St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Under the strong and determined leadership of the headteacher, well supported by the skilled deputy headteacher, an ethos of high expectations has been created. Leaders are committed to eradicating anything that is second best and ambitious to improve further. Leaders' continuing ambition to eliminate underperformance and to provide the best teaching, outcomes and experiences for all pupils is translated into action, and this means the school is continuing to improve.

Outcomes for pupils are good. Current pupils are making strong progress from their individual starting points. Key stage 1 pupils' skills and attainment are much improved since the p...revious inspection.

Children in the early years make a solid start to their learning. They work happily and cooperatively together, making strong progress to reach standards that are broadly average by the time they leave the Reception class. As a result of consistently good teaching and assessment, pupils learn quickly and apply their skills across all subjects.

Teachers usually match work accurately to pupils' abilities, but occasionally work can lack challenge, especially for the most able pupils. Only a small number are working at a greater depth of understanding at the end of Year 6. Pupils write often and in a range of subjects, but their skills in handwriting, spelling and presentation vary in quality.

Leaders' monitoring of the quality of provision in English and mathematics is rigorous and detailed. Subject leaders' skills across the wider curriculum still require further development. Leaders' effective use of the pupil premium funding has resulted in the difference between the progress and attainment of disadvantaged pupils and their peers diminishing rapidly, especially in key stage 1.

Leaders' tracking of pupils' and groups of pupils' progress in English and mathematics requires further refinement. The assessment and tracking of progress in creative and foundation subjects is not well developed. The behaviour of pupils is good.

They have respect and care for each other, displaying good manners. Pupils' personal development and welfare, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are outstanding. Governors share the leaders' passion and ambition to improve the school further.

They play a key role in the school's ongoing success and keep a sharp eye on actions being taken to ensure further improvements. They are very well informed, and know the school inside out.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils who speak English as their first language is below average. The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for support from the pupil premium and the proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above the national average.

The school meets the current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for attainment and progress in English and mathematics at the end of Year 6. The school's part-time Nursery operates in the morning and afternoon for three days every week. Reception children attend on a full-time basis every day.