St Oswald’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Accrington

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. St Oswald's is exceptionally good at meeting the needs of all pupils who attend.

As a result, pupils achieve exceptionally well from very low starting points. By the end of Year 6, attainment is above that expected nationally. The outstanding leadership of the headteacher is very strongly supported by staff and governors in a relentless drive for improvement.

Teaching is outstanding and is constantly adjusted to meet the changing learning needs of pupils. Excellent assessment, marking and pupil involvement in checking their own work ensure that pupils always make the best progress. Many children enter the early years with identif...iable learning needs, but the school meets these exceptionally well.

The outdoor area is well utilised but lacking in resources to help fully promote children's active learning and physical development. The support for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is exemplary. Consequently, pupils' behaviour and relationships with adults and each other are outstanding.

Their attitudes to learning are excellent. Pupils say they feel extremely safe and very well cared for. There are excellent systems in place for checking the school's work.

Outstanding planning and staff training ensure that the school is very well placed to maintain high quality teaching and pupils' outstanding achievement. The school has excellent partnerships with parents, working together to promote the highest levels of achievement and personal development for pupils. Governors are fully involved in all aspects of the school's work and hold the school to account exceptionally well.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average-sized primary school. The proportion of girls is well above average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is well above average, with the proportion speaking English as an additional language well above average, including a significant proportion within the early years that are in the first stage of language acquisition.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium is well above average and constitutes a majority of the school population. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is well above average.

The proportion supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational need, is well above average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school operates a before and after-school club.