St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, Coppull

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Oswald's Catholic Primary School is a friendly and caring school where pupils are safe and happy.

Pupils work hard to meet the high expectations that the school has for their achievement. They benefit from many carefully planned experiences such as outdoor and adventurous activities, learning to play a musical instrument and a wide range of sporting opportunities. Children in the early years make a strong start to their education.

They learn to work cooperatively and to consider the feelings of others.

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well. They rise to the high expectations that staff have of them....

Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Pupils behave well. Those pupils who need extra help in managing their emotions receive effective support from staff who understand and care for them.

Pupils are proud to contribute to the life of the school. They enjoy taking part in fundraising activities for local and international causes. Older pupils take on various responsibilities, for example as playleaders and school councillors.

These experiences help to develop pupils' understanding of what it means to contribute to the school community. They become resilient and independent young people.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has ensured that the curriculum is ambitious for all pupils, including those with SEND.

The key knowledge that pupils should learn is carefully organised from the Reception class to Year 6. The curriculum is arranged so that it meets the needs of pupils in the mixed-age classes across the school. Staff appreciate the detailed information that they receive about the curriculum.

This supports their workload and well-being.

The curriculum sets out the knowledge that pupils should learn and the order in which staff should teach it. The school provides high-quality training and support that help staff to deliver the curriculum well.

Mostly, teachers design appropriate and engaging activities that enable pupils to enjoy and deepen their learning over time. However, on occasion, teachers do not select the most appropriate activities to support pupils' learning. When this happens, some pupils do not learn the key curriculum knowledge as well as they should.

Staff regularly check on what pupils know and remember. Staff use their strong subject knowledge to address any gaps and misconceptions that pupils may have. This prepares pupils well to move on to new learning.

The school has prioritised the teaching of reading. There is an exciting and varied range of books available to all pupils. These books have been carefully selected to offer a rich and diverse range of reading experiences.

Throughout school, pupils read widely and regularly. They understand the importance of reading and how it will help them in later life.The school has adopted a suitable phonics programme that enables children in the Reception class, and pupils in key stage 1, to develop their knowledge of letters and sounds effectively.

All staff deliver the phonics curriculum well. This ensures that pupils become confident and fluent readers. Any pupils who are struggling to read benefit from extra sessions that help them to catch up quickly.

The school is ambitious for pupils with SEND. It identifies their additional needs accurately. This enables teachers to give these pupils the help that they need.

The school ensures that pupils with SEND build their confidence and self-esteem. These pupils are successful in learning all that they should. They participate fully in the same curriculum and wider opportunities as their peers.

Pupils behave well in class and when moving around the school. They play happily together at breaktime and at lunchtime. Pupils are attentive during lessons, including in the Reception class.

They are polite and respectful to adults and to each other. Pupils attend school regularly. The school provides effective support for the small number of pupils who need to improve their behaviour or their attendance.

Pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities that support their wider development. They know how to keep themselves safe, including online. Pupils know what makes a healthy relationship and how to look after their physical and mental health.

Everyone is welcomed and included at St Oswald's and pupils know that discrimination is unacceptable.

Parents hold the school in high regard. They appreciate the family feel of school, the approachability of the staff and the wide range of opportunities available for pupils.

Well-informed governors have a thorough knowledge of the school's work. They provide appropriate support and challenge to the school and they ensure that resources are used effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• On occasion, teachers do not match learning activities sufficiently well to the knowledge that the school has identified for pupils to learn. This means that, at times, some pupils do not learn key curriculum knowledge as well as they should. The school should ensure that teachers receive the training that they need to design learning activities that help pupils to learn the curriculum in sufficient depth.