St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Achievement has continued to improve since the last inspection.

Pupils make outstanding progress in reading, writing and mathematics from their individual starting points. Standards are now above average overall by the end of Year 6. Teaching has improved.

It has an outstanding impact on pupils' achievement. Staff know pupils as individuals and regular checks on how well they are doing make sure that all pupils are taught in the appropriate reading, writing and mathematics teaching groups. This helps pupils make excellent progress in lessons.

Disadvantaged and disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs ...are extremely well provided for and, as a result, they achieve well. Skilful teaching assistants make an extremely strong contribution to pupils' progress. They know exactly what pupils need to learn and support different groups of pupils highly effectively.

Children, including those who are new to speaking English as an additional language, get off to a great start in early years. Because of the excellent provision made for them they swiftly develop the skills and confidence to learn at a rapid rate. Behaviour is exemplary.

Pupils are immensely proud of their school. They are keen to talk about all that they have learned and achieved at St Patrick's. Excellent pastoral care from all staff creates a warm, safe environment where relationships flourish and pupils contribute in many ways to making the school a happy place.

As a result pupils thrive academically and personally. A lively curriculum captures pupils' interests and motivates them to do well. Pupils are often deeply absorbed in the activities provided and enjoy many opportunities to experience successful learning.

All this adds significantly to their confidence and they become enthusiastic, resilient learners. The headteacher's outstanding leadership, and the excellent support of senior and middle leaders, staff and governors, has led to strong improvements in all aspects of the school's work. Leaders keep all areas of the school's performance under regular review; they are constantly seeking ways to make it even better.

For example, they know that a few of the most able pupils are capable of doing even better in writing and have taken firm steps to bring these improvements about. Governance is outstanding. Governors are extremely well-informed about the school's performance and challenge leaders effectively.

Information about this school

The school is a larger than the average-sized primary school. The school is situated in three buildings on a shared site. Nursery children join the school in the term after their third birthday.

There is a higher than average proportion of boys in most year groups. Most year groups are organised into mixed-age classes. Nursery is taught in one class.

There are three mixed Reception and Year 1 classes, three mixed Year 2 and Year 3 classes and three mixed Year 4 and Year 5 classes and Year 6 is taught in one class. All pupils, except those in the Nursery class, learn reading, writing and mathematics in groups arranged according to ability. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language has doubled since the last inspection and is now above average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for support through pupil premium funding is well-above average. (This additional funding is provided for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority.

) A number of pupils are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is broadly average. The school has experienced some staffing changes since the previous inspection.

The deputy headteacher retired in September 2013. At that time the leadership team was reorganised and the school is now led by the headteacher and five assistant headteachers. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

Before- and after-school and holiday clubs are provided for pupils. This provision is managed by the governors. The school holds the Leading Parent Partnership Award and the Arts Mark Silver Award.

The school is an active member of the local cluster of schools. A member of the leadership team has been seconded two days a week to support the school-led teaching training programme School Direct. A member of the leadership team provides some sessions for student teachers at Liverpool Hope University.