St Paul’s and St Timothy’s Catholic Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Paul's and St Timothy's has improved since the last inspection.

Teachers know pupils well.

Pupils enjoy their learning and find it fun. They confidently shared how well they learn in reading, writing and mathematics.

This is a school where everyone feels included.

Adults are ambitious to help pupils learn and achieve as well as they can.

Pupils run into school happy and excited about the day ahead. Caring staff welcome pupils.

Parents and carers say that staff 'are very approachable'. Pupils feel safe in school. They know that adults care about them and will always help them if they need help.

Many children have just sta...rted school in Reception. They have settled and learned the routines and expectations of the school quickly.

Pupils behave well.

They are polite, talk nicely to each other and are keen to do what staff ask them to. The strong Christian ethos is clear. It is captured in the school aspiration: 'live life to the full'.

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

Leaders have greatly improved the curriculum they offer to pupils. They are clear and confident about what they have chosen to teach and there are high expectations of what pupils should learn. They have thought carefully about the order that lessons should be taught in.

Teachers organise learning to help pupils remember.

These improvements are most effective in reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils become confident readers, writers and mathematicians.

They achieve well in these subjects by the time they leave the school. Pupils use what they know to solve mathematical problems or to help them work things out quickly.

In some subjects, for example science and geography, leaders have ensured that pupils' learning builds on what they already know.

This helps pupils to know and remember more in these subjects. In other subjects, such as art and physical education (PE), teachers are still adapting their approach. They have designed new plans carefully.

However, these are relatively new and need time to settle in.

Reading is important in school. Children start to learn phonics as soon as they start in Reception.

Teachers develop a love of reading by offering ideas and workshops for parents. Teachers choose reading books carefully to make sure they match the sounds that pupils know. Pupils' phonics achievement has noticeably improved.

An above-average proportion of pupils met the expected standard in the national phonics screening check in 2019.

The teaching of writing is closely linked to reading and phonics. Teachers encourage Reception children to write as soon as they start school.

By the time they enter Year 1, many children are beginning to write short sentences. Teachers use stories to spark pupils' imagination and try out different ways of writing.

Leaders and staff are committed to all pupils achieving their very best.

They are quick to notice and help if a pupil is struggling. The school supports pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) extremely well.

Pupils are well mannered.

They enjoy lessons and listen carefully. They live out the school's behaviour values of respect and kindness. For example, they share and play cooperatively in the playground.

Staff are experts at helping pupils who struggle with their behaviour. They take time to understand why a pupil is behaving in a certain way and then put things in place to help them. There is no evidence of bullying in school.

However, not many pupils know what bullying is.

Staff encourage pupils to join after-school clubs including boxing, cookery and animation club. Pupils show their Christian values through charity work.

They really enjoy the responsibilities they have in school. For example, on the eco or school council, as playground leaders or kitchen helpers.

Children in Reception get off to a good start.

Teachers plan together and offer children opportunities to learn, explore and be creative. They follow children's interests and ask the right questions to help children learn for themselves. They encourage children to be inquisitive about the world around them.

Classrooms have inviting areas to count, write, read, play or build. Children are well prepared for starting Year 1. Although children enjoy playing outdoors there are few opportunities for them to develop physically, for example through climbing and balancing.

Leaders, staff and governors have worked hard to turn this school around. Leaders lead from the front and have inspired staff. Governors play a helpful and active part in improving the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is a caring and nurturing ethos in the school. All staff are alert to keeping pupils safe.

The safeguarding and protection of pupils is extremely important to staff. They make sure that all policies and procedures are in place and that everyone knows them in detail. Leaders are confident to act if they are concerned about a pupil and work well with other professionals when pupils or families need help.

The pastoral care in the school is a strength. Staff ensure that pupils and their families are well looked after and supported.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Leaders have concentrated on making sure that the subject areas of reading, writing and mathematics are of a good quality.

This is also the case in science and geography. In other subjects, such as art and PE, this approach is still relatively new and has not had time to be fully implemented. It is clear from the actions that leaders have taken to plan the foundation curriculum and train staff in how to deliver it that they are in the process of bringing this about.

This will help pupils to know and remember more across the curriculum. . When asked what bullying was, pupils were very unsure.

Staff should work with pupils to ensure they all know what bullying is. This will help pupils to report any bullying, should it occur. .

Children in the early years have opportunities to develop their physical skills but these are sometimes limited. Leaders should make sure that children in Reception classes have plenty of opportunities to develop and consolidate their physical, gross motor skills more broadly.The transition arrangements were used on this inspection to confirm that pupils benefit from a good quality of education.