St Paul’s CofE Primary School, Astley Bridge

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Paul's is an exciting place to learn.

Pupils thrive in this happy school. Relationships between adults and pupils are exceptionally strong. The school's 'four pillars' help to ensure that everybody is made to feel welcome and respected.

Children in the early years, along with any new pupils in other year groups, settle into school life quickly.

Pupils know that the school expects them to be 'ready, respectful and safe.' This inspires them to be the very best that they can be.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They show great consideration and politeness towards others. Pupils glow with pride when they receive 'smart cards' in recognition of their su...perb attitudes to school life.

The school is steadfast in its determination for every pupil to succeed. It has high expectations for pupils' academic achievement. Children in the early years get off to a flying start.

Pupils across the school, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are remarkably well prepared for the next stage in their education.

Pupils make a highly tangible contribution to school life. They relish the responsibilities that leaders trust them to carry out.

These include being playground leaders, e-safety champions, and members of the junior leadership team.

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

The school is relentless in its pursuit to empower pupils in becoming independent and inquisitive learners. Working with the trust, the school has designed an engaging curriculum from the early years to Year 6 that successfully meets pupils' needs and interests.

The school serves a diverse community. Many children who join the school in the early years and in other year groups, speak English as an additional language. Staff support these children to develop strong communication and language skills.

The school ensures that pupils have mastered the foundational knowledge in subjects before moving on to more difficult concepts. There are regular opportunities to revisit learning. Staff identify and quickly address any gaps in learning.

Pupils make strong connections between new knowledge and prior learning. This helps them to gain an impressive depth of knowledge.

The school skilfully identifies and addresses the additional needs of pupils with SEND.

Most pupils with SEND access the same curriculum as their peers. Where required, the school has well matched individual learning plans in place. As a result, pupils with SEND progress well through the curriculum.

Reading is at the heart of pupils' learning. Pupil reading ambassadors talk with pride of the reading café sessions that they lead. Children in the Nursery classes, including those who access the two-year-old provision, are immersed in rhymes and stories.

This helps them to build an understanding of new vocabulary and sounds quickly. Children are well prepared to learn phonics when they join the Reception Year.Well-trained staff expertly deliver phonics sessions.

They build pupils' reading knowledge effectively with books that closely match the sounds that pupils know and understand. Pupils who struggle to read, including those who speak English as an additional language, benefit from well-matched additional support. The vast majority of pupils become fluent readers by the time that they leave the school.

The school regularly reviews the curriculum. This helps to inform its work to further enhance the already exceptional educational offer to pupils. Staff embrace the ongoing professional development that they receive.

They value the support and training that the school and trust provides them. This develops staff's expertise and helps them to refine their practice, while ensuring that their workload is manageable.

In the early years, children focus fully on the task at hand.

Pupils have an impressive work ethic. They enjoy learning and take considerable pride in the work that they produce. The school prioritises pupils' attendance.

A small proportion of pupils do not attend school as regularly as they should. The school has a clear understanding of the reasons for this. It works closely with parents and carers to support these pupils to attend school more regularly.

The school's work to ensure that pupils develop as well-rounded young people is noteworthy. Pupils discuss topical issues with deep understanding and empathy. They have an impressive understanding of equality.

Pupils learn in depth how to look after their mental health. Pupil well-being leaders provide regular 'breathing' sessions with their peers. Pupils use journals to 'write about their feelings.'

They describe these approaches as helping them to be calm.

Pupils benefit greatly from the vast array of high-quality enrichment activities on offer, such as visiting law firms, courts and watching live orchestras. They build their confidence through learning in the school's 'Wild Wood' and through activities such as trampolining.

Trustees work effectively with the local governing body to hold the school to account for the quality of education that pupils receive. They help to ensure that pupils continue to receive an outstanding education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.