St Philip’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. St Philip's is a good school and rapidly improving.

It is well respected by the local community. Good leadership and management have improved the overall effectiveness since the last inspection. Teaching has improved to good because of the effective action by leaders and governors.

As a result, pupils' achievement is now good. Well-planned lessons taught by teachers, supported by well-trained assistants, meet all pupils' needs, including those of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, who achieve well. Parents and carers believe the school provides a good education for their children and prepares them well for the futu...re.

Pupils' behaviour is good and they say they feel safe in school. They are proud of their school and represent it well within the community. They are polite towards each other and adults.

Their attendance is above average. The governing body is well organised and fulfils all its duties well. It provides the school with a good level of support and monitors the school's effectiveness closely.

Governors are not afraid to challenge the school when required to do so and/or make crucial decisions. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers' marking does not always ensure that pupils have a clear understanding of what they need to do in order to improve their work. Examples of outstanding teaching are not shared sufficiently among the staff as a whole.

The pace of learning in a minority of lessons is too slow and hinders progress. The new team of subject leaders has not as yet had sufficient time fully to monitor their areas of responsibility.

Information about this school

St Philip's is an average size primary school.

The headteacher is currently on leave of absence and the school is being led by an acting headteacher, supported by a consultant headteacher. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well above average. The pupil premium provides funding for children in local authority care, those known to be eligible for free school meals and those with a parent or carer in the armed forces.

The percentage of pupils from a minority ethnic background is well above average. Almost half the pupils in school speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs who are supported at school action is below average but the proportion on school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is well above the national average.

These needs include speech, language and communication and social and emotional difficulties. Children attending the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in one Nursery and one Reception class. The school meets the current government floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6.