St Polycarp’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Leadership and management are excellent. The headteacher is firmly committed to raising pupils' achievement and has sustained high standards since the previous inspection.

Her vision is shared by the highly effective governing body and the dedicated staff team. Children get off to an excellent start in the Reception class due to the first-rate provision in the early years. Pupils of all abilities make outstanding progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

Their standards are well above average by the end of Year 6. High-quality teaching engages, challenges and motivates pupils. Information on pupils' achievement is very accura...tely used to plan work for pupils of all abilities.

Pupils' behaviour is outstanding. They have extremely positive attitudes and rise to the expectation that they will make every effort to succeed. Pupils feel entirely safe in school.

They are very supportive of each other, attend very well and are punctual. Parents and carers hold the school in high regard. 'I couldn't have chosen a better school', was typical of their comments.

The range of subjects and activities offered by the school stimulates pupils' interest and successfully promotes their academic and personal development. An extensive range of sporting and cultural activities develops pupils' physical and emotional well-being. Extensive work has been done to develop a manageable and useful assessment system, taking into account the new National Curriculum.

The school is working successfully to establish this system.

Information about this school

The school is a larger than the average-sized primary school. The majority of pupils are White British; the proportion from minority ethnic groups is above average.

Over a quarter of pupils speak English as an additional language, which is an above average proportion and has increased rapidly over the last two years. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils, for whom the school receives additional funding through the pupil premium, is below average. The pupil premium provides additional funding for children who are looked after by the local authority or those known to be eligible for free school meals.

In 2014, the number of disadvantaged pupils in Year 6 was very small. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is broadly average. These needs relate mainly to moderate learning or physical difficulties.

Children in the early years attend full time in two Reception classes. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The headteacher is a Local Leader of Education.

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