St Richard’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Overall, teaching is good. Pupils learn well during a large majority of lessons because : they engage successfully with what they are taught and the topics they study excite them. Pupils' attainment at the end of Key Stage 2 has improved since the previous inspection and is higher than average.

Pupils' results in writing are particularly good. From their low starting points, pupils make very good progress in reading and writing. Pupils supported through the pupil premium achieve well and their test results were above the national average in 2013.

Pupils' behaviour is good and they have high expectations of their own behaviour. T...his contributes to the good progress they make. The pupils feel safe and the school provides them with very good support and care.

The school is warm and welcoming and staff are proud to be part of it. They recognise that they are accountable for pupils' achievement and they make the most of the good opportunities for training. The leadership of the school is good because : the high expectations of the headteacher, other leaders and governors have ensured that standards of education have improved.

It is not yet an outstanding school because: The progress made by a few of the most able pupils in mathematics is not yet as good as it is in reading and writing. Lessons do not always sufficiently challenge the most able pupils, especially in mathematics. Pupils do not regularly have opportunities in lessons to act upon the advice given in their teachers' marking and do not always fully understand how to improve their work.

Information about this school

This is a smaller-than-average size primary school. The school was part of a federation with the local secondary school until February 2013, when it de-federated. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

Pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds who speak English as an additional language are represented in very high numbers. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is average. The pupil premium provides additional funding for children in the care of the local authority and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs and supported by school action is below average. The number supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is in line with that found nationally. A significant number of pupils join the school at times other than in Reception.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. There are seven classes: one class in each year group from Reception to Year 6. The school operates a breakfast club.