St Thomas More Catholic Primary, A Voluntary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Skilful leadership; effective governance; the strong influence of the Catholic Diocese of Hallam; as well as good input from the local authority, underpin the school's success.

Pupils' achievements, the quality of teaching, leadership and management, and governance have all moved from inadequate to good, which is a great accomplishment. The quality of the Early Years Foundation Stage has also improved from satisfactory to good over the same period of 18 months. The latest academic tracking data indicates that the accelerated progress now evident throughout the school and over the past 12 months in particular, is set to continue.

The scho...ol has weaned itself off the intensive support it was subject to and now operates effectively and efficiently on its own. The areas the school was charged with improving at the previous inspection have been tackled well and quickly. Pupils with special educational needs and those who are supported by the pupil premium make good progress.

The school has cultivated a welcoming and inclusive ethos with very positive relationships between pupils and staff, and among pupils. Pupils' behaviour is good. Pupils feel safe and secure.

They are polite, considerate and respectful, routinely exhibiting the Christian values the school endorses. Pupils' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is effectively promoted. The school has benefitted from effective partnerships which have helped its progress.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : The impact of the school's work in some aspects requires further improvement, such as attendance and outdoor provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Not every pupil's progress is yet good or better, and not all of their attainments are high, especially in writing. With the need to achieve this consistency, despite the big gains made, the school remains on a journey towards being an outstanding provider of education.

Information about this school

At this smaller than average-sized primary school the large majority of pupils are White British. The remaining small numbers of pupils originate from a wide range of minority ethnic heritages. The proportion of pupils who are believed to speak English as an additional language is low.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is lower than average. This is additional government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, children in the care of the local authority or children with a parent in the armed services). The proportions of pupils supported at school action, school action plus or who have a statement of special educational need are higher than national averages.

Their needs range from Autistic Spectrum Disorders to physical disabilities, and behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. All of the pupils are educated at the school and none receive alternative provision. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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