St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Pupils join the school performing in line with age-related expectations.

With good teaching, they achieve well and in recent years have reached above-average levels in English and mathematics by the age of 11. Last year, the progress made by pupils in English and mathematics was in line with the national average. However, rigorous teacher assessment shows that increasing proportions of pupils are now making faster progress and are achieving well in both Key Stage 1 and 2.

Teaching over time is good because most activities are carefully planned to meet pupils' needs. Their work is very carefully marked, particularly in their English books,... and teachers give pupils very precise suggestions for improvement. The headteacher understands what needs to be done to further improve the school.

Her priorities include checking teaching to make effective changes to the pace with which pupils learn and checking pupils' progress. Staff and governors share her vision and ambition. Governors make sure that they are well informed and are prepared to challenge as well as support school leaders.

Pupils speak very positively about their school, behave well and have a very clear sense of right and wrong. Leaders promote pupils' reflections upon behaviour as a high priority and, as a result, pupils are respectful and treat adults and each other with great courtesy. Provision in the school for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strong.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching is not yet outstanding because : pupils who are capable of making more progress are not always set hard enough work or asked questions that make them think deeply about topics. Marking in subjects other than English and mathematics is not consistently detailed and pupils are not always clear about how to reach the next levels. They are not always sure about how to use skills learned in English lessons to write well in other subjects.

Information about this school

The school is a slightly smaller-than-average-sized primary school. The Early Years Foundation Stage is provided in a Nursery and a Reception class. The proportion of pupils eligible for support from the pupil premium (extra money provided by the government for pupils including those eligible for free school meals) is below the national average.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is in line with the national average. The largest group is of White British heritage, with the next largest groups having Other White and Irish heritage. The proportion of pupils speaking English as an additional language, while growing, is slightly below the national average.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported at school action is slightly below the national average, and the proportions supported at school action plus or with special educational needs are lower than the national average. The school meets the current floor standards, which are the minimum standards for attainment and progress expected by the government. The school has, since the last inspection, opened a Nursery class and made changes to the leadership team, with new appointments this year to literacy and numeracy leadership roles.