St Thomas of Canterbury RC School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Over time, pupils make good progress from their broadly average starting points and usually reach above average standards in writing and mathematics at the end of Year 6. Standards in reading are even higher.

Teaching is good because it is built on strong subject knowledge. Pupils engage in interesting learning activities, which inspire them to value education. Because of the range of engaging activities offered, children leave the Early Years Foundation Stage having made good progress towards developing early reading, writing and mathematics skills.

Behaviour is typically good. Pupils are keen to do well, have excellent relationships wi...th their teachers and feel safe in school. Attendance is above average.

There are remarkably few pupils who are persistently absent. The exceptionally rich and varied curriculum makes full use of sport and high-quality art and music provision to promote pupils' enjoyment of learning. Strong leadership of teaching means that pupils' achievement is good.

Teamwork between all staff, including the many additional adults, is highly effective. The headteacher and senior staff, have the confidence of staff, parents and pupils alike. The school's own evaluation of its performance is accurate and is based on a rigorous evaluation of pupils' achievement, which in turn identifies how the school can improve further.

Governors provide a high level of support and challenge to the school. The governing body has an extremely clear understanding of the school's strengths, including teaching and pupils' achievement, and the few areas where improvement is needed. It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is not enough outstanding teaching to help pupils to make excellent progress.

Marking does not consistently give pupils sufficient guidance on how to improve their work. The work set is sometimes too easy and does not stretch the most able pupils. Not all middle leaders have the necessary skills to rigorously check the quality of teaching and ensure school policies are implemented consistently.

Information about this school

This is a larger-than-average size primary school. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is below average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority.

The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage. There is a small proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of pupils supported at school action is below average.

The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The school met the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress at the end of Year 6. Since the previous inspection, St Thomas of Canterbury School has been part of a major expansion project at the request of the local authority and Salford Diocese.

It is now a two-form entry school with facilities to meet the needs of 420 pupils. The expansion project (2010) brought with it an increase of 'in year' admissions due to places becoming available in Key Stage 2. One-fifth of the pupils in Years 5 and 6 joined the school at times other than the normal September admission time.

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