St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils very much enjoy learning at this school. The school encourages pupils to act responsibly and to care for others.

Leaders set very high academic expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils work hard to meet these standards.

The school places a strong emphasis on shaping pupils' positive attitudes to learning.

The school encourages pupils to think before they act and to find solutions to problems. Pupils are safe and have an adult that they can speak to if they have any worries. Typically reflecting this, one pupil said, 'Everyone is caring to each other, and no one leaves anyone out in g...ames.'



The school provides a rich and diverse set of personal development opportunities for all pupils. Pupils attend clubs for yoga, fitness and Irish dancing. They are proud student leaders in sports, music and other activities.

For example, sports ambassadors enthusiastically set up and pack away games for other pupils during breaktimes. Pupils learn to play musical instruments, and all regularly take part in singing. The school organises frequent fundraising events for the local community and national charities.

For instance, pupils sang to raise money for a local homeless charity.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The curriculum is highly ambitious. At times, it surpasses national curriculum expectations.

For example, pupils in Year 5 used their knowledge of mathematics and geography during a project to calculate the school's carbon footprint. Pupils build their learning securely across a wide range of subjects, including art, music, and design and technology. The school oversees staff workload and ensures that it is manageable.

Subject leaders are experts. Curriculums carefully build pupils' knowledge over time because these leaders have pinpointed the key knowledge that pupils should know and remember. Each subject is designed so that pupils revisit important knowledge regularly.

A focus on subject-specific vocabulary from early years ensures that children are equipped to answer questions confidently across many subjects. For example, in science, pupils gradually build their knowledge of plants with increasing confidence. In geography, older pupils can answer 'big questions' such as 'What makes weather happen?' and 'Will we ever run out of water?'

The school provides regular staff training.

With this training, and access to support from expert staff, teachers have the know-how and resources that they need to teach effectively across all year groups.

The school supports pupils to learn to read very effectively. This work starts from the beginning of Reception, where teachers support pupils to practise new sounds.

Pupils receive reading lessons daily. Those who need help to improve their fluency are quickly identified and provided with all the support that they need. Leaders inspire pupils' love of reading by organising book fairs, inviting adults to come and speak to pupils, and filling the library with books rich in vocabulary.

In the early years, children love listening to teachers read to them new and familiar stories.

Pupils are consistently focused in classes and respectful when they move around the school. They are kind and support one another.

Staff in the early years instil essential social skills, including turn-taking, sharing and listening. Leaders work persistently to support pupils who need help to improve their attendance. As a result, pupils' attendance rates are very high.

The school's personal development curriculum covers topics such as life skills, financial literacy and mental well-being. Through the curriculum, pupils revisit common topics each year, so that pupils build their knowledge and skills in these themes each year. The school plans every educational visit so that it supports pupils to learn the curriculum.

For example, pupils in Years 3 and 4 visited Epping Forest to learn about orienteering and the natural environment. Leaders have carefully designed a large programme of clubs, outings and pupil leadership opportunities. Pupils enjoy their roles as travel ambassadors and librarians.

The 'green team' has planted flowers in the playground. Pupils regularly take part in class debates, where they listen respectfully to those with different points of view.

The school identifies pupils with SEND very quickly.

Pupils with SEND settle in school well. They are fully included in learning and regularly participate in extra-curricular activities. Leaders ensure that staff have the required training to support the needs of pupils with SEND.

This includes work with outside agencies where necessary.

Effective support for parents and carers is a distinctive feature of the school. As one parent said, 'It is the most wonderful community.

Not just a school, but a place to really feel you belong and are supported.' Those responsible for governance check that the school fulfils its statutory duties.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.