St Vincent’s Voluntary Catholic Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The skilful and resolute leadership of the executive headteacher and head of school designate and the hard work of the whole school team have transformed learning since the school converted to become an academy. The school has rapidly improved because : senior leaders and trust directors have tackled previous weaknesses with rigour.

Leaders' and directors of the trust's continuing ambition to eradicate underperformance and to provide the best experiences for all pupils is translated into action, and this means the school is continuing to improve. The school benefits from a highly positive and caring culture in which kindness is promoted and valued.... Outcomes for pupils are now good.

Current pupils are mostly making strong progress from their individual starting points. Children in the early years are making a solid start in their learning. They benefit from a stimulating and engaging learning environment, working happily and cooperatively together.

As a result of good teaching, pupils learn quickly and can apply their skills across all subjects. Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Leaders' planned and agreed actions to improve teaching still further are not yet consistently applied in every class.

Occasionally, some teachers do not provide work that is suitably challenging for pupils, including the most able and most able disadvantaged pupils. As a result, some lose concentration and become distracted, and their progress can slow. The behaviour of pupils is good.

They have respect and care for each other and are polite and friendly. They display excellent manners. Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning, work well together and are motivated to succeed.

Some directors of the trust are new to the school and are still developing in their understanding and knowledge of it. Leaders have detailed plans to improve the school still further. Nevertheless, these plans lack a sharp focus on improving the quality of teaching, and on the progress pupils make in their learning.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish. St Vincent's Voluntary Catholic Academy is smaller than the average-sized primary school and is a member of the St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic Academy Trust.

The trust is governed by a board of directors. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium is below the national average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups and who speak English as an additional language is well above average.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is above average. Early years provision is full time in the Reception Year. The school meets the current floor standard, which is the government's minimum expectation for attainment and progress in English and mathematics at the end of Year 6.