St. Paul’s Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher is an effective leader of the school ably supported by the recently appointed acting deputy, school leaders and skilled governors.

Pupils now make good progress across the school. Standards at the end of each key stage are either above or close to national averages, with an improving trend since the last inspection. School leaders have increased knowledge and understanding of their areas of responsibility.

This is shared coherently across the school and as a result, confidence and effectiveness of leaders has substantially improved. Governors are passionate and proactive in seeking support. They are aware of the strengths ...and weaknesses of the school.

Governors are therefore well placed to provide the appropriate challenge. As they move through the school, disadvantaged pupils make good progress, given their low starting points. Their personal, social and academic needs are well met.

Teaching is good. Leaders provide clear and focused feedback on lesson observations and hold teachers to account. This directly improves outcomes for learners.

Pupils are extremely thoughtful, polite and well mannered. This is underpinned by the strong Christian values which permeate the school. Safeguarding throughout the school is effective.

Pupils are happy, feel safe and know how to assess potential dangers within and beyond the school. Transition to school is a positive process and children in the early years get a nurturing and safe start to school life. Phonics teaching has greatly improved and pupils apply their skills well to reading and writing.

Provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities has improved. Assessment systems in the early years are not detailed or focused enough to ensure that each child is making the progress they should across all areas of learning. Outcomes for the most able pupils are not as high as they could be.

Knowledge, skills and understanding are not yet effectively developed across the curriculum.

Information about this school

The school does not meet requirements on the publication of information about the curriculum. The school is an average-sized primary school.

The proportion of girls and boys varies across the year groups. Children attend Foundation 1 Year on a part-time basis. Foundation 1 Year is only open for the morning sessions.

Most pupils are of a White British heritage. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is lower than national.

Since the last inspection, the school has experienced some staffing changes and has undertaken a restructuring of the leadership team. The school met the government's floor standards in 2016. These are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

A private provider offers a breakfast and after-school club on the school's premises. This provision is subject to separate inspection arrangements. Inspection reports may be viewed on the Ofsted website.