Stella Maris Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Achievement across the school is good because teaching has improved and it is now usually good and sometimes outstanding. The proportion of pupils making and exceeding expected progress is above average, especially in reading. Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, together with pupils entitled to support under the pupil premium, and pupils who speak English as an additional language, also make good progress.

Phonics teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage and by the end Key Stage 1 is good and so pupils develop their skills for reading and writing well. Behaviour in lessons and around the school is good, and ...pupils' attitudes are very positive. Pupils enjoy coming to school, as is reflected in their above-average attendance.

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted well across the school in lessons, through displays and in the daily acts of collective worship. Leaders and managers, including governors, have improved the quality of teaching significantly since the last inspection, demonstrating good capacity to improve further. Parents and carers hold positive views about the school and all who responded on Parent View said they would recommend the school to another parent or carer.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching is not yet outstanding in all year groups. Achievement in writing is not as good as that in reading, where achievement is particularly good, or mathematics, especially for more able pupils. Opportunities for pupils to read and act on teachers' feedback are limited.

Although progress for all groups of pupils is above average, there are sometimes small but noticeable gaps between the achievement of boys and girls. Middle leaders are not held fully to account for standards in core subjects.

Information about this school

The size of the school is below average.

Each year group has its own class and there is one Reception class in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The proportion of pupils entitled to support under the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for looked-after children, those known to be eligible for free school meals and other groups) is above the national average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is average, with a higher-than-average proportion learning English as an additional language.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs supported at school action is above average, while the proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The majority of these include pupils with moderate learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders. The school currently meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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