The Faber Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

The Faber Catholic Primary is a good school.

The headteacher provides a clear sense of purpose and direction which is clearly linked to well-identified school improvement priorities. The effective teamwork of all leaders and staff, together with the governing body, has ensured that teaching and learning and standards have improved. The school has a supportive atmosphere where pupils feel welcome and cared for.

Parents and carers told inspectors that they value the family atmosphere at the school, with one saying, 'There is an ethos of valuing each child as an individual and a nurturing approach which encourages the children to thrive at Faber.' Children make good progress in Reception from st...arting points that are often below expectations, especially in writing and language skills. In 2011 standards in Year 6 national tests were average overall and just above average in English.

More-able pupils reached the higher levels in English because effective targeting has helped to keep pupils on track to attain the levels they are capable of. The performance of pupils is tracked very closely, with particular attention to the progress of those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Assessment procedures have improved since the previous inspection and there are good examples of marking that shows pupils what they need to do to improve.

However, this is not the case in all subjects. Teaching is good and teachers have high expectations of what their pupils are capable of doing. However, opportunities are sometimes missed when pupils are not given enough time to write at length, or use their mathematical skills in other curriculum areas.

Monitoring by the headteacher is good and sufficiently rigorous, providing teachers with clear feedback on how to improve. Monitoring by some subject leaders focuses too much on what the teacher is doing rather than its impact on pupils' learning and feedback to teachers is less focused. The school has a good track record of improvement and a good understanding of how well it is doing and what needs to be done next.

Consequently it has a good capacity to improve. Pupils' personal development is good and they have a good understanding of how to keep safe and be healthy. Parents and carers say their children enjoy coming to school and pupils agree.

Pupils are well behaved and display positive attitudes to their learning. They work hard, and this has a positive effect on the progress they make in lessons. The curriculum ensures that pupils receive a good variety of exciting activities and experiences and is enriched by visits and visitors to school.

Pupils enjoy the range of after-school activities and clubs. Good arrangements for care, guidance and support ensure that all pupils are able to develop confidence, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Information about the school

This small rural Catholic primary school takes some pupils from the local village but most from surrounding areas.

There are currently three classes. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. The number of pupils identified as having special educational needs and/or disabilities is just above average.

The school has gained Healthy School's status and the Activemark award. The governing body has been part of a federation since January 2011 and supports the Faber Catholic primary school, five other local primary schools and a secondary school with a sixth form. The governing body is also responsible for a breakfast club on the school site.