Ofsted conducted a short inspection of St Ignatius RC Primary School on 9 May 2019, following its previous judgment of good in May 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, along with governors, has established a shared vision prioritizing pupils' welfare. They have developed a skilled team of leaders and teachers who effectively promote pupils' progress. The school has addressed the priorities from the last inspection, ensuring that pupils learn well and make progress.
One of the key areas for improvement from the previous inspection was to ensure that teachers have high expectations of all pupils. The leadership has successfully communicated the steps taken to enhance teaching quality, resulting in high staff morale as evidenced by positive survey responses. During the inspection, it was clear that teachers are confident in implementing new teaching approaches, particularly in writing. The school improvement plan is well-defined and regularly monitored by leaders and governors.
The curriculum is rich and engaging, fostering a love of learning among pupils. They express great interest in various topics, such as the Romans and Mysterious Materials. Teachers provide a well-rounded curriculum that includes numerous trips and visitors, enhancing the educational experience. The school serves a diverse multicultural community, and pupils appreciate their similarities and differences, recognizing their shared identity as part of one family. Leaders actively engage the community, and pupils celebrate their own and others' cultures, such as through visits to local places of worship.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with the leadership ensuring that all arrangements are appropriate. Policies and procedures are up to date, and staff receive regular training, enabling them to respond appropriately to any concerns regarding child safety. Pupils are educated about safety, including internet use, and they know whom to approach if they have problems. While there have been past incidents of bullying, pupils report that these issues are now addressed promptly, and parents affirm that their children feel safe at school.
The inspection focused on several key areas, including the attainment of pupils in key stages 1 and 2, which has improved in reading, writing, and mathematics. However, boys do not achieve as well as girls. The leadership has responded by redesigning the curriculum to include boy-friendly texts and emphasizing conceptual understanding in mathematics. Effective tracking systems are in place to monitor pupils' understanding, guiding teachers in their instruction.
Work in pupils' books indicates that they take pride in their work, with neat handwriting and good presentation. Teachers have successfully implemented strategies to enhance writing skills, enabling pupils to write effectively across various formats. In mathematics, pupils demonstrate a solid understanding of numbers and sequences, although there is a need for more opportunities to apply their skills in problem-solving contexts. The efforts to improve the performance of disadvantaged pupils are ongoing, with targeted workshops and resource packs showing positive impacts.
Attendance remains a challenge, although leaders are working closely with families to improve it. Their efforts have led to a reduction in persistent absenteeism, but some parents still do not share the school's high expectations regarding attendance. The next steps for the school include providing more opportunities for pupils to apply their mathematical skills, continuing to improve the achievement of disadvantaged pupils, and ensuring that attendance aligns with national averages. The inspection findings highlight the school's strengths while identifying areas for further development to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
