Ofsted conducted a short inspection of St Francis Catholic Primary School on 10 July 2019, following its previous good rating in May 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to provide a good quality of education. The leadership team, including the headteacher, has effectively maintained and improved educational standards while fostering a caring Christian ethos and a strong sense of community. Parents, staff, and pupils expressed overwhelming positivity about the school, highlighting the approachability of leaders and the high academic standards. Pupils reported feeling safe and happy, demonstrating positive attitudes towards learning and collaboration in lessons.
The school has high aspirations for its pupils, with standards at the end of key stage two meeting or exceeding national figures, particularly in mathematics, where performance is notably strong. Disadvantaged pupils and those who speak English as an additional language achieve well, often matching or exceeding the performance of their peers nationally. While pupils make strong progress across subjects, there are opportunities for improvement in writing, where some activities may limit their ability to fully express their knowledge and understanding.
Governors are well-informed about the school and provide effective support and challenge. They frequently visit to engage with staff, pupils, and parents, demonstrating pride in their association with the school. The leadership team has responded to previous inspection recommendations by enhancing the quality of teaching in mathematics and writing, ensuring that the most able pupils make consistent progress. Training has been provided to staff to improve their confidence in teaching mathematics, resulting in significantly positive outcomes.
The school has also implemented the ‘Power of Reading’ approach to enhance reading and writing, which has positively impacted teachers' subject knowledge and pupils' enthusiasm for reading. The curriculum is being developed to ensure deep learning and knowledge retention, with a focus on building on prior learning as pupils progress through the school. In early years, explicit teaching of letter formation has led to confident learners who enjoy writing.
Safeguarding is a strength of the school, with effective arrangements in place to ensure pupil safety. Staff are well-trained and vigilant, quickly identifying and addressing any concerns. The school promotes a culture of safety and well-being, with pupils feeling secure and supported. The school has achieved recognition as a UNICEF Rights Respecting School and is actively involved in initiatives that promote pupil leadership and responsibility.
The inspection findings highlighted the effectiveness of the curriculum in preparing pupils for life in modern Britain, with a broad and balanced approach that reflects the school's Catholic ethos. The thematic curriculum, including engaging theme weeks, provides stimulating experiences for pupils. The quality of writing across subjects is high, with a focus on vocabulary development and presentation. The school is committed to providing further opportunities for independent writing and enhancing pupils' skills.
Next steps for the school include continuing to develop the thematic curriculum and ensuring that writing opportunities promote independence and progress. The leadership team is dedicated to maintaining the school's positive trajectory and addressing areas for further development, ensuring that all pupils achieve their full potential.
