St Gerard’s RC Junior and Infant School in Castle Vale, Birmingham, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on March 13 and 14, 2023. The school fosters a happy and harmonious environment where pupils are taught the values of equality and respect. Initiatives like ‘Friendship February’ and ‘Make me smile March’ emphasize kindness and care, contributing to a community where pupils are thoughtful, polite, and considerate. The behavior of the students is exemplary both in lessons and throughout the school.
The leadership team, including the acting headteacher and senior leaders, maintain high expectations for all pupils and have developed a curriculum that supports achievement across a wide range of subjects. While some subjects show strong pupil performance, others are still in the process of refinement. Leaders are actively working to enhance their expertise to ensure that all subjects receive equal attention and support.
Pupils feel cared for and safe, trusting adults to assist them with academic challenges or personal concerns. The school effectively addresses any instances of bullying, ensuring a secure environment for all students. Leaders aim to instill pride in the local community, teaching pupils about Castle Vale and Birmingham while also broadening their experiences through trips and visitors.
The school has made significant strides since September 2022, when the deputy headteacher took on the role of acting headteacher. With support from a senior leader from another school, they have established a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring progress during a transitional period.
Recent curriculum reviews have been conducted, with subject leaders outlining the knowledge pupils should acquire from early years through Year 6. In subjects like mathematics, the curriculum is well-structured, allowing pupils to build knowledge progressively. Teachers make informed decisions about activities that facilitate learning, leading to positive outcomes for pupils.
However, in some subjects, teachers may not always prioritize the most critical knowledge or may present content in a less logical order. This can lead to gaps in understanding for some pupils. Additionally, while the school supports pupils with special educational needs and disabilities effectively, there are still a few who do not receive sufficient targeted teaching in early reading, which affects their progress.
Pupils engage in daily reading, with skilled staff teaching phonics to younger students. Those who struggle receive additional support, although a small number still lag behind. The school’s established rules and routines create a calm and focused learning environment, allowing pupils to concentrate on their studies.
The curriculum includes education about major world religions, fostering tolerance and care for others. Pupils participate in various after-school sports clubs, which are popular and well-attended. The well-being of staff is a priority for leaders, who actively check in on their workload and provide support.
The safeguarding arrangements at St Gerard’s are effective, with staff trained to recognize signs that a pupil may need help. Leaders understand the local community context and offer support to families, ensuring that pupils learn about safety in a timely manner.
To improve further, the school needs to enhance the implementation of the curriculum in a few subjects and ensure that all pupils, particularly those in the early stages of learning to read, receive adequate support to catch up quickly. Overall, St Gerard’s RC Junior and Infant School continues to provide a nurturing and effective educational experience for its pupils.
