St Marie's Catholic Primary School, located in Northwood, Kirkby, Liverpool, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on June 9-10, 2021. The school fosters an environment where pupils feel valued and supported, with staff dedicated to encouraging students to perform to the best of their abilities. This commitment is reflected in the positive behavior exhibited by the pupils, who are noted for their politeness and willingness to assist others, such as holding doors open for adults and greeting visitors with smiles. The school provides a broad curriculum that includes essential subjects like mathematics and reading, ensuring that pupils are making good progress in their learning.
Pupils express a strong sense of safety within the school environment, reporting that misbehavior is addressed promptly by teachers. The school has effective measures in place to combat bullying, with pupils confident that any incidents will be dealt with swiftly by staff. The supportive atmosphere extends to the care provided by teachers, who are seen as reliable figures by the students. The school also emphasizes the importance of extracurricular activities, with pupils participating in various events and trips, including visits to local attractions and charity fundraising efforts that embody the school's Christian values.
The leadership at St Marie's is commendable, as they have developed a curriculum that meets the national standards and is accessible to all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The school offers additional activities to enhance pupils' learning experiences, such as visits to art galleries and various clubs that cater to diverse interests. The structured approach to teaching reading and mathematics is evident, with a clear progression in learning that supports pupils' development. The reading curriculum has been particularly well-received, with a focus on high-quality texts that enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills.
In the early years, children are introduced to phonics effectively, laying a strong foundation for their reading skills. However, there are some challenges noted in key stage one, where a few pupils struggle with reading materials that may be too advanced for their current level. This indicates a need for teachers to ensure that pupils have ample opportunities to practice and consolidate their phonics knowledge before progressing to more difficult texts.
Mathematics instruction is well-organized, with clear expectations set for what pupils should learn at each stage. Teachers effectively engage with students to build their mathematical vocabulary and understanding. The school has also made adjustments to its curriculum in response to learning disruptions caused by the pandemic, ensuring that pupils can catch up on missed content.
While the overall behavior of pupils is positive, with high expectations set by staff, there are occasional lapses in adherence to the planned curriculum in subjects like geography. Leaders are aware of this and are taking steps to provide training to ensure consistent delivery of knowledge across all subjects.
The safeguarding measures in place are robust, with staff trained to recognize and respond to potential risks to pupils. The school prioritizes the well-being of its students, teaching them about various safety issues, including internet safety. Overall, St Marie's Catholic Primary School continues to provide a supportive and effective educational environment, with a clear path for improvement in specific areas to enhance the learning experience for all pupils.
