St Mary’s Catholic Junior School in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, underwent an inspection on 22 and 23 November 2022, resulting in an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education was also rated as Requires Improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, as well as personal development, were rated as Good. Leadership and management were similarly rated as Requires Improvement. The school has faced considerable instability in leadership since its last inspection, which has impacted its performance. Despite this, leaders have focused on improving the curriculum and have raised expectations for pupil achievement. However, many changes have been recent, and pupils have not yet fully benefited from the improved curriculum, leading to uneven knowledge across subjects.
Pupils at St Mary’s contribute to a friendly and welcoming environment, demonstrating politeness and respect towards each other and adults. They understand the behaviour expectations set by staff and generally reflect these expectations in their conduct. The school is described as a calm and purposeful place for learning and play. Pupils appreciate the care shown by staff and take on responsibilities, such as those on the safeguarding council, seriously. They are aware that bullying is not tolerated and that staff address any concerns effectively.
While leaders have made strides in curriculum improvements, the pace of these changes has only recently accelerated. Collaboration with external consultants has enhanced leaders' curriculum expertise, leading to a well-structured curriculum aligned with national standards. However, the effectiveness of assessment practices varies across subjects. In some areas, teachers effectively use assessment information to ensure pupils grasp essential knowledge before progressing. In contrast, in other subjects, assessment checks are less effective, resulting in some pupils not achieving their potential.
Some subject leaders are new to their roles and have had limited opportunities to monitor the quality of teaching in their subjects. Others have conducted checks but have not always followed up rigorously, leading to inconsistencies in curriculum delivery. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has also left some pupils in Years 3 and 4 with gaps in phonics knowledge. While leaders have initiated actions to address these gaps, not all staff are adequately trained to deliver the phonics curriculum effectively, which affects pupils' reading fluency and overall access to the curriculum.
Pupils have access to a variety of high-quality texts, fostering positive reading habits and a love for reading. Leaders select books that broaden pupils' understanding of diversity, preparing them for the wider world. The school has effective systems to identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), but not all staff adapt their teaching to support these pupils adequately, resulting in some not accessing the curriculum as well as their peers.
Leaders prioritize pupils' broader development, offering opportunities for participation in various sporting and cultural events, which helps build self-confidence. The school has a positive atmosphere, with lessons generally free from disruption due to poor behaviour. Governors have provided steady guidance through a period of uncertainty, utilizing available information to monitor school performance effectively. Staff morale is high, and they appreciate the support provided by leaders to manage their workload.
The safeguarding arrangements at St Mary’s are effective, with staff trained to recognize and report any concerns promptly. Leaders ensure that the curriculum includes opportunities for pupils to learn about safety, both online and in the community. To improve, the school needs to ensure consistent delivery of the phonics program, provide better guidance for teachers on assessing and building on prior learning, and enhance staff expertise in supporting pupils with SEND. Additionally, subject leaders must increase their oversight of curriculum quality to ensure high standards across all classes.
