St Jerome's Catholic Primary School, located in Formby, Liverpool, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on April 18 and 19, 2023. The school fosters a welcoming environment where pupils feel happy and safe, benefiting from strong relationships with both peers and staff. Pupils express trust in their teachers, believing that they will receive support for any concerns or worries. The school has effective measures in place to identify and address bullying, ensuring a secure atmosphere for all students.
The leadership team at St Jerome's is ambitious, aiming for all pupils to succeed academically while also developing as well-rounded individuals. Most students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, achieve well across various subjects. The school encourages leadership roles among pupils, such as older students serving as reading ambassadors to promote a love of reading among younger peers. Additionally, the school council organizes fundraising activities for local and international charities, which helps cultivate self-confidence and empathy among students.
Staff at St Jerome's maintain high expectations for pupil behavior, and many students strive to meet these standards, demonstrating politeness and good manners. The school’s mission statement emphasizes respect for everyone in the community, which pupils actively embody. The curriculum is designed to be ambitious and well-structured, allowing pupils to acquire key knowledge progressively from early years through to Year 6. However, there was a noted decline in writing attainment for Year 6 pupils in 2022 compared to national averages. Leaders have recognized this issue and have taken steps to address weaknesses in the writing curriculum, ensuring that teachers are more vigilant in identifying gaps in pupils' writing knowledge.
While most subjects have undergone recent curriculum revisions, a few areas still require further development to ensure that learning builds effectively on prior knowledge. Teachers generally assess pupils' understanding over time and provide opportunities for revisiting previous learning, which is crucial for building a solid foundation of knowledge. However, in some subjects, there is a lack of consistency in the implementation of the curriculum, leading to some pupils not achieving their full potential.
The phonics program is initiated in the Reception Year, with ongoing support for pupils in Key Stage 1 to develop their phonics knowledge. This structured approach helps pupils quickly learn letter sounds, and additional support is provided for those who need it. Reading is promoted effectively throughout the school, with pupils in Key Stage 1 reading books that match their phonics knowledge, while Key Stage 2 pupils engage with a variety of texts.
The school has robust systems in place to identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they receive appropriate support and access to the same curriculum as their peers. Pupils exhibit good behavior and attentiveness in lessons, allowing for a focused learning environment. The school prepares pupils for life in modern Britain by teaching them about healthy relationships and respect for diversity.
Governors play an active role in supporting and challenging school leaders, while staff express positive sentiments about their work environment and the support they receive. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff trained to recognize and respond to potential risks to pupils. Overall, St Jerome's Catholic Primary School continues to provide a good educational experience, with clear areas for improvement identified to enhance the quality of education further.
