Cathcart Street Primary School in Birkenhead, Wirral, underwent an inspection on March 26 and 27, 2024, and received an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all rated as Requires Improvement, while early years provision was rated as Good. The school has experienced a decline in educational quality over time, leading to underachievement among various pupil groups. Previous leadership turbulence contributed to this decline, but recent changes in leadership have brought more stability. New subject curriculums are beginning to show promise, and there are signs of improvement in pupils' attainment.
Pupils express happiness in attending the school and feel cared for by the staff. They appreciate the kindness and friendliness of their teachers and enjoy participating in school life, such as the eco-committee's recent award for playground improvements. However, the school has struggled to maintain a consistently high quality of education, resulting in some pupils not achieving their potential. While some classes have seen higher expectations for behaviour, this is not uniform across the school, leading to occasional disruptions in learning.
The school has made recent changes to its curriculum, which are beginning to benefit pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The early years foundation stage has a well-defined curriculum that is effectively delivered, preparing children for future learning. However, the previous curriculum lacked structure, leading to gaps in pupils' knowledge. The new curriculum is more clearly defined, but some subjects still require finalization, leaving teachers uncertain about implementation. This inconsistency can hinder pupils' learning experiences.
Pupils with special educational needs are identified early, and support is provided promptly, allowing them to progress in subjects where the curriculum is well-defined. The school has prioritized reading, with regular story sharing and effective phonics training for staff, resulting in improved reading abilities among pupils. Attendance has also become a focus, with the school engaging effectively with parents to address previous attendance issues, leading to higher attendance rates.
The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports and educational visits, which enrich pupils' learning experiences. Pupils are encouraged to support their local community through charitable activities and learn about different religions and beliefs through visitor-led sessions. However, the governing body has faced challenges in effectively overseeing the school's performance, although new governors are beginning to improve this situation. There is still work to be done to ensure robust systems are in place for evaluating pupil achievement.
The school engages well with staff, addressing their concerns about workload and ensuring that changes are implemented thoughtfully. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for pupils. To improve, the school needs to establish clearer expectations for behaviour across all classes, finalize curriculum planning in certain subjects, and enhance assessment strategies to better identify and address gaps in learning. By focusing on these areas, the school can work towards providing a more consistent and high-quality educational experience for all its pupils.
