St Gilbert’s RC Primary School, located in Eccles, Manchester, underwent an inspection on March 21 and 22, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas such as the quality of education and leadership and management also marked as requiring improvement. However, the school demonstrated good performance in behavior and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision. The previous inspection in June 2014 had rated the school as outstanding, indicating a significant shift in performance.
Pupils at St Gilbert’s develop strong values, showing fairness and embracing diversity. They understand the contributions of various individuals throughout history and are encouraged by leaders to believe in their potential to positively impact their community. The school environment fosters a sense of belonging, with pupils feeling happy and safe. They are aware of what constitutes bullying and trust the staff to address any incidents effectively.
Leaders have high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and many pupils become proficient readers and confident mathematicians. However, there are concerns regarding the uneven achievement across the curriculum, particularly in subjects where the curriculum is still being refined. This inconsistency in learning outcomes is attributed to the early stages of curriculum improvement efforts by the leaders.
The school has made strides in certain subjects, where leaders have clearly defined the content to be taught and the methods for delivery. Teachers in these areas effectively introduce essential knowledge and ensure that pupils can recall it. However, in other subjects, the lack of clarity regarding what pupils need to learn hinders their ability to build on prior knowledge, resulting in inconsistent recall across the curriculum.
Reading is a priority at St Gilbert’s, with pupils encouraged to read widely, contributing to their strong reading achievements. The early years curriculum is well-structured, ensuring that children develop essential skills before entering the Reception Year. Staff are trained to deliver the phonics curriculum effectively, supporting pupils who struggle with reading. Nonetheless, there are instances where the reading materials do not align closely with the phonics knowledge acquired, which can slow the progress of some pupils.
While leaders are adept at identifying pupils with SEND, the support provided is not consistently effective across the curriculum. This inconsistency can impede the learning of some pupils with SEND, limiting their access to the same educational opportunities as their peers. In the early years, children quickly adapt to school expectations and display enthusiasm for learning, while older pupils focus on their studies and contribute positively to the school environment.
The school promotes personal development through various initiatives, including fundraising and charity work, which help pupils develop a sense of responsibility and community awareness. Staff morale is high, and they appreciate the consideration given to their workload and well-being by the leadership team. However, the governing body has faced challenges in providing rigorous oversight, although recent changes have led to improved support and challenge for school leaders.
The safeguarding arrangements at St Gilbert’s are effective, with staff trained to recognize and respond to concerns regarding pupil safety. Leaders maintain strong communication with external agencies to support pupils and their families. Overall, while St Gilbert’s RC Primary School has strengths in personal development and early years provision, it faces challenges in ensuring consistent achievement across the curriculum and providing adequate support for pupils with SEND. The school is on a path of improvement, but further work is needed to realize its ambitious vision for all pupils.
