St Joseph’s Stockport Catholic Primary School, located in Stockport, Cheshire, underwent an inspection on 28 and 29 September 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, alongside the quality of education and early years provision. However, the behaviour and attitudes of pupils, as well as their personal development, were rated as good. The school previously received a good rating in its last inspection in June 2017.
Pupils at St Joseph’s enjoy attending the school, describing it as a supportive environment where they feel safe and valued. They appreciate the caring relationships they have with staff and express that the school feels like a happy family. Pupils engage positively in lessons and social activities, demonstrating an understanding of the high expectations set by school leaders regarding their work and behaviour. The school offers a variety of lunchtime activities, including dancing and sports, which pupils value.
The school has a strong anti-bullying culture, with pupils confident in raising concerns through designated channels. They trust staff to address any issues promptly. Leadership opportunities are available for older pupils, such as becoming school councillors, which fosters a sense of responsibility and community involvement. Pupils also participate in charitable activities, such as supporting local food banks.
Despite the positive aspects of the school environment, there are significant areas for improvement in the academic curriculum. While leaders have established a broad curriculum, the implementation and delivery of this curriculum are inconsistent. Some subjects lack clarity in outlining the essential knowledge that pupils should acquire, leading to underachievement in those areas. Although some subjects are well-structured, others do not provide sufficient detail on what pupils will learn, hindering their progress.
Teachers are actively checking pupils’ understanding during lessons, which helps them keep pace with the curriculum. However, these checks do not always identify gaps in knowledge, which can impede learning. Additionally, while leaders have made efforts to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, some teachers do not adequately consider these pupils' needs, resulting in insufficient progress for these students.
The school promotes a love of reading, with a systematic phonics program in place that is well-delivered by trained staff. This has led to many pupils becoming confident readers. However, the curriculum does not sufficiently outline how reading skills develop over time, which limits overall achievement in this area.
Behaviour in the school is generally good, with pupils adhering to established routines and showing respect for one another. Leaders are committed to fostering responsible citizenship among pupils, teaching them about diversity and the importance of mental health.
Staff express pride in their work at the school, noting that leaders are approachable and considerate of their workload. Governors are actively involved in holding leaders accountable and have a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses. They recognize the need for ongoing improvement and have established a vision focused on enhancing educational quality.
The safeguarding arrangements at St Joseph’s are effective, with a strong culture of safety and well-trained staff who can identify signs of abuse or neglect. The school’s curriculum includes lessons on staying safe, which helps pupils understand potential dangers and develop healthy relationships.
In summary, while St Joseph’s Stockport Catholic Primary School has a supportive environment and good behaviour among pupils, it faces challenges in curriculum delivery and ensuring all pupils achieve their potential. Addressing these issues will be crucial for the school’s improvement moving forward.
