St Peter's Catholic Primary School in Hazel Grove, Stockport, has been recognized for its outstanding performance during the inspection conducted on September 10-11, 2013. The school has shown remarkable progress since its previous inspection, where it was rated as good. The current inspection highlights the school’s overall effectiveness as outstanding, with exceptional achievements in various areas including pupil achievement, quality of teaching, behavior and safety, and leadership and management.
The school has demonstrated that the majority of its pupils, including those with disabilities and special educational needs, make outstanding progress from their starting points. A significant number of students achieve higher than expected levels in reading, writing, and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The teaching staff collaborates effectively to ensure that pupils understand their learning objectives and how to improve their work, supported by a robust marking system. The Early Years Foundation Stage staff work closely with parents, fostering an environment where children feel confident and eager to learn from the outset.
Pupil behavior is exemplary, as they are encouraged to reflect on their learning and support one another, contributing to a nurturing school environment. The school’s commitment to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is exceptional, creating a safe and supportive atmosphere for all students. The headteacher, along with senior leaders and a strong governing body, inspires a culture of high achievement, ensuring that teaching quality remains consistently good or outstanding.
The school has established strong relationships with parents, who are actively involved in their children's education and kept informed about school activities. The rigorous school improvement planning holds all staff accountable, leading to a recognition of the need to enhance the provision for information and communication technology to further support outstanding teaching and learning.
During the inspection, the team observed a variety of lessons and conducted discussions with pupils, staff, and governors. They reviewed numerous documents related to safeguarding, attendance, behavior, and pupil progress. The school is characterized as average-sized, with most pupils being White British and English speakers. The proportion of pupils receiving additional support is lower than average, and the school meets the government’s floor standards for pupil attainment and progress.
To further improve, the school aims to enhance its information and communication technology provision, ensuring that it meets the needs of both pupils and teachers. The inspection concluded that the school’s achievements are among the highest locally and nationally, with children in the Early Years Foundation Stage showing high levels of concentration and independence.
Overall, St Peter's Catholic Primary School exemplifies excellence in education, with a strong focus on pupil achievement, quality teaching, and a supportive learning environment. The school’s commitment to continuous improvement and community involvement positions it as a leading institution in the area, dedicated to providing an outstanding educational experience for all its pupils.
