St James’ Catholic Primary School is recognized as a good school, providing a nurturing and supportive environment for its pupils. The school fosters strong relationships between students and staff, contributing to a positive atmosphere where pupils feel happy and safe. Following the challenges posed by COVID-19, students expressed their joy at returning to school and reconnecting with friends. The school promotes good behavior among pupils, who understand the concept of bullying and know that staff are available to help if issues arise. This supportive environment ensures that pupils feel secure and valued.
The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including clubs and educational visits, which enhance the learning experience. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, are encouraged to participate in the school’s brass band, fostering independence, social skills, and self-confidence. The school emphasizes respect and inclusivity, with pupils demonstrating a solid understanding of diversity and the mission statement of the school, which focuses on learning to follow Jesus.
Leadership at St James’ is characterized by high ambitions for all pupils, with governors and staff working collaboratively to improve educational outcomes. Recent improvements in the reading and mathematics curriculums have led to better pupil achievement in these areas. The school has implemented a broad and ambitious curriculum, with teachers delivering lessons effectively across many subjects. Pupils enjoy their learning experiences and are engaged in all subjects, including those with special educational needs.
However, the school acknowledges areas for improvement. Leaders have identified the need to enhance pupils’ achievement in phonics and have sought support from the local authority and diocese to address this. While many subjects are well-planned and delivered, there is variability in how effectively the curriculum is structured across different subjects. Some subject leaders lack the necessary knowledge and skills to drive improvements, which can hinder the overall development of the curriculum. Consequently, some subjects are more advanced than others.
In subjects like music, teachers effectively introduce complex instruments at appropriate times, allowing pupils to build on their existing knowledge. However, in other subjects, there is a lack of coherence in how learning is sequenced, which can lead to gaps in pupils’ understanding. For instance, while pupils could discuss ancient Mayan gods in detail, they struggled to recall information about Roman and ancient Egyptian gods.
The reading curriculum is effective, with early years staff engaging children in rhymes and stories, and phonics instruction beginning as soon as children are ready. Teachers ensure that reading materials align with the sounds pupils are learning, and regular assessments help track progress. Pupils develop confidence in their reading abilities and appreciate the importance of reading.
The mathematics curriculum is also well-organized, starting in the early years and providing clear learning objectives. Pupils receive effective support if they struggle, leading to strong achievement in mathematics. Overall, pupils exhibit positive behavior in lessons and during playtimes, demonstrating politeness and respect towards others.
Staff at St James’ enjoy their work and feel supported by leadership, which considers their workload. The school prioritizes safeguarding, with staff trained to recognize and address concerns about pupils’ well-being. The curriculum includes lessons on safety, helping pupils understand the importance of good friendships and online safety.
To further improve, the school must ensure that all subject plans clearly define learning objectives and build on prior knowledge. This will help pupils retain and apply their learning more effectively across all subjects. By enhancing the skills of subject leaders, the school can ensure a more consistent and high-quality educational experience for all pupils.
