St Hugh of Lincoln RC Primary School, located on Glastonbury Road in Stretford, was inspected on February 6 and 7, 2024. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good, maintaining a high standard of education across various aspects. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as good. The school was previously inspected 15 years ago and received an outstanding grade, reflecting its long-standing commitment to educational excellence.
The school environment is welcoming and nurturing, with a strong sense of community. Pupils feel safe and secure, supported by friendly and attentive staff. The school promotes a culture of acceptance and inclusivity, where differences among pupils are embraced. During social times, pupils engage in various activities, fostering a calm and organized atmosphere. The school has high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring that they achieve well across subjects. Notably, pupils with a talent for mathematics excel by the end of Year 6.
Pupils are provided with numerous opportunities to explore their interests and develop their talents. They have access to music lessons and participate in performing arts clubs, showcasing their skills through school plays. The school also encourages participation in sports competitions, with pupils taking pride in their achievements in local and regional tournaments.
Despite a period of interim leadership, the school has effectively maintained its standards and continued to develop its curriculum. The curriculum is broad, balanced, and ambitious, with clear expectations for what pupils should learn each year. The school has outlined essential knowledge for various subjects and has carefully considered the sequence in which content is taught, helping pupils build a solid foundation of knowledge.
Teachers employ effective strategies to assess pupil learning, quickly identifying errors and misconceptions. The school conducts regular checks on the curriculum's quality and its impact on learning, although this is done with varying precision across subjects. This inconsistency can sometimes hinder the school's ability to address deficiencies in certain areas promptly.
The school is proactive in identifying pupils with additional needs and provides effective support to ensure they can learn alongside their peers. A new phonics program was introduced last year, and it is implemented consistently, enabling pupils to become confident readers. The school fosters a love of reading through carefully selected class novels and additional nonfiction reading sessions that enhance learning in various subjects.
Pupils' personal development is well supported, with opportunities for charitable engagement and various roles within the school community. They learn to respect diverse backgrounds and develop positive relationships, understanding the importance of online safety and British values. The school promotes regular attendance and a positive attitude towards learning, with pupils actively engaged in lessons.
Governors fulfill their responsibilities effectively and are mindful of staff workload, implementing changes to reduce marking burdens. The safeguarding arrangements are robust, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Overall, while the school excels in many areas, it should refine its oversight of subject curriculums to enhance the delivery and impact of learning across all subjects.
