St William’s Catholic Primary School in Wigan has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on December 13 and 14, 2023. The school is characterized by a warm and welcoming environment where pupils are happy and form strong friendships. The behavior of the students is exceptional, marked by kindness, consideration, and respect towards each other and the adults in the school. The atmosphere is calm, allowing for focused learning, and pupils enjoy engaging and sociable playtimes.
The school has a clear vision for preparing pupils for their future, raising expectations for all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Pupils take pride in their learning and generally achieve well. The school provides a wealth of experiences that help develop pupils' confidence, such as residential trips that encourage resilience and personal growth through outdoor activities.
Leadership opportunities are available for pupils, including roles as school councillors and reading ambassadors, which they embrace enthusiastically. The school ensures that all pupils, including those with SEND, can participate in these activities. The curriculum is being improved in a thoughtful manner, with careful consideration of staff workload and well-being. Staff trial new initiatives before implementing them school-wide, ensuring that changes are effective and manageable.
Subject leadership is prioritized, with leaders drawing on educational research and professional training to enhance their knowledge. This has enabled them to define the essential vocabulary and knowledge that pupils need to learn across all subjects from early years to Year 6. However, the school acknowledges that some subject curriculums are more established than others, leading to uneven delivery in a few areas. Teachers have developed expertise in delivering well-established curriculums, but newer subjects require further development to ensure consistent quality.
Staff are adept at identifying pupils' additional needs early on and provide necessary support, particularly for those with SEND. In many subjects, teachers effectively assess what pupils know and can do, helping them build on their knowledge. However, in some newer subjects, assessment practices are still developing, which can slow the learning process for some pupils.
Communication and language development are central to early learning, with staff engaging children in high-quality conversations that prepare them for reading. The phonics curriculum is delivered consistently well, and pupils who struggle receive effective support to catch up. The love of reading is fostered from the Nursery class, where children actively participate in choosing books to be read to them.
The school emphasizes the importance of pupils' wider development, teaching them to embrace diversity and understand healthy relationships. Pupils learn about mental and physical health, online safety, and practical skills such as budgeting and cooking nutritious meals. This holistic approach prepares them well for future challenges.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Moving forward, the school aims to refine its subject curriculums further and enhance staff support to ensure consistent delivery across all subjects. The school remains committed to providing a high-quality education that meets the needs of all its pupils, fostering an environment where they can thrive academically and personally.
