St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Warrington has been recognized as a good school following its inspection in January 2020. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils feel proud to attend. Relationships among students and staff are strong, contributing to a happy learning atmosphere. Pupils express that they feel safe and are confident in approaching staff with any concerns. The staff maintain high expectations for all students, making lessons engaging and enjoyable. Most pupils demonstrate a strong work ethic and achieve commendable results. Those with special educational needs and disabilities receive effective support, ensuring their inclusion in the learning process.
Social interactions among pupils are encouraged, with friendships forming across different year groups. Supervision during break and lunch times is effective, leading to generally good behavior. While some pupils report instances of bullying, staff are quick to address these issues. The school promotes an active voice for pupils through roles such as school councillors and digital leaders, and offers a variety of after-school clubs and trips that enhance their educational experiences.
Parents and carers generally express satisfaction with the education provided, highlighting the positive development of their children in a supportive environment. The leadership team, including staff and governors, is committed to ensuring that all pupils receive a strong educational foundation. The curriculum covers a full range of national subjects, with careful planning that outlines what pupils should learn. Subject leaders regularly assess the effectiveness of curriculum planning, although there are occasional disruptions to learning due to poor behavior.
Reading is a primary focus for the school, with efforts made to develop pupils into confident readers. Pupils enjoy reading and utilize their phonics knowledge effectively. However, leaders are eager to enhance reading outcomes further and have introduced new strategies for teaching phonics and reading. It remains too early to assess the full impact of these changes. Additionally, there is a need for increased access to books that deepen learning in subjects like science, history, and geography.
Mathematical skills are developed from an early age, with teachers demonstrating secure subject knowledge and effective assessment practices. Pupils show enthusiasm for geography, recalling previous learning and demonstrating knowledge of the United Kingdom and its capital cities. The curriculum is designed to be accessible to all, with strong collaboration between leaders, families, and external agencies to support pupils with special educational needs.
The early years provision is particularly strong, with nearly all children achieving a good level of development. The learning environment is well-resourced and stimulating, promoting language development and healthy habits. Pupils learn about various faiths and cultures, and participate in trips that broaden their educational experiences. The school prioritizes the physical and mental well-being of its pupils, and staff appreciate the efforts made by leaders to reduce their workload.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with a high priority placed on the safety of pupils. Staff are trained to recognize signs of abuse or neglect, and support is provided to families in need. The school is committed to ensuring that all pupils are kept safe, particularly in online environments.
To improve further, leaders recognize the need to enhance phonics and reading outcomes across the school. They have implemented new initiatives but must ensure these are fully embedded for sustained improvement. Additionally, increasing access to a broader range of reading materials and promoting a love of reading in key stages one and two are essential. Addressing low-level disruptions in the classroom will also be a focus to ensure that learning is not interrupted. Overall, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School continues to provide a good education, with clear pathways for further enhancement.