St Philip’s Catholic Primary School is recognized as a good school, providing a friendly and welcoming environment for its pupils. The school fosters a happy atmosphere where students feel a strong sense of belonging within a caring community. Parents express their gratitude for being part of this community, highlighting the positive impact it has on their children. Pupils actively embody the school’s values and Catholic ethos, demonstrating happiness and pride in their school motto, Let Your Light Shine.
Students exhibit positive attitudes towards learning and enjoy attending school. The leadership team, including the headteacher and governors, maintains high expectations for all pupils. Teachers create engaging lessons and activities that stimulate and challenge students, fostering trusting relationships between pupils and staff. This inclusive environment encourages pupils to express themselves confidently, knowing their contributions are valued.
Behavior in the school is commendable, with pupils working and playing well together. They feel safe and secure, reporting no incidents of bullying, and they trust staff to address any concerns. The school provides a good quality of education, supported by effective leadership that has a clear vision for pupil learning. The curriculum is well-structured, particularly in core subjects like reading, writing, mathematics, and religious education. Recent efforts have been made to enhance the foundation subjects, ensuring that knowledge and skills are systematically organized.
Teachers effectively connect new learning with prior knowledge, allowing pupils to engage in discussions and collaborative learning. Reading is prioritized from the Reception Year, with a structured phonics program that supports early literacy development. Children receive additional support when needed, fostering a love for reading that continues throughout their education. The curriculum is rich and broad, with high-quality training for staff that enhances their skills. Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive appropriate support, ensuring they have equal opportunities to learn.
Teachers also enrich pupils' experiences through trips, clubs, and special events, such as team-building activities and visits from professionals. Parents appreciate the variety of activities offered, which contribute to their children's development. The school promotes respect and kindness, teaching pupils to understand and accept diverse needs within the community.
Parents express high satisfaction with the school and its leadership, noting the strong support among staff. Leaders are attentive to staff well-being and workload, fostering a collaborative environment. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff trained to recognize and address any signs of distress among pupils. Leaders maintain vigilance in ensuring a nurturing environment that supports pupil well-being.
To continue improving, the school has recently revised its medium-term plans for foundation subjects, ensuring logical sequencing and clear standards. Ongoing evaluation of the curriculum is essential to ensure that pupils retain knowledge over time. Additionally, a new approach to guided reading has been introduced to enhance comprehension and inference skills, requiring consistent implementation across the school.
Overall, St Philip’s Catholic Primary School is committed to providing a high-quality education in a supportive and nurturing environment, with a focus on continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils.
