Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Shrewsbury Cathedral Catholic Primary School and Nursery on July 12, 2019, following its previous judgment of good in November 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team, under the strong guidance of Mrs. Sarah Coggins, has successfully brought stability to the school after a challenging period. The ethos of the school reflects its Catholic values, fostering a hardworking, caring, and respectful environment.
Since the last inspection, the on-site nursery has been integrated into the school, and the improvements made have raised standards in early years education. The leadership has implemented effective teaching and learning strategies, and staff members are dedicated to supporting the school’s vision. The school is now part of The Blessed Edward Campion Federation, which enhances collaboration between the two primary schools, allowing for shared expertise and joint curriculum planning, particularly in supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
The school has seen an increase in pupils who are at the early stages of learning English and those who join at non-standard times, often with complex needs. The staff provides commendable support for these pupils. Following the last inspection, the school was tasked with broadening pupils' reading experiences, providing more challenging work for the most able, and closely monitoring the impact of teaching improvements. Although progress in these areas was initially limited, the current leadership is addressing these recommendations effectively.
Curriculum planning and monitoring have improved, ensuring that the most able pupils are generally challenged, although there are occasional instances where the work may be too easy. The teaching of reading has become more effective, although there is still room for improvement. The governing body demonstrates a solid understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses, regularly meeting to fulfill its responsibilities and holding leaders accountable.
Parental support for the school is overwhelmingly positive, with most parents expressing satisfaction with their children's happiness and progress. Safeguarding measures are robust, with effective arrangements in place to protect pupils. Staff training on safeguarding issues is regular and comprehensive, ensuring that staff are vigilant and aware of potential risks.
The inspection focused on pupils' progress in reading and writing, noting that previous weaknesses in teaching had affected outcomes. However, recent actions to standardize teaching approaches have led to significant improvements, with unvalidated test results indicating that pupils performed well in 2019. The proportion of pupils achieving expected standards in reading and writing has risen above national figures.
Most children entering Nursery or Reception have developmental levels below expectations, but strong teaching helps them make good progress. By the end of Reception, nearly three-quarters achieve a good level of development. Phonics instruction in Key Stage 1 is effective, with all pupils meeting the expected standard in the phonics screening check. However, some vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils still struggle with reading, often due to a lack of reading at home.
The school provides a wide range of extracurricular activities, fostering personal and academic development. The positive school climate encourages pupils to aspire to excellence, and their behavior is commendable. The next steps for the school include enhancing support for struggling readers, ensuring appropriate reading materials are selected, and increasing the availability of high-quality texts for all pupils. Overall, the school demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its students.
