St Peter’s Church of England Primary School, located in Caverswall, Stoke-on-Trent, underwent an inspection on 29 and 30 March 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas such as the quality of education and leadership and management also receiving the same rating. However, the school demonstrated good performance in behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision.
Pupils at St Peter’s engage in a variety of enriching activities, including clubs, visits, and themed days that enhance their learning experiences. The school fosters a safe and cheerful environment where staff show genuine care for the students, contributing to a calm and respectful atmosphere. Bullying is infrequent, and pupils are encouraged to take on responsibilities that help the school run smoothly.
The curriculum at St Peter’s is broad and well-organized across many subjects, allowing pupils to gain substantial knowledge. The school effectively teaches most pupils to read and develop numeracy skills. However, it faces challenges in supporting those who require additional help, indicating a need for improvement in this area. Leaders are encouraged to strengthen their efforts in providing adequate support for these pupils.
The school excels in creating a supportive community, with staff who are dedicated to the well-being and achievements of their students. The curriculum is well-structured, with clear guidance on what should be taught and when. Subject leaders play a crucial role in ensuring that pupils learn effectively in subjects like geography, music, computing, and art.
Teamwork among staff is strong, with regular sharing of practices and collaborative efforts to enhance classroom learning. Extra-curricular activities, such as coding and eco clubs, further support the educational experience. The school’s approach to teaching phonics in early years is largely successful, but there are areas in later reading and mathematics instruction that require attention. The use of varied resources for reading instruction has led to some pupils struggling to keep up, highlighting the need for a more systematic approach to reading that continues into key stage two.
In mathematics, while there is a systematic approach supported by staff training, additional help for pupils who fall behind could be improved. Pupils with special educational needs receive effective support, ensuring that their individual requirements are met.
Assemblies play a significant role in reinforcing the school’s values and fostering a sense of community. Staff celebrate pupils’ achievements and emphasize the importance of kindness and friendship. The school’s commitment to personal development is evident, with a focus on the arts and performance.
Governors and senior leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to the school and its community. They have made strides in strengthening subject leadership since the previous inspection. However, there are areas requiring urgent attention, particularly in ensuring that all necessary improvements are implemented promptly. Feedback from parents and carers has been largely positive, particularly regarding the approachability of staff and the welcoming environment for new pupils.
The school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff trained to recognize and respond to potential risks. However, there are delays in completing necessary checks on governors, which need to be addressed to ensure compliance with safeguarding standards.
In summary, while St Peter’s Church of England Primary School has many strengths, particularly in its supportive environment and broad curriculum, it must focus on improving its reading and mathematics instruction, as well as ensuring that all areas requiring improvement are addressed with urgency. The school has the potential to enhance its effectiveness further by implementing a more cohesive approach to teaching and support for all pupils.
