St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Banbury underwent an inspection on January 24 and 25, 2023, and received an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education was also rated as Requires Improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were rated as Good. Early years provision was found to Require Improvement. The school, which has a proud and inclusive atmosphere, fosters positive relationships among pupils and staff. Students feel safe and are encouraged to embody the school’s values, contributing positively to their community. Older pupils are particularly enthusiastic about leadership opportunities and enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities.
Despite the positive environment, the inspection highlighted that younger pupils, including those in early years, are not achieving as well as they should. Effective phonics teaching is recognized as crucial for unlocking learning across the curriculum, but this is not consistently implemented. While leaders have high expectations, the curriculum's implementation in early years and key stage one is not as effective as in key stage two, leading to gaps in knowledge and vocabulary for younger pupils. Teachers' assessments of pupil learning also require improvement.
The school demonstrates strengths in supporting vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Leaders quickly identify these pupils' needs and ensure they receive appropriate support. The curriculum is thoughtfully developed, but its execution in the earlier stages needs refinement to align with the successful practices seen in key stage two. The early years staff's expectations for pupil achievement are not sufficiently high, and some planned activities do not adequately develop children's knowledge.
Reading is prioritized within the school, with a new phonics approach introduced to strengthen this area. Staff are trained to deliver this program effectively, and there is a focus on supporting pupils who fall behind. However, the program is still in its early stages, resulting in many children not learning to read as well as they could. The school promotes reading for pleasure and engages parents in supporting their children's reading at home.
Leaders create opportunities for pupils to learn about community values and promote equality and understanding through various initiatives. The school has effective strategies for managing behaviour and attendance, with most pupils attending regularly. The commitment of leaders and the governing body to the school is evident, and parents express high regard for the staff's caring and supportive nature.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with a robust culture established to protect pupils. Staff are well-trained to identify and respond to potential risks, and pupils learn about safety and healthy relationships through the curriculum. The inspection concluded that while the school has many strengths, particularly in its supportive environment and leadership, there are significant areas for improvement, particularly in the quality of education for younger pupils and the consistency of phonics teaching. Leaders are encouraged to ensure a cohesive approach to curriculum delivery from early years through to key stage two to enhance overall pupil progress.
