St Malachy’s Catholic Primary School, located in Illingworth, Halifax, underwent an inspection on March 21 and 22, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, alongside the quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school has experienced a period of staffing and leadership changes, but a new leadership team is working to implement significant changes aimed at raising educational standards. The school environment is described as one where pupils feel happy, safe, and secure, with a strong emphasis on care and support from staff.
Pupils enjoy attending school and appreciate the various activities offered, particularly the forest school, which fosters confidence and resilience. The school has made strides in improving the curriculum for core subjects like English, mathematics, and science, ensuring that these subjects are well-planned and sequenced. As a result, more pupils are meeting curriculum expectations. However, there are concerns regarding the clarity of curriculum thinking in other subjects, such as history, which affects teachers' ability to assess pupil learning effectively.
Reading is a priority for the school, and staff have received training in phonics instruction. However, some staff members lack confidence in delivering this program consistently, which impacts pupils' phonics knowledge. The school provides adequate support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring that their individual needs are met. The nurture provision is particularly noteworthy, offering support for pupils with complex social and emotional needs.
The early years environment is engaging, and children are encouraged to participate in various activities that promote kindness and cooperation. Leaders are reviewing the early years curriculum to ensure it aligns with the knowledge and skills needed for progression to Year 1. However, this work is ongoing, and some activities may not yet reflect long-term curriculum planning.
Pupils develop well spiritually, engaging with nature and discussing important values such as kindness and equality. While they learn about major world religions, the frequency and depth of this learning could be improved to enhance their understanding of diversity. The school’s approach to teaching British values is also noted as an area needing further development to better prepare pupils for life in modern Britain.
Leadership at the school is focused on creating a supportive culture for both pupils and staff. However, many subject leaders are new to their roles and require further development to effectively monitor curriculum implementation. Senior leaders are committed to supporting these leaders in developing their skills to ensure the curriculum meets the needs of all pupils.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff trained to identify and report concerns regarding pupil welfare. Pupils are educated on safety topics, including online safety and healthy relationships. The school has a strong commitment to ensuring that safeguarding is a priority for everyone involved.
To improve, the school needs to ensure consistent quality in phonics teaching and clarify the knowledge expectations in foundation subjects. Subject leaders should be supported in monitoring curriculum effectiveness, and the curriculum should be enhanced to provide more structured learning about diversity and British values. Overall, while the school has made progress, there are clear areas for improvement that need to be addressed to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
