St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Harrogate, a Voluntary Academy, was inspected from March 3 to March 4, 2020. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good, with the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision all receiving the same rating. The school’s Catholic ethos is central to its operations, with leaders and staff emphasizing gospel values and virtues to foster good character among pupils. High expectations for behaviour are set, resulting in minimal bullying incidents, which are addressed promptly when they arise. Parents appreciate the school’s nurturing environment, noting its kindness and the dedication of teachers who strive to ensure pupils feel happy and safe.
However, there is some disappointment among parents and pupils regarding the limited availability of after-school clubs, with high demand often leading to quick fill-ups of available spots. The school is actively seeking ways to expand opportunities for pupils to explore their interests and talents outside of regular hours. In the early years, children receive a strong start, with a focus on fostering a love for reading through engaging literature and play-based learning that enhances their communication and language skills. Activities such as rescuing mini-beast toys from ice blocks illustrate the hands-on learning approach that captivates children’s interest.
As pupils progress to Year 1, the school continues to prioritize early reading and phonics, with well-trained teachers effectively guiding students through phonics instruction. This strong foundation leads to impressive results, with Year 1 pupils consistently achieving above the national standard in phonics screening checks. However, as students advance through the school, their academic performance begins to decline. Year 6 results in reading, writing, and mathematics align with the national average, but leaders recognize that pupils with high starting points could achieve more. Notably, no Year 6 pupils reached the higher standard in these subjects in the previous year.
In mathematics, teachers sometimes assign work that does not meet age-related expectations, focusing on recapping earlier learning without adequately challenging pupils to build on their knowledge. While the most capable pupils demonstrate confidence in their mathematical abilities, they express a desire for more challenging tasks that allow them to think critically. The curriculum for core subjects requires improvement to ensure it is sufficiently demanding and that assessment practices accurately reflect pupils’ mastery of skills.
On a positive note, the wider curriculum is well-designed, with teachers demonstrating strong subject knowledge. Pupils take pride in their work and exhibit positive attitudes across various subjects. The school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective, with comprehensive training records and regular discussions on safeguarding issues at the local academy council meetings. Leaders are also reviewing the curriculum to address specific safeguarding concerns relevant to their community.
To enhance the school’s performance, leaders must ensure that the curriculum is better planned to facilitate good progress across key stage two. This includes making core subjects more challenging and refining assessment practices to accurately gauge pupils’ understanding. By allowing sufficient time for more complex content, the school can better reflect the true abilities of Year 6 pupils in national assessments. Overall, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School demonstrates a commitment to fostering a supportive and effective learning environment, with clear areas identified for growth and improvement.
