St Paul’s Church of England Primary School, located in Wigan, Lancashire, has recently undergone its first inspection since becoming an academy. The inspection took place on 11 and 12 October 2023, and the overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good across all areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school is led by headteacher Adam Rigby and is part of the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust, which provides additional oversight and support.
The school has established a positive and welcoming environment where pupils are encouraged to treat others with kindness and respect. This ethos contributes to a strong sense of community among students, who generally display good behaviour and a willingness to follow instructions. Staff members are seen as approachable and supportive, ensuring that pupils feel safe and secure. The school is particularly attentive to the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, providing tailored support to help them thrive academically and socially.
The curriculum at St Paul’s is well-structured and designed to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with additional needs. It outlines the essential knowledge that students should acquire throughout their education. The school has implemented effective systems to identify and support pupils with special educational needs, which has resulted in good progress for these students. Overall, pupils achieve well, and many are well-prepared for the next stages of their education.
Staff at the school benefit from high-quality training, which equips them to create engaging learning experiences that deepen pupils' understanding across various subjects. However, the inspection identified that in a small number of subjects, some learning activities do not effectively reinforce the key knowledge that pupils need to remember. This gap can hinder the overall achievement of some students in these areas. Additionally, while most subjects have robust checks in place to assess pupils' understanding of prior learning, a few subjects lack consistent evaluation, leading to some pupils moving on to new topics without fully grasping previous concepts.
The phonics programme is well-implemented, with staff trained to support pupils in their reading development. This approach has resulted in many pupils reading fluently by the end of key stage one. The school also promotes a love of reading by providing a diverse range of literature, including poetry and non-fiction, which helps to expand pupils' vocabulary.
Engagement with parents and carers is a priority for the school, with initiatives in place to support families in helping their children with learning at home. The early years provision is effective, with children quickly adapting to school routines and expectations. Pupils across the school are generally attentive and eager to learn, contributing to a focused learning environment.
The school has also prioritized the wider development of pupils, teaching them about online safety and fostering an understanding of different cultures and faiths. Opportunities for extracurricular activities, such as art and sports clubs, further enhance pupils' personal growth.
The trust overseeing the school effectively monitors educational quality and supports the local governing board in fulfilling its responsibilities. Staff members appreciate the training and support they receive, which contributes to a positive working environment. The school is committed to ensuring the well-being of its staff while maintaining high educational standards.
In summary, St Paul’s Church of England Primary School demonstrates a strong commitment to providing a quality education in a supportive environment. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that all subjects reinforce key knowledge effectively, the overall performance of the school is commendable.
