St Peter’s Church of England Primary School in Whetstone, Leicester, was inspected on October 3 and 4, 2023, and received an overall effectiveness rating of good. The school, which is part of the Embrace Multi Academy Trust, is led by headteacher Paul Bolstridge. The inspection highlighted the school’s mission statement of inspiring children and enriching their academic journey, which is reflected in the positive feedback from parents and carers who describe the school as a community where children enjoy learning and sharing their experiences.
Pupils at St Peter’s form strong relationships with staff and appreciate the value of education. They express that teachers encourage them to continue learning, and they generally meet the school’s high expectations regarding their conduct and learning. Pupils feel safe and supported, knowing they can approach trusted adults with any concerns. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports clubs and music lessons, which contribute to the pupils' personal development and confidence.
The curriculum at St Peter’s is ambitious and well-structured, ensuring that pupils acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. The early years curriculum is effectively sequenced, preparing children for their transition to Year 1. Teachers are knowledgeable about what to teach and when, and they create connections between subjects to help pupils understand the relevance of their learning. However, there are instances where tasks assigned to pupils do not align precisely with their existing knowledge, which can hinder their ability to build secure understanding.
In the early years, staff engage children with a focus on essential knowledge and skills, fostering their confidence in sharing their learning. Assessment systems are in place to monitor pupils’ understanding, although some areas require improvement to better identify what pupils know. Most pupils demonstrate secure knowledge across subjects, but a few struggle to recall information from previous terms.
Reading is prioritized from the start of school, with children learning phonics and developing their reading skills through matched books. Pupils are taught essential reading skills, including inference and prediction, and they engage with the texts they read in class.
The school effectively identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they receive the necessary support to learn alongside their peers. Staff and pupils are familiar with the behavior management systems, which promote respect and positive interactions within the school community.
Pupils learn about diverse faiths and beliefs, contributing to their development as active citizens. They participate in community projects and understand the school’s values of respect, compassion, and trust. However, there is a need for greater familiarity with British values among pupils.
The school fosters a positive working environment for staff, who report manageable workloads and a supportive leadership team. The trust provides valuable training and support, although some checks on curriculum quality and personal development provision need to be more rigorous to identify areas for improvement accurately.
The safeguarding arrangements at St Peter’s are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. The inspection concluded that while the school demonstrates many strengths, it should focus on aligning tasks more closely with pupils’ knowledge and enhancing the rigor of checks on curriculum and personal development to further improve the educational experience for all students.
