Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Academy is a primary school located in Billingham, which provides a supportive and safe environment for its pupils. The school has high expectations for student behavior and academic achievement, fostering respectful relationships between staff and students. Classrooms are described as calm and focused, contributing to a positive learning atmosphere. Pupils express that they feel safe and valued, with rare incidents of bullying that are effectively addressed by staff. The school promotes virtues such as resilience, self-belief, and compassion, encouraging students to take pride in their roles within the school community, including positions like Mini Vinnies and school councillors.
Despite the positive environment, the school faces challenges in its educational quality, particularly in reading and geography. The curriculum lacks clarity regarding what students should learn at each year level, leading to gaps in knowledge. The reading curriculum, in particular, is not ambitious enough, resulting in missed opportunities for essential learning. While the teaching of phonics has been prioritized, the overall reading curriculum requires further development to ensure it is comprehensive and sequenced effectively.
The mathematics curriculum is well-organized, with a clear sequence of knowledge and skills. However, teachers do not consistently use assessment data to inform their lesson planning, which can lead to misunderstandings not being addressed promptly. In the early years, children benefit from a carefully planned mathematics curriculum that includes resources for home practice, aiding parental involvement in their learning.
The science curriculum has been recently reviewed, with leaders ensuring that missed content during the pandemic is addressed. Pupils are developing the necessary knowledge and skills to engage with scientific concepts. However, in subjects like geography, the curriculum lacks precise identification of the knowledge and skills to be acquired, resulting in gaps in students' understanding.
Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive effective support, allowing them to access the full curriculum alongside their peers. The school also emphasizes the importance of relationships, sex, and health education, helping students understand healthy relationships and the value of money through initiatives like the school currency, Power Pounds.
While the school promotes equality, some inappropriate language has been reported among pupils, indicating a need for more rigorous behavior logging and monitoring. This lack of comprehensive tracking means that some behavioral issues may go unaddressed, preventing leaders from having a complete understanding of the school's behavioral landscape.
The leadership team is committed to staff development, providing training and support that staff appreciate. High morale among staff is evident, as they feel supported in managing their workload and are encouraged to voice their concerns.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with leaders ensuring that all staff are trained to identify and report concerns. The school maintains clear communication regarding safeguarding issues, demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of its pupils.
In summary, while Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Academy offers a nurturing environment with strong leadership and good personal development, it requires improvement in the quality of education, particularly in curriculum clarity and ambition. Addressing these areas will be essential for enhancing the overall effectiveness of the school and ensuring that all pupils achieve their full potential.
