St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has undergone an ungraded inspection on December 5 and 6, 2023. The overall judgement remains good, although evidence suggests that the school may not achieve the same rating if a graded inspection were conducted at this time. The headteacher, Lisa Hoey, leads the school, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, overseen by CEO Anita Bath and chaired by David Harrison.
The school places a strong emphasis on its pupils, aiming for high ambitions in education. While pupils enjoy their learning experiences, there are areas where achievement does not meet expectations in certain subjects. Behaviour among pupils is commendable, with clear expectations set for conduct throughout the school. The reward systems in place motivate students, and their work and behaviour are celebrated in various ways, including whole-school assemblies that recognize good attendance and positive attitudes.
St Catherine’s promotes character development and active citizenship, encouraging pupils to engage with both school life and the wider community. The school is inclusive, celebrating the diverse heritage and individuality of its students. Positive relationships between staff and pupils are evident, particularly in the early years, where respect and kindness are fostered. The school offers a range of extracurricular activities that enhance pupils’ experiences, and effective systems are in place to promote good attendance and punctuality.
The curriculum has been revamped to be more ambitious, with teachers delivering engaging lessons that encourage collaboration among pupils. However, there are challenges in ensuring that pupils consistently revisit prior learning, which can lead to gaps in knowledge retention. The school is working on developing systems to check pupils’ understanding and memory of essential knowledge. In early years, while children benefit from a well-considered environment, some activities do not sufficiently promote the development of new knowledge.
Reading instruction in Reception Year is effective, with children reading books that align with their phonetic knowledge, allowing them to progress quickly. Support is provided for those struggling with reading, helping them catch up. The school has a new library themed around Harry Potter, which pupils respect and enjoy.
Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive support from specialist staff, although some do not receive the necessary assistance in lessons, affecting their progress. The school acknowledges this and is working towards more consistent provision. Pupils demonstrate a strong understanding of fairness and equality, reinforced by the school’s Catholic ethos and partnerships with local charities. Leadership opportunities and projects enhance pupils’ confidence, and they have spaces for quiet reflection.
Governance is strong, with trustees understanding the school’s improvement journey. The school engages in professional development and has made changes to reduce staff workload, which has been positively received. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
To improve, the school needs to refine its systems for checking pupils’ knowledge to quickly identify gaps and plan future learning accordingly. Additionally, there should be more opportunities for pupils to revisit prior learning to enhance long-term memory retention. Overall, St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School is committed to continuous improvement and providing a supportive learning environment for its pupils.
