St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Academy, located in Dalton, Huddersfield, has been recognized for its effective action in maintaining the standards established during its previous inspection. The headteacher, David Marshall, leads the school, which is part of the Blessed Peter Snow Catholic Academy Trust. This trust is overseen by CEO Rob Pritchard and a board of trustees chaired by Antonia Dorsey. The school provides a nurturing and safe environment for its pupils, who appreciate the care and support they receive. The school is committed to preparing students for life in modern Britain, emphasizing high expectations and aspirations for all pupils.
The curriculum at St Joseph’s is broad and engaging, fostering positive attitudes towards learning. Pupils demonstrate high levels of engagement and enthusiasm, particularly in the various sporting and musical activities offered. The school enriches the curriculum through educational visits, many of which utilize the local area. Year 6 pupils are particularly excited about their upcoming residential visit, which they believe will help them develop independence and resilience. The school promotes a culture of friendliness, care, and courtesy among its pupils, who actively contribute to the school and wider community. They express confidence in the absence of bullying and trust the staff to address any issues that may arise.
The school has developed a well-structured and ambitious curriculum, clearly identifying and sequencing the key knowledge that pupils should acquire in each subject. This clarity aids teachers in their planning and delivery of lessons. However, many pupils join the school with significant gaps in their knowledge, which can affect the overall data published by the school. The staff promptly address these gaps, ensuring that new pupils receive the support they need to catch up. Teachers effectively recap prior learning at the beginning of lessons and utilize questioning to assess understanding and encourage deeper thinking, particularly in mathematics. Nonetheless, some subjects lack the same level of reinforcement for previous learning, leading to less secure long-term recall in areas like history and science.
Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities achieve well due to the school’s quick identification of their needs and the provision of appropriate support. In the early years, children develop a strong foundation in reading, with engaging phonics instruction tailored to their needs. However, the school lacks a clear strategy for teaching handwriting and sentence structure, resulting in some pupils struggling with complex writing tasks. It is essential for the school to ensure that pupils are fluent in basic writing skills before progressing to more advanced tasks.
The school’s values are integral to daily life, promoting virtues such as respect and kindness, which help pupils understand fundamental British values. Pupils actively participate in community service, such as fundraising and environmental initiatives. The school has made significant strides in promoting good attendance, with most pupils attending regularly. Trust leaders have effectively managed the transition to academy status, providing new staff with strong support and ensuring high-quality training. The school has a clear understanding of its strengths and areas for improvement.
The safeguarding arrangements at St Joseph’s are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Moving forward, the school should focus on developing a consistent approach to assessing pupils’ knowledge across all subjects and establishing a clear strategy for teaching handwriting and sentence structure. By addressing these areas, the school can further enhance its educational provision and support for all pupils.
