St Paulinus Catholic Primary Academy, located in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, underwent an inspection on 24 and 25 October 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas such as the quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision also marked as requiring improvement. However, the school demonstrated good performance in behavior and attitudes, as well as personal development.
The headteacher, Sophie Hayes, leads the school, which is part of The Blessed Peter Snow Catholic Academy Trust. The trust's chief executive officer, Richard Williams, and a board of trustees, chaired by Antonia Dorsey, share responsibility for the school's governance. The inspection highlighted that while leaders have established a curriculum with increasing ambition for pupils, this ambition has not yet been fully realized in practice. The school is in the early stages of developing its curriculum, particularly in the early years, and there is inconsistency in how well pupils learn across different subjects. In some areas, the curriculum lacks clarity regarding what knowledge pupils are expected to learn and retain, leading to gaps in their understanding.
Despite these challenges, the school has made commendable efforts to support pupils' emotional and behavioral development. Adults effectively help pupils manage their feelings and behavior, fostering a respectful environment where pupils treat each other well. The school promotes a strong sense of community, with initiatives like the Mini Vinnies and well-being ambassadors encouraging pupils to contribute positively to their surroundings. The inclusive culture at St Paulinus helps pupils feel safe and happy.
The inspection report noted that while some curriculum improvements are underway, particularly in reading, there are still significant gaps in pupils' knowledge across various subjects. The school has prioritized reading, ensuring that staff receive necessary training to support pupils in developing their phonics knowledge. This focus has led to positive engagement from pupils, who express enthusiasm for the books they read.
In the early years, staff work to foster positive relationships among children, encouraging cooperation and the use of new vocabulary. However, the curriculum in this phase has not been sufficiently designed to prepare children for Year 1, with many activities failing to secure essential learning. Leaders are urged to ensure that the early years curriculum equips children with the necessary knowledge and skills.
The report also highlighted the need for improvement in governance, as those responsible do not have a comprehensive understanding of the quality of education provided. This lack of insight complicates efforts to ensure that leaders are addressing the right areas for improvement. Nevertheless, staff express pride in their work at the school and are committed to serving their community.
Safeguarding arrangements at St Paulinus are deemed effective, ensuring that pupils are protected and supported. The inspection concluded with recommendations for the school to define the essential knowledge it wants pupils to learn more clearly and to ensure that tasks assigned to pupils are focused on their learning needs. By addressing these areas, the school can enhance the educational experience for all its pupils and work towards achieving a higher standard of educational quality.
