St Patrick’s Catholic Primary Academy, located in Birkby, Huddersfield, is recognized as a good school following its recent inspection on April 30 and May 1, 2024. The headteacher, Rebecca Holmes, leads the school, which is part of The Blessed Peter Snow Catholic Academy Trust. The trust is overseen by interim CEO Rachel McEvoy and a board of trustees chaired by Antonia Dorsey.
Pupils at St Patrick’s enjoy a supportive and engaging environment. They are enthusiastic about learning and take pride in welcoming visitors, often initiating friendly conversations. The school maintains high expectations for behavior and academic achievement, which students respond to positively. They actively participate in their learning, demonstrating a willingness to share ideas and take risks, particularly in phonics lessons. The school’s focus on academic success is evident in the strong performance of pupils in key stage tests and assessments.
The school provides a safe environment where pupils feel secure. They have access to trusted adults and know that any incidents of bullying are taken seriously. The extensive school grounds offer ample opportunities for play, including climbing equipment and various sports. Early years children benefit from weekly visits to a local allotment, learning about food production, while older pupils participate in enriching experiences such as a Year 6 residential trip.
St Patrick’s offers a broad and ambitious curriculum that enhances the educational experience of its pupils. In mathematics, teachers effectively connect new concepts to prior learning, ensuring that pupils understand the relevance of their studies. Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is well-structured, allowing them to access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. The school’s phonics instruction is precise, enabling pupils to learn to read quickly and effectively. The tracking of pupil progress ensures timely support for those who need it, with interventions in place to help close knowledge gaps.
The curriculum planning for foundation subjects is focused and ensures progression in learning. Early years children engage in activities that build foundational knowledge, while older pupils demonstrate retention of recent learning in subjects like geography. However, the school recognizes the need to improve assessment practices in some foundation subjects to better track what pupils remember over time.
Personal development is a priority at St Patrick’s, with a curriculum that fosters a broad understanding of the community and the world. Pupils participate in various trips and activities that enhance their learning experiences. Leadership opportunities are available for pupils, who take pride in roles such as the ‘Mini Vinnies’ and pupil well-being champions, contributing positively to the school community.
The school’s leadership, including the local academy committee and the diocese, shares a unified vision for providing a positive faith-based education. Staff well-being is considered, and they express satisfaction in their roles at the school. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
While the school excels in many areas, it has identified the need to enhance its approach to summative assessment in foundation subjects to ensure that pupils’ retention of knowledge is clearly understood. This will help the school maintain its high standards and continue to provide an excellent educational experience for all its pupils.
