St John Vianney Catholic Primary School in West Denton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has been evaluated as a good school following its inspection on 16 and 17 April 2024. The headteacher, Allyson Thorpe, leads the school, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust. The school has not been previously inspected under section five of the Education Act 2005, as it was exempt from routine inspection until November 2020. The inspection report highlights the school's effectiveness in various areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision, all rated as good.
The school fosters an environment that prepares pupils to be confident and lifelong learners. It effectively supports their social and emotional well-being, ensuring they are ready to learn. The behaviour expectations are communicated through the mantra of being ready, respectful, and safe, which is consistently reinforced by adults. The school employs a system of positive praise and private sanctions to manage behaviour, creating a fair and consistent approach. Pupils demonstrate respect for adults and trust them to keep them safe.
Recent changes to the curriculum have been made, with passionate and knowledgeable staff leading these improvements. The school provides leadership opportunities for pupils, such as school councillors and eco-warriors, promoting a sense of responsibility. Pupils actively engage in their Catholic faith, participating in community support initiatives like local soup kitchens and food banks.
The curriculum has been well-planned and sequenced, ensuring that essential knowledge and skills are identified from Nursery to Year Six. Knowledge organisers are used to help pupils understand key aspects of their learning, although there are instances where pupils do not consistently use subject-specific vocabulary to articulate their understanding. The school prioritises early reading, employing a structured phonics program that enables most pupils to read at age-appropriate levels. Regular assessments identify pupils needing additional support, ensuring they receive targeted catch-up sessions.
In mathematics, the curriculum adopts a mastery approach, allowing pupils to develop problem-solving skills. Pupils express enjoyment in mathematics and engage enthusiastically with activities designed to improve their arithmetic skills. The school employs strategies to help pupils recall prior learning, although some subjects show variability in pupils' ability to remember previously learned content.
The school is committed to supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, employing a focused monitoring system to review provision continually. The demographic of the school has changed, leading to more accurate identification of pupils with SEND. Early years practitioners foster a love of learning and resilience in children, although some outdoor activities lack clear learning intentions.
The school's character and citizenship program aligns with its Catholic ethos, nurturing pupils' self-esteem and confidence. Staff celebrate achievements through assemblies, and pupils are educated on online safety. Leaders are mindful of staff workload, and the local governing committee actively holds leaders accountable for the curriculum's impact on pupil achievement.
The safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, the school has identified areas for improvement, including the need for consistent use of subject-specific vocabulary and opportunities for pupils to revisit learning across all subjects. Additionally, some early years activities require clearer learning intentions to ensure progressive skill development. Overall, St John Vianney Catholic Primary School demonstrates a strong commitment to providing a quality education while fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for its pupils.
