Holly Mount Roman Catholic Primary School, Bury

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is an outstanding school.

Pupils flourish in all aspects of their academic and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in the very happy, safe and inclusive environment and are extremely well-prepared for their future lives. The vast majority of parents, carers and pupils who gave their views were extremely positive about the school, describing it as 'nurturing', 'brilliant' and 'like a family'. Achievement is outstanding.

Throughout the school, all groups of pupils make rapid progress, due to high-quality teaching, an outstanding curriculum and their keen, enthusiastic attitudes. Parents and carers praised the Early Years Foundation Stage, saying it gives their children an exce...llent start to school. Children love working in the new outdoor area, although further development is needed there to match the high-quality provision found indoors.

Exemplary behaviour contributes very strongly to pupils' outstanding achievement. Pupils say they feel very safe and secure, and parents and carers agree. Excellent relationships ensure that pupils thrive, work and play together very co-operatively.

Pupils are extremely considerate towards others and mature into responsible, well-mannered and caring members of the school and wider communities. Teaching throughout the school features high expectations, excellent subject knowledge and well-planned, interesting lessons. Rigorous use of accurate assessment systems ensure that teachers plan lessons that challenge and stimulate all groups of pupils to build and develop their skills and knowledge across the curriculum.

Leaders' and managers' passionate commitment to improve and enhance provision has successfully raised the overall quality of teaching and learning and implemented a rich, creative, topic-based curriculum. This has boosted pupils' enjoyment of learning and ensured that high levels of achievement have been sustained over time. Pupils and their parents and carers are particularly positive about the curriculum and the linked homework that offers a range of varied, imaginative activities.

Information about the school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is well below average. The great majority of pupils is of White British heritage.

Almost all of the few pupils from other minority ethnic backgrounds speak English as their first language. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is below average, and an average proportion has a statement of special educational needs. The school meets the government's current floor standards.

The school holds the Basic Skills Quality Mark, Active and FA Charter Marks and has Healthy School status. A private provider offers before- and after-school provision (Holly Mount Owls) on the school site. This provision is inspected separately and receives a separate report, available on the Ofsted website.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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