Holy Family Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. The headteacher has established a school that deeply cares for all of its pupils while at the same time challenging them to achieve their full potential. She sets the tone for staff and pupils and the many excellent qualities of the school are greatly appreciated by parents and carers.

Children make outstanding progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Many start school with barriers to learning, especially in their language development, but these are quickly overcome and children are exceptionally well prepared to enter Key Stage 1 and start the National Curriculum. Pupils continue to make excellent progress in Year 1, reaching attai...nment levels that are above those expected for their age.

Their reading skills are especially strong. The inclusive agenda of the school helps all pupils to perform well, including the most able and those who do not speak English as their first language. This pattern represents outstanding achievement for all groups of children and pupils during their time at school.

Teaching is outstanding. Lessons are planned in detail to offer interesting experiences that are well judged to keep all pupils working at full stretch. The additional assistance that is provided is carefully planned and targeted to help those in danger of falling behind.

Marking and verbal advice offered to pupils are very helpful so they know how to improve. Children from the Nursery onwards show great maturity, a readiness to cooperate with one another and adults and a huge appetite for learning. Behaviour is excellent.

Staff, pupils and parents and carers agree that the school is exceptionally safe. Rigorous checks are made on teachers and pupils, especially through the analysis of assessment results. This helps leaders and managers know what needs improvement and to act on this information.

The governing body offers robust support that has benefited the school as it has established itself. It provides relevant challenges to the school as it continues to grow and improve.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average-sized primary school.

It opened in September 2012 and moved into its new buildings in September 2013. At the time of the inspection the school educated nursery, reception and Year 1 pupils. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium (additional funding for looked after children, pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those from service families) is below average.

Nine out of every 10 pupils are from a minority ethnic background, predominantly Other White. About six out of every 10 pupils do not speak English as their first language The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is well below the national average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average.

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