Holy Name Roman Catholic Primary School Manchester

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils delight in being part of this happy and harmonious school. They arrive at the school gate each morning with big smiles on their faces, eager to 'high-five' the staff who wait to welcome them. Staff provide a warm and caring environment that enables pupils to thrive.

Pupils are immensely proud of the rich diversity of their school community. It is a place where differences between people are embraced and celebrated. For example, a prominently displayed world map is filled with pins to identify the different countries to which pupils have connections.

Pupils said that they always aim to be the best that they can be. From the Nursery class to Year 6, pupils behave... exceptionally well. Classrooms are hives of purposeful activity where pupils are immersed in their rich learning.

This helps pupils to meet the school's high expectations for their achievement. Pupils achieve extremely well.

Pupils relish the multitude of memorable experiences that the school provides.

For instance, they attend residential trips, including a visit to Spain. Pupils are also encouraged to showcase their talents to large audiences. They participate in music and drama performances with local theatre companies.

These opportunities help pupils to grow into confident and resilient individuals.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders at all levels and governors are fiercely committed to ensuring that social disadvantage is not a barrier to pupils' success. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from an ambitious curriculum that is interwoven with rich and varied opportunities to enhance their understanding of the world.

Pupils gain a wonderful start to their education. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their learning.

The school has ensured that pupils' learning builds seamlessly from the Nursery class to Year 6.

Staff are expert at designing learning activities that help pupils to understand new curriculum content. Staff check frequently whether pupils understand and remember what they have learned. When staff identify gaps in pupils' knowledge, they address them swiftly.

Across the curriculum, pupils achieve very well.

The school provides effective support for those pupils who face additional challenges in their learning. Many pupils join the school at different times of the school year.

Some speak limited English when they arrive. The school takes thoughtful action to help these pupils to integrate quickly into the community. For example, they are paired up with a pupil who speaks the same language to support them during their first few weeks at the school.

Staff are adept at helping these pupils, including children in the early years, to develop their language and communication skills. In addition, the school swiftly identifies any additional needs that pupils, including those with SEND, may have. Staff are skilled at supporting pupils to learn successfully.

The school has cultivated a love of reading in its pupils. Pupils spoke with enthusiasm about the books that they have read. They also develop an impressive appreciation of poetry.

During the inspection, some older pupils joyously recited their favourite poems to an inspector. Children in the early years are encouraged to share their opinions about different stories, such as through their book reviews.

Staff deliver the phonics programme exceptionally well.

If children in the early years or pupils in key stage 1 struggle to keep pace with the learning of their peers, staff act quickly to help them to catch up. The school ensures that these pupils, including those who speak English as an additional language, receive the effective support that they need. Pupils develop into confident and fluent readers.

The school provides a remarkable programme to support pupils' personal development. Pupils eagerly participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including coding, drama and chess clubs. The school is adamant that pupils should have the highest aspirations for themselves.

It provides them with opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge to achieve these ambitions. For instance, pupils learn the art of effective debating.

The school is a haven of calm.

Starting in the early years, children learn the importance of behaving with kindness and respect. Pupils are exceedingly supportive of each other. The school helps pupils to understand how to be effective and resilient learners.

Even the youngest children in the early years sustain high levels of concentration during lessons. Pupils' rates of attendance are high.

Parents, carers, staff, governors and pupils repeatedly said that they are privileged to be part of a school that they consider to be like a family.

Staff are overwhelmingly positive about the school. They appreciate the consideration that the school has for their workload, such as changes made to the feedback policy.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.