Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils achieve well in relation to their starting points, making consistently good progress from the Early Years Foundation Stage.

The current Year 4 pupils are above the standard expected for their age in reading, writing and mathematics. Teaching is good, with some that is outstanding. Teachers and teaching assistants have good relationships with the pupils, who respond with a keenness to learn well.

Behaviour in lessons is exemplary and staff convey their high expectations to pupils calmly and consistently. Behaviour around the school is almost always excellent. Pupils feel very safe and act with consideration for others.

The... atmosphere of the school, which is exceptionally open, welcoming and inclusive, permeates all parts of school life. The headteacher and deputy headteacher lead the school well, ensuring that leadership and management at all levels successfully promote good teaching and achievement. Parents are overwhelmingly happy with the way the school provides for their children.

Robust, accurate self-evaluation is used effectively in the school development plan. The highly effective governing body and headteacher ensure that all staff make a strong contribution to school improvement. As a result, the school continues to improve.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers occasionally do not challenge the more able and modify tasks to the right level for individual pupils during lessons for them to do their very best. There are insufficient opportunities for good teachers to learn from those who are outstanding. Teachers' marking varies in quality, not always showing pupils clearly what they need to do in order to improve their work.

Opportunities are not given for pupils to practise and improve their skills by responding to teachers' comments in their books.

Information about this school

This first school is a slightly bigger-than-average primary school. The vast majority of the pupils speak English as their first language.

There is a small but growing minority of pupils, from a variety of minority ethnic backgrounds, who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium, which is extra government funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, looked after children and some other groups, is well below the national average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs who are supported through school action is below average.

The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is well above average. There is a breakfast and after-school club on the school site. This is privately run, and is inspected and reported upon separately.

Also at this postcode