St Bernadette’s R.C. Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Pupils at St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School thoroughly enjoy coming to school and are very proud to be members of its community.'

Learn, Live, Believe' clearly reflects the aims of the school and underpins its Christian values. Nearly all pupils and staff feel safe and valued. The headteacher and the staff have created a very happy environment that welcomes all pupils.

Most pupils develop their knowledge and skills well. They make strong progress in developing their literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Pupils' oracy skills in English from the Nursery class to Year 6 are exceptional.

Although the pupils have a great enthusiasm for learning Welsh, they do not always make the progress they could in developing... their Welsh language skills. Pupils understand how much staff care for them and there is a feeling of mutual respect between staff and pupils. Pupils' collaboration in class activities and around the school is a strength.

They are kind and considerate to each other and their behaviour is exceptional at all times. They contribute well to a variety of groups and committees, and enthusiastically share examples of where their influence has had a positive impact on school life. All staff are ambitious for pupils to succeed and support them successfully to develop positive attitudes to learning.

Teachers plan engaging activities for pupils to enable them to make effective progress in their literacy, numeracy and digital skills. They provide pupils with suitable opportunities to build on their knowledge and understanding but, generally, the whole school approach to develop the Curriculum for Wales lacks clarity. The headteacher, ably supported by the senior leadership team, ensures that the well-being of pupils and the wider school community is at the heart of the school.

Leaders communicate well with parents. Governors know the school very well and fulfil their role as critical friend, asking challenging questions about decision-making, which supports the headteacher in moving the school forward. Recommendations R1 Ensure that the curriculum is meaningful for all pupils and builds systematically and coherently across the school R2 Develop pupils' independent skills R3 Ensure that pupils have regular opportunities to improve their own work What happens next The school will draw up an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection.