St Columba’s RC Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Pupils make outstanding progress in this warm and friendly school. Many pupils of all abilities achieve more than is expected nationally in both English and mathematics.

Children get off to a flying start in the Early Years Foundation Stage which provides a bright and stimulating environment and many exciting activities. Pupils continue to make high levels of progress throughout the school as a result of teaching which is consistently at least good and very often outstanding. However, mathematics teaching does not always give pupils sufficient opportunities to use logic and reasoning skills to solve problems.

Pupils are very well...-prepared for the next stage of their learning. Their attainment is above the national average. They have inquiring minds and are enthusiastic readers.

The achievement of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is outstanding. Pupils known to be eligible for free school meals achieve very well. There is very little difference in their attainment and that of other pupils.

Teachers meet pupils' needs exceptionally well as lessons are carefully planned so that pupils of all abilities have activities which provide appropriate levels of challenge. Marking is much improved since the previous inspection. It is of a high quality throughout the school and makes it very clear to pupils what they need to do to improve their work.

This contributes much to the achievement of all pupils. Teaching assistants generally provide excellent support. They are particularly sensitive to the emotional needs of the pupils.

Each pupil is looked after very well and there is a strong caring ethos which underpins the daily life of the school. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary in class, on the playground and in the dining hall. Very positive attitudes towards learning were observed in a wide range of lessons.

The headteacher has been in post for a year and she has made a significant impact on improving the quality of teaching and raising standards. She is very well-supported by senior leaders, middle leaders, governors and a highly cohesive teaching team. Governors have a very accurate picture of the school's performance and are actively involved in the school's pursuit of excellence.

Information about this school

The school is an average sized primary school. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic heritages is average and the proportion with English as an additional language is just below that usually found. The proportion of pupils supported through school action is average.

The proportion of pupils supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well above the national average. In this school the pupil premium applies almost entirely to pupils known to be eligible for free school meals.

(The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children who are looked after by the local authority). The school meets the current government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The school has recently been awarded the Leading Parent Partnership Award and the full International School Award.