St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Leigh

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This good school has significant strengths in pupils' behaviour and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Overall effectiveness is not outstanding because teaching is good rather than exceptional and not all pupils make rapid progress from their starting points.

Nonetheless, pupils' achievement and well-being are at the heart of this successful school. The overwhelming majority of parents and carers say they would recommend the school to others. The positive views of many are summed up in the comment, 'I am proud that my children attend this school.'

Pupils make good progress from their lower-than-expected starting points and leave Year 6 with average attainment levels. Pup...ils in Years 3 and 4 sometimes make slower progress. Pupils achieve well in all areas of the curriculum but fewer pupils are working beyond age-related expectations in mathematics.

Teaching is never less than good and is sometimes outstanding. Warm relationships underpin calm and purposeful classrooms which enable pupils to thrive. An imaginative curriculum and enthusiastic teaching leads to exciting learning opportunities which pupils thoroughly enjoy.

Pupils' behaviour in classes and around the school is outstanding. They are highly considerate and respectful to each other and to adults so learning is rarely disrupted. They have a well-developed understanding of bullying and how to keep themselves safe.

The inspirational headteacher has the commitment and trust of all staff who share her drive for excellence. The leadership of teaching and the management of performance are good because they have led to improvements over time, particularly in reading and writing. Monitoring activities are wide-ranging.

However, some of these activities do not happen frequently enough or provide precise feedback to help teachers improve their practice further.

Information about the school

This is smaller than the average-sized primary school and admits pupils from a large catchment area. Most pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportions of pupils from minority ethnic groups or who speak English as an additional language are lower than found nationally. The percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below the national average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational need is higher than in other schools.

The school meets the government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress. The school has received Healthy School status and the Eco School Silver Award. Four members of staff have taken maternity leave in the past year.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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