St Mary’s Priory RC Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. All groups of pupils make good progress. By the end of Year 6, attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is above average.

Teaching is typically good. Pupils are encouraged to learn collaboratively, which contributes to their learning. Pupils' behaviour is good in lessons.

Their positive attitudes contribute well towards their progress. Pupils feel safe and have confidence in all the staff. This is a warm, welcoming and caring school which pupils are proud of and enjoy attending.

This is reflected in their above average attendance. The school successfully promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. T...his is seen in the way pupils respect and value their diverse cultures.

The range of subjects and activities makes a good contribution to pupils' understanding about British values and is preparing them well for life in modern Britain. School leaders, in partnership with the governing body, have strengthened teaching and assessment and, as a result, have raised pupils' achievement. Governors have a good understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses.

They continue to focus on helping the school to improve further. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Progress slows in Years 3 and 4 because the work does not always challenge most-able pupils. Opportunities to extend writing skills in subjects other than English are limited.

Pupils are not always confident at spelling key words.

Information about this school

This is an average-sized junior school. It is part of a hard federation with the infants' school which is situated on the same site.

The infant school was inspected at the same time as the junior school. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported by school action is slightly below the national average. The proportion of pupils supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is also slightly below average.

The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium (which provides additional funding to support pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children in local authority care) is well above average. The proportion of pupils who come from minority ethnic groups and those that have English as an additional language is well above average. The two main groups are from Poland and Africa.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is also well above average. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The school runs its own breakfast and after school clubs providing provision from 8.

00am until 6.00pm. The school provides a nurture group called the Kingfisher suite.

The headteacher is a Local Leader of Education. She supports three schools: St Monica's Primary School; St Paul's Primary School; and St Thomas of Canterbury. Since the previous inspection there has been some staff turbulence in Years 3 and 4.

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