St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Attainment is significantly above the national average.

From low starting points pupils make very rapid progress and achieve very well. High quality teaching ensures that pupils learn well. It is never less than good and a substantial proportion is outstanding.

Highly effective systems for assessing pupils' progress enable teachers to plan work which meet the needs of all its pupils. Pupils' behaviour is excellent and contributes strongly to the outstanding progress they make. They are very eager to learn and understand its importance in their lives.

However, despite the efforts of the school there remains a minority of ...pupils who miss too much school. Positive relationships are strengths of the school. Pupils and adults respect each other and there is a 'can do' culture in the school.

The school works hard to promote good links with parents. The overwhelming majority of parents are happy with the all-round education their children receive. The school's leadership is outstanding.

It has high ambitions for the school which are shared by all staff. Its relentless and highly focused drive to raise standards in the quality of teaching and pupils' attainment has resulted in rapid and significant improvements being achieved since the last inspection. Rigorous systems for monitoring teachers' performance and pupils' progress are in place which are ensuring a relentless driving up of standards.

However, the role played by middle managers in this process is not yet fully exploited. A broad and rich curriculum provides pupils with a wide variety of excellent opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills, pursue their own interests and develop their self-confidence. This, combined with high academic achievement, ensures that by the end of Year 6, pupils are extremely well prepared for the next stage in their education.

Governors are very well informed and knowledgeable about all aspects of the school's life and, while being highly supportive of its work, hold it and its leaders rigorously to account.

Information about this school

This is an above average-sized primary school. The vast majority of the pupils are of White British heritage.

The number of pupils from minority ethnic groups is much lower than found nationally and of those for whom English is an additional language is also well below average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities that are supported at school action is above average and those supported at school action plus is also above average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well above average.

(This is additional funding provided by the government for those pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, children from service families and those children who are looked after.) The school has received a number of awards including Healthy School status, The International School award, Arts Marks and the Eco-Schools Silver award. The school exceeds the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.