St Wilfrid’s CofE Aided Primary School Northenden

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The school is well led and managed. Leaders have a clear vision for the school and high aspirations for its pupils. Through a rigorous programme of improvement, leaders have succeeded in raising standards in the school.

The leaders and staff work very effectively as a team. Staff enjoy working at the school and are proud to do so. The governors know the school well.

They hold the leaders closely to account, while also giving them the right level of support. Pupils enjoy coming to school and feel safe there. They are taught how to keep themselves safe in a range of circumstances.

The views of parents and carers are mixed. Most of ...them are positive about the school. However, a sizeable minority would not recommend the school to others.

This indicates that parents are not sufficiently well informed about the good work being done here. The school is making good progress in revising its curriculum. Pupils have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of exciting activities both within and outside the classroom.

The provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strong. Teachers have good subject knowledge and plan their work carefully. They make good use of resources and encourage pupils to develop good learning methods.

However, they do not use questions as well as they might to check pupils' understanding and to help them develop their ideas further. Pupils of all abilities, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress. They enjoy reading, can write well and develop a good understanding of mathematics.

However, they do not have enough opportunities to use these skills when studying other subjects. Pupils behave well in and outside the classroom. They relate well to each other, to staff and to visitors.

They are articulate, polite and confident and show concern for others. Early years provision is well led. Children make good progress during their time in early years.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. The majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds and speak English as their first language. The proportion of pupils who receive support for SEND is in line with the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is below average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium funding is in line with the national average. The school forms part of the St James and Emmanuel Academy Trust Ltd.