St Wulstan’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The school's values and beliefs are at the heart of what pupils, parents and staff agree is a safe, caring and harmonious community.

Pupils achieve standards in reading, writing and mathematics that are above and, frequently, well above the national average. Pupils make good progress from their entry into the school to their leaving at the end of Year 6. Progress is particularly rapid in the Nursery Year and the Reception Year.

Teaching is nearly always good and some is outstanding, with strong and positive relationships between teachers and pupils. Teachers give good levels of support for those who are finding learning hard and offer a ...high degree of challenge for the more able. Pupils' behaviour is good, both in lessons and around the school.

They show courtesy and respect to staff and to each other. The school is improving and the high expectations of senior leaders, the staff and the governors for good teaching and achievement are helping pupils to do well. Pupils make the most of the wide range of clubs and activities and are particularly active as charity fundraisers.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : School leaders do not always examine information about pupils' achievement thoroughly enough. Teachers do not always show pupils how their own work compares with work at a higher level and what they need to do to get to that level. Teachers' planning of learning, particularly in mathematics in Year 3 to Year 5, does not always take enough account of the needs and interests of boys.

Information about this school

St Wulstan's is larger than the average-sized primary school. A below-average proportion, just over a tenth, of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium. This is additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, those in local authority care and those with a parent in the armed services.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported by school action is below average. The proportion supported by school action plus or who have a statement of special educational needs is also lower than national levels. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress.

St Wulstan's is in a formal collaboration with a neighbouring Catholic primary school. Both are currently led by the executive headteacher. The school runs both breakfast and after-school clubs.