St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Euxton

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is an outstanding school where pupils blossom both academically and personally. The school is an energetic community providing a purposeful environment where pupils love to learn.

Since its previous inspection, the school has improved pupils' achievement, the quality of teaching and learning and aspects of leadership and management. Pupils achieve exceptionally well from their starting points in the Early Years Foundation Stage so that by the end of Key Stage 2 their attainment is above average in English and mathematics. Teaching is outstanding.

Teachers use a wide range of teaching styles, which successfully enthuse and motivate pupils. Strong features in teaching include highly positiv...e relationships between staff and pupils, and very good questioning that extends pupils' language and learning. Teachers' planning builds in opportunities for pupils to solve problems, but there are not enough occasions when pupils can carry out independent work in order to follow their own line of thought.

Lessons are characterised by exciting planning, brisk pace and high expectations. Pupils, parents and carers overwhelmingly acknowledge the high standards of behaviour and excellent arrangements for keeping pupils safe. Pupils say that all adults in school protect them and help them if they have a problem.

Pupils' exemplary attitudes to learning and conduct, within lessons and around school, are due to the climate of trust and support the school has created. The headteacher is well supported by the drive and commitment of the staff and the governing body who share her vision and sense of direction. The highly effective teamwork of all staff and governors makes a significant contribution to the high standards in pupils' personal and academic work.

The first-class curriculum provides support for pupils' outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, leading to pupils acquiring mature and sensitive attitudes.

Information about the school

This is an average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible to free school meals is below the national average.

Almost all pupils are from White British backgrounds but a few speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and those who are disabled is similar to the national average. The school exceeded the government's current floor standard in 2011.

It has the Eco School and Artsmark Gold awards. An independent management committee provides breakfast and after-school care on the school site. This setting did not form part of the inspection but a report about the quality of its provision can be found on the Ofsted website.

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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