The Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school's values sit at the heart of the school community.

Pupils say that they love coming to this friendly and welcoming school. Relationships between staff and pupils are very positive. Pupils feel safe.

They know that they can talk to adults if they have any concerns.

New leaders have the highest expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils behave well in lessons and during social times.

They are polite and courteous. Pupils' learning is rarely disrupted.

Pupils are respectful towards their peers and adults.

They say that bullying is rare. They say that staff deal with any problems quickly and fairly.

Pupils are proud t...o take on extra responsibilities.

The school council meets regularly. Pupils enjoy taking part in sporting activities. They are especially proud of their participation in a recent cricket event.

They are pleased to have come first in an oracy competition.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. One parent spoke for many when they described the school as 'a safe and welcoming place'.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders have started to improve the quality of education in English. The curriculum is carefully planned so that pupils gradually develop the knowledge they need. However, leaders have not ensured that curriculum planning is well thought through in all subjects.

They have not clearly identified the key knowledge they want pupils to learn. In some subjects, the curriculum is not sufficiently ambitious. For example, in music lessons, there are too few opportunities for all pupils to play musical instruments.

Leaders have introduced a well-sequenced phonics programme to support pupils at an early stage of reading. Books are closely matched to pupils' phonic knowledge. Pupils who fall behind are swiftly given the support that they need to catch up.

They quickly gain the knowledge and skills they need to become confident and fluent readers.

The reading ambassadors promote a love of reading and support new reading initiatives. All pupils are read to daily.

Teachers choose books that broaden pupils' experiences and vocabulary. Pupils are encouraged to read regularly at home.

Leaders do not always ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn as well as they could.

Teachers do not consistently adapt the curriculum to address these pupils' learning needs. Teachers do not routinely check that what they teach is being learned.Staff know the children in the early years well.

They have positive relationships with the children and their families. Children behave well and enjoy playing together. They benefit from consistent systems and routines.

However, leaders have not ensured that the curriculum in the early years is sequenced well enough. Some children do not get off to a good-enough start.

Leaders make sure that pupils' personal development is promoted well.

Pupils have opportunities to learn about keeping healthy. They are taught how to look after their physical and emotional well-being. Pupils learn to respect differences.

For example, they discuss different kinds of families. They say that anyone would be welcome and respected at their school. Pupils talk knowledgeably about their spiritual and moral development.

They learn about different religions. Pupils enjoy different extra-curricular activities including sporting and musical activities, as well as the 'knit and natter' sessions.

Governors are supportive of the school.

They are developing a clear understanding of their role. However, they do not challenge and hold leaders to account when considering the quality of education and learning.

Staff report that leaders are considerate of their workload.

The positive ethos and team approach ensures that staff morale remains high. Staff are proud to work at this school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders make sure that safeguarding is a high priority. The relevant recruitment checks are carried out before adults start to work with pupils.

Staff know pupils well.

They are vigilant and know what to do if they have concerns about a pupil's welfare or safety. Staff receive up-to-date safeguarding training. Leaders work with external professionals to make sure that pupils get the help they need swiftly.

Pupils say that they understand how to be safe when out in the community and when online.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Leaders have not ensured that curriculum planning in all subjects and in the early years is ambitious and clear. Planning does not set out the key knowledge that needs to be learned and the sequence that it needs to be taught.

This means that pupils and children in the early years fail to acquire the knowledge and skills that they could. Leaders must ensure that all subject curriculums and the early years curriculum make it clear what should be learned and the order that it should be taught. They should ensure that pupils and children in the early years gain the knowledge and skills that they need.

• Pupils who have SEND do not learn as well as they could in some subjects. They are not prepared well for the next learning stage in these curriculum areas. Leaders must make sure that the curriculum is adapted appropriately to meet the needs of pupils with SEND.

They should regularly check that the curriculum is working for these pupils. They should ensure that pupils with SEND acquire the knowledge and skills they need to succeed across all subjects that they study. ? Governors' understanding of the quality of education is not as strong as is needed.

They are not always well informed. They sometimes rely too much on information provided by leaders without checking its validity. Governors must be sufficiently well trained to hold leaders to account, so that all pupils receive a good quality of education.