English Martyrs' Roman Catholic Primary School

Overview

English Martyrs’ Roman Catholic Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a “warm, welcoming environment” where pupils feel “safe and valued” within a “nurturing and supportive atmosphere.” Leaders have successfully upheld the quality of education, with pupils achieving well overall and demonstrating high levels of engagement and pride in their work.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from a “well-structured curriculum” that ensures “secure foundations in reading and writing,” with phonics taught consistently by “well-trained staff.”
• The needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “identified quickly and supported well,” ensuring they are “fully included in all aspects of school life.”
• A “broad range of enrichment experiences,” including cultural visits and clubs, means pupils are “well prepared for their next steps.”
• Attendance is managed proactively, and behaviour is “well managed,” creating a calm environment where pupils can “concentrate on their learning.”
• Staff receive “regular professional development” and feel “well supported” by leaders’ “open-door policy.”

Areas to improve

• The curriculum in some foundation subjects does not clearly define how knowledge and skills build over time, meaning pupils sometimes fail to make connections between previous and new learning.
• Teaching of the writing curriculum does not consistently support pupils to apply skills with “increasing sophistication and accuracy,” affecting their development of fluency.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”