Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School

Overview

Ss John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School continues to be a good school. Leaders and staff maintain high expectations for behaviour and achievement, creating a calm environment where pupils are proud and work hard. Most pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve well and feel safe.

Strengths

• Leaders have created a "suitably broad and ambitious curriculum" that prepares children in the early years well for key stage 1.
• "Early reading is a strength," with staff ensuring books are closely matched to learned sounds and providing quick support for those struggling.
• Staff cater well for pupils’ emotional well-being through initiatives like the ‘Talk Team’ and therapy dog, Arlo.
• Behaviour is managed effectively, with teachers skilled in preventing low-level disruption so "learning in the classroom is seldom disturbed."
• Pupils benefit from exciting trips and community activities, such as the ‘Mini Vinnies’, which help equip them for life in modern Britain.

Areas to improve

• In a small number of subjects, leaders have not identified the essential knowledge pupils should learn, hindering the development of a "deep body of knowledge."
• In some subjects, teachers do not use assessment strategies effectively enough to check what pupils know and remember, leading to gaps in learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders having a "sharp understanding of the local issues" and staff receiving regular training to identify signs of potential harm.