St Anselm's Catholic Primary School

Overview

Pupils are “enormously proud” of their “friendly and vibrant” school, where they demonstrate “remarkable resilience” and “impeccable manners.” The report highlights a “rich and broad curriculum” that inspires pupils to “aspire,” supported by “caring staff” who build trusting relationships. While the quality of education and leadership are rated Good, behaviour and personal development are Outstanding.

Strengths

• Pupils show “impressive responsibility and maturity” through abundant leadership opportunities, such as leading clubs and participating in the ‘Rainbow Curriculum’.
• Staff have “high expectations,” and pupils are “enthusiastic learners” who strive to do their best.
• The school provides effective early support for reading and spelling, helping pupils become “confident, fluent readers.”
• Personal development is “impressive,” with pupils demonstrating a “deep understanding of fundamental British values” and debating ideas with “articulate confidence.”
• Safeguarding arrangements are “effective,” and the school works in partnership with families to remove barriers to engagement.

Areas to improve

• Teachers must refine lesson design and assessment processes to help pupils make “deeper connections between linked ideas” and address misconceptions, ensuring secure knowledge for new learning.
• Staff need better skills to apply specific strategies consistently in mainstream lessons, enabling pupils with complex special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to access learning successfully.

Safeguarding

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