St Benedict's Catholic Primary School Hindley

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are “happy” and “thoughtful,” benefiting from a “well-organised curriculum” that builds knowledge logically. Leaders maintain “high expectations” for behaviour and achievement, resulting in pupils who are “well cared for” and achieve well across most subjects.

Strengths

• Pupils are “proud” of their sporting successes and value community activities, such as singing at local care homes.
• The curriculum is “well established” in many subjects, with teachers introducing knowledge in a “systematic way” to help pupils build learning securely.
• Staff provide “effective support” for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), helping them to achieve well.
• Leaders have improved reading provision through a new phonics curriculum, ensuring children in Reception learn sounds “enthusiastically.”
• Staff morale is high, with leaders supporting a “healthy work–life balance” and governors holding leaders to account effectively.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure staff receive support to deliver the reading curriculum “equally well,” particularly for pupils needing extra help with phonics.
• Leaders should work with parents and agencies to improve attendance for a small number of pupils, including some with SEND, whose learning is disrupted by irregular attendance.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff well trained to identify concerns and leaders diligent in following them up.