St Edward's Catholic Primary School

Overview

St Edward’s is described as a “welcoming school” where pupils are “polite and friendly” and “keen to learn.” Leaders plan the curriculum carefully, ensuring pupils achieve well through memorable experiences and a strong focus on vocabulary. The inspection confirms that pupils are “happy and safe” and that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Strengths

• The curriculum is organised so that pupils’ “knowledge and skills build securely over time,” supported by purposeful trips and visitors.
• Staff model new words and use subject-specific vocabulary accurately, helping children’s “vocabulary knowledge to grow.”
• Leaders and staff receive regular safeguarding training, are “vigilant,” and report concerns “promptly.”
• Pupils behave well, following rules such as “kind hands, kind feet, kind words,” and understand how to keep themselves safe.
• Leaders support staff well-being, with governors meeting regularly to check on workload and responding to staff feedback.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure phonics teaching for pupils behind in the programme is “tailored to the sounds pupils need to learn” so they catch up more quickly.
• Leaders need to help teachers break learning into “small, well-sequenced steps” for pupils with SEND and those learning English, as provision currently varies.
• Leaders require better oversight of how well pupils are learning in subjects other than reading and mathematics to guide curriculum refinements.
• Leaders and governors should continue to engage with parents to strengthen relationships, as some parents have concerns about communication.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with staff receiving regular training and leaders taking appropriate action to keep pupils safe.