St Edward's Catholic Primary School

Overview

St Edward’s Catholic Primary School is described as a “close community” where pupils are “motivated to do well” and feel “safe and nurtured.” While the early years provision is “Outstanding” and behaviour is “Good,” the quality of education “Requires improvement” because pupils’ previous achievements did not match the school’s ambition.

Strengths

• The early years setting provides an “exceptionally strong start,” with staff expertly “dismantling the barriers to learning” for disadvantaged children.
• Pupils are “inclusive and kind,” demonstrating the school’s Catholic values through leadership roles and respectful conduct.
• Reading is treated as a priority, with a “highly effective phonics programme” ensuring younger pupils are “accurate and fluent readers.”
• The curriculum “builds incrementally,” helping pupils gain confidence and a “broader view of life beyond Sheerness.”
• Leaders and governors are “well informed” and actively support staff, who are “highly committed to the future of the school.”

Areas to improve

• Staff must “consistently and effectively teach the planned curriculum” and routinely check pupils’ understanding to identify and address learning gaps.
• Teachers need to use assessment information to “inform future teaching” so pupils acquire the “depth of understanding” required for the next stage of education.

Safeguarding

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