St Finian's Catholic Primary School

Overview

St Finian’s Catholic Primary School provides a high-quality education where pupils are “well prepared for their next stages of education.” The report highlights “warm and nurturing” relationships and a culture where pupils feel safe and valued. While most areas meet the expected standard, inclusion and personal development are rated at a strong standard.

Strengths

• Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is “highly effective,” with “thoughtfully designed” adaptations ensuring equal access to the curriculum.
• Personal development is “first rate,” with pupils gaining a “wider knowledge of life beyond their school community” through well-planned trips and cultural events.
• Attendance is “above national averages,” supported by leaders who “effectively identify and resolve any barriers to learning.”
• Pupils demonstrate “positive attitudes towards their learning” and behave well, with bullying described as “rare.”
• Staff training is “well considered and highly valued,” focusing on “evidence-informed pedagogy.”

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure task design enables pupils to “deepen their learning over time.”
• Work should continue to “strengthen the transcription skills that pupils need to be able to write clearly and with accuracy.”
• Leaders should continue to embed strategies for developing writing skills to improve pupils' achievement.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns actively managed.