St Helen's Catholic Infant & Nursery School

Overview

St Helen’s Catholic Infant & Nursery School is judged ‘Good’ for overall effectiveness, with ‘Outstanding’ ratings for behaviour, personal development, leadership, and early years provision. The report describes a “very inclusive school” where pupils are taught in a “loving and caring atmosphere” and benefit from a “highly ambitious curriculum.” Leaders demonstrate a “relentless drive” to ensure every pupil succeeds, resulting in a calm, purposeful environment where children feel safe and valued.

Strengths

• Pupils exhibit “excellent” behaviour and “overwhelmingly positive” attitudes towards learning, showing “kindness and consideration in abundance.”
• The curriculum is “meticulously thought through,” with staff delivering it with expertise and providing “exceptionally well” support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Personal development is “striking,” enriched by clubs, trips, and volunteering that help pupils become “caring and responsible citizens.”
• Staff are “extremely well supported,” with leaders consistently considering workload and well-being, while governors provide “strong and accurate oversight.”
• Early years provision is outstanding, with Reception children developing “exceptionally strong learning habits” and being well prepared for Year 1.

Areas to improve

• Some weaker readers do not always use books matched closely enough to their phonics knowledge, which “hinders how quickly these few weaker readers catch up.”
• The school should continue to support staff in selecting appropriate books and techniques to help these pupils become confident and fluent readers as quickly as they should.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.