St Joseph's Catholic Infant School

Overview

St Joseph’s Catholic Infant School is judged ‘Good’ overall, with ‘Outstanding’ ratings for behaviour and attitudes and personal development. The report describes a school where pupils are “really proud” and feel “secure, happy and safe,” supported by a “broad and ambitious curriculum.” Leaders have created an environment where staff have “high expectations” and pupils “rise to this challenge.”

Strengths

• Pupils’ behaviour is described as “exemplary,” with children managing their own conduct “extremely well.”
• The curriculum is “ambitious for all,” with careful planning from Nursery through to the junior school.
• Reading is a priority; staff are “experts in early reading,” and books are “closely matched to the sounds that they know.”
• Personal development is supported by “aspirational programmes” and opportunities for pupils to make decisions via the school council.
• Staff well-being is considered, and governors act “swiftly” to minimise disruption to learning.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum does not sufficiently support all pupils to form letters correctly and legibly, hampering their ability to read their own work.
• Occasionally, written resources provided are “beyond pupils’ current stage of reading,” reducing their effectiveness.

Safeguarding

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