St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Thame

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are “happy and safe,” underpinned by “good manners” and strong relationships. Leaders have provided stability following a transition to a new multi-academy trust, resulting in “improving” achievement and a curriculum that is “reviewed extensively.” The inspection highlights a positive culture where staff have “high expectations” for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “positive attitudes to study” and engage in lively discussions, such as debating skills in English and solving complex calculations in mathematics.
• The “wider personal development of pupils is a strength,” with many benefiting from leadership roles like Student Council and ‘The Bookworms’ group.
• Early years provision is “vibrant,” with early reading taught well so children learn to read with “fluency and comprehension.”
• Support for pupils with SEND is “strong,” with needs identified accurately and “high-quality support” provided effectively in lessons.
• Staff feel “valued” and loyal, contributing to a school described by parents as having a “family feel.”

Areas to improve

• Approaches for checking pupils’ knowledge and skills in subjects other than mathematics and English are “not yet firmly embedded,” risking gaps in knowledge.
• Attendance remains an issue, as a “small number of pupils still miss too much school,” particularly disadvantaged pupils.

Safeguarding

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