St Joseph's RC Infant School

Overview

St Joseph's RC Infant School continues to be a good school, where pupils enjoy their learning and benefit from a wide range of activities. The report highlights a calm and positive environment underpinned by strong values, with staff demonstrating high expectations for behaviour and achievement.

Strengths

• Pupils have a "strong start" in the early years, eagerly interacting with resources to enhance their development.
• Reading is a high priority, with teachers providing individual support to help pupils "blend sounds" and choose books that promote discussion.
• Teachers possess "secure subject knowledge" which they use effectively to challenge thinking and build "strong foundations of mathematical understanding".
• Staff are well-trained to support pupils with SEND needs, using consistent strategies to help them "regulate their behaviour" and access the curriculum.
• Leaders are proactive in improving attendance, working closely with families to "overcome barriers" and promote good habits from the start.

Areas to improve

• In some foundation subjects, recent curriculum changes are "not fully embedded," meaning some pupils do not "build on their prior learning securely." The school must ensure all subject aims are fully implemented so pupils build deep knowledge over time.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.