St Mary's Catholic Infant School

Overview

Pupils are described as “happy and safe” within a school that fosters a “strong community feel” and celebrates differences. The report highlights “excellent” behaviour and a curriculum that is generally “broad and balanced,” with particular success in early years mathematics and music. However, inconsistencies in teaching phonics and curriculum planning in some subjects limit the progress of certain pupils.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “excellent” behaviour, with bullying being “extremely rare” and dealt with quickly.
• Staff have “consistently high expectations” and build “firm foundations” in mathematics through sequential learning.
• Teachers deliver the music curriculum with confidence, helping pupils develop expertise in playing instruments.
• Leaders provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) through close work with external specialists.
• Staff workload is managed well, and leaders treat staff with respect, contributing to high staff pride and well-being.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must identify “key knowledge” and clear end points in subjects where this is currently missing, so pupils can build subject-specific knowledge more effectively.
• The new phonics programme needs to be “delivered consistently and securely” in Years 1 and 2 to ensure pupils requiring extra support develop reading fluency swiftly.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff receiving frequent training and leaders escalating concerns in a “timely manner.”