St Michaels Catholic Primary & Nursery School

Overview

Pupils describe the school as an “oasis” where they feel “happy and safe” and “thrive in this caring environment.” The inspection found that pupils demonstrate “exemplary” behaviour and high levels of self-control, while leaders maintain high expectations for achievement. The school provides a balanced, ambitious curriculum, though inconsistencies in curriculum planning and reading support require attention.

Strengths

• Pupils exhibit “exemplary” behaviour, showing “high levels of courtesy and consideration for others” with very rare low-level disruptions.
• Leaders have designed a “balanced, ambitious curriculum” that reflects the local area, helping most pupils build knowledge securely.
• Staff use “well-developed strategies to check on pupils’ learning,” providing effective feedback to quickly close knowledge gaps.
• Reading is actively promoted through engaging features like a “double-decker reading bus” and dedicated reading sheds.
• Pastoral care is a “particular strength,” with pupils having a “secure understanding of how to maintain their own mental well-being.”

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure staff have the expertise to provide “carefully targeted support” for pupils struggling with phonics, as some do not become confident readers quickly enough.
• Leaders should clarify the “small steps of knowledge” and their logical order in one or two subjects and the early years, so pupils build knowledge securely over time.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff who are “well trained” and “vigilant in their duties,” supported by “robust systems” that take “rapid and effective action to protect pupils.”