St Patrick's Catholic Primary Academy

Overview

St Patrick’s Catholic Primary Academy is described as a “warm, welcoming and inclusive school” where pupils are “happy and safe.” Leaders have ensured that pupils “achieve well,” with outcomes in most subjects aligning with national averages and mathematics performing above them. The school fosters a strong sense of community, with families welcomed regularly and pupils valuing leadership opportunities.

Strengths

• The phonics scheme is “well embedded,” with effective coaching ensuring lessons are “well taught” and interventions helping pupils who fall behind to “catch up quickly.”
• Mathematics is taught “confidently” using a “mastery approach,” resulting in pupil outcomes that are “above national averages.”
• The curriculum is “adapted well for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND),” ensuring they achieve well alongside their peers.
• The early years environment “effectively supports children’s learning,” helping those who do not speak English to settle quickly through picture prompts and key vocabulary.
• Staff feel “valued” within an “extremely positive culture,” and leaders at all levels, including the trust and diocese, support the school well.

Areas to improve

• The general behaviour policy is “not applied consistently across school,” causing confusion as pupils “do not always know what is expected of them.”
• Pupils have “limited knowledge about other faiths and cultures,” meaning they do not understand as much as they should about different groups in modern Britain.

Safeguarding

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