St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Winchester

Overview

St Peter’s Catholic Primary School provides a “happy, secure and nurturing environment” where pupils “love coming to school” and “delight in their learning.” The report highlights “passionate and inspiring senior leadership” that has driven improvements, resulting in high standards and strong pupil achievement. Inspectors found that children are well-prepared for future education, supported by staff who build “warm and trusting relationships.”

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “impressive” behaviour, showing “genuine empathy and respect” for peers and staff.
• The early years provision is “well designed and sequenced,” with recent investments creating a “stimulating range of activities.”
• Reading instruction has been reinvigorated; pupils become “fluent readers” and develop a “rich vocabulary.”
• Music is a “particular strength,” fostering a love of the subject across all year groups.
• Leaders effectively support pupils’ all-round development through extra-curricular clubs and community events.

Areas to improve

• In some foundation subjects, such as science and design and technology, curriculum plans require refinement to ensure knowledge is taught in a “more coherent sequence.”
• Some teachers lack confidence in adapting teaching to meet the needs of all pupils, which can slow the pace of learning or cause a minority to “go off task.”

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with leaders promoting a “culture of vigilance” and ensuring adults are alert to signs that a pupil may be at risk.