St Winefride's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy

Overview

This ungraded inspection confirms that St Winefride’s Catholic Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school fosters a positive environment where pupils behave well, enjoy learning, and demonstrate respect for others through strong community links and character development opportunities.

Strengths

• Staff hold “high expectations for pupils’ achievement and behaviour,” resulting in warm relationships and a culture where “most pupils enjoy learning.”
• The school has successfully prioritised reading, with staff well-trained in phonics and additional support helping pupils become “more fluent and confident readers.”
• Pupils develop confidence through leadership roles and service to the community, such as supporting local food banks and care homes.
• Teachers “frequently check that pupils understand what they have been taught,” aiding knowledge retention, and staff receive regular subject-specific training.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “well supported in lessons,” with the trust providing additional expertise.

Areas to improve

• The writing curriculum requires strengthening, as “some aspects... are not as securely in place,” particularly regarding handwriting skills like pencil grip and letter formation.
• Attendance strategies are not reaching all pupils; a minority, including some with SEND, remain regularly absent, missing “essential learning.”
• Safeguarding records do not always “fully reflect the actions taken to keep pupils safe,” requiring improvement to ensure information is captured effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving comprehensive training and pupils having trusted adults to speak to, though record-keeping of safety actions needs improvement.