English Martyrs' Roman Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 February 2025

The warm, welcoming environment at English Martyrs' Roman Catholic school means that pupils feel safe and valued. The school's inclusive ethos ensures that there is a nurturing and supportive atmosphere. Pupils describe the school as a safe haven. They see it as a place where they are encouraged to express themselves freely, build lasting friendships, and engage actively in learning. Pupils take pride in their achievements, whether in creative arts, science investigations or in daily classroom activities. High expectations for academic success are clear. Pupils achieve well overall and they are motivated to excel. Behaviour is well managed and the school is calm. This means that pupils are able to concentrate on their learning. The needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly and supported well. This support includes both additional extra help as well as inclusive teaching practices within classrooms. The broad range of enrichment experiences and opportunities means that pupils are well prepared for their next steps. This includes regular visits to museums, theatres, and other cultural events that complement their learning. Pupils are actively involved in a variety of clubs that allow them to explore and develop their interests. They take on roles such as school councillors, contributing meaningfully to the life of the school.

What the school should improve

• In some foundation subjects, the curriculum does not clearly define how knowledge and skills are built from the early years through to Year 6. As a result, there are times when pupils do not make connections between what they have learned previously and new content. This can reduce their ability to deepen their understanding over time. The school should refine its curriculum thinking in these foundation subjects. It should ensure that there is clear progression from early years onwards that helps to develop pupils' knowledge and skills in a structured and coherent way.
• Some teaching of the writing curriculum does not consistently reflect the school's expectations. This affects how well pupils build up their writing knowledge and skills over time. The school should ensure that the curriculum for writing is implemented as intended and delivered consistently well so that pupils in all year groups achieve highly.

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