Holy Cross Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 May 2023

Pupils say that they feel happy and safe at school. They say it is easy to make friends. Pupils understand the importance of being kind and respectful to everyone. They say that the teachers 'talk to us and help us sort out our problems'. The school's strong Catholic values and caring ethos contribute to its calm and happy atmosphere. Staff have high expectations for pupils' behaviour. They encourage pupils to be thoughtful and care for each other. They expect pupils to apply themselves diligently in lessons. The small number of pupils who sometimes struggle to manage their behaviour and emotions receive support for their needs. Pupils enjoy a range of opportunities to contribute to the wider life of the school. For example, pupils can act as peer mentors, prayer partners, librarians and 'eco- warriors'. The popular extra-curricular activities also serve to develop pupils' talents and interests. These range from music and sport to gardening and pet care, and many more. All of these opportunities support pupils' broader personal development very well. Children in the early years make a strong start to their education. They settle quickly into the class routines. Children show high levels of focus and enjoyment in their learning.

What the school should improve

• Leaders' actions in response to the weak outcomes in phonics in 2022, for both Year 1 and Year 2, have not yet had a strong enough impact. Some pupils do not consistently read from books that match the sounds they know. Those pupils are given banded books before they are ready for that challenge. Some pupils do not learn to read as quickly as they should. Leaders should ensure that they continue their focus on the teaching of early reading and phonics, so that all pupils become fluent, confident readers.
• The 'pupil passports' for pupils with SEND are not precise enough. The targets set for pupils to achieve are not measurable and clear. They do not provide precise guidance for staff who work with these pupils. The 'passports' do not provide clear information for parents on exactly what is being done to support their children, when, and by whom. Leaders should ensure that pupils with SEND receive well-planned, focused support to access the curriculum and achieve as highly as possible.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)