Holy Family Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 March 2026

Pupils are happy and keen to attend Holy Family Catholic School. They talk confidently and positively about being part of a welcoming community, where ‘every child is precious’. Pupils value the trusting relationships they have with staff and each other. This helps them to feel safe at school. Parents and carers appreciate the positive, caring relationships that staff build with families and the support offered. The school is an encouraging place, where pupils feel known as individuals. Staff celebrate pupils' uniqueness and this encourages their sense of belonging. Pupils follow a broad and engaging curriculum. In lessons, they show positive attitudes and are keen to contribute their ideas. They behave with integrity and motivate learners, who want to do well. Leaders work thoughtfully to remove barriers to learning so that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who are disadvantaged, can access the same curriculum as their peers. Most pupils progress well through the curriculum and achieve very well. Pupils behave respectfully and courteously. They value the leadership roles available to them, such as being school councillors or eco-councillors. They understand how these roles enable them to contribute to school life. Pupils also play an active part in the wider community, for example, through involvement in events at the church. These experiences help them to develop as responsible and caring citizens. A wide range of clubs, including pupil-led opportunities, enables pupils to explore and develop their interests. Educational visits enrich the curriculum and help bring learning to life and prepare pupils well for life in modern Britain. Breaktimes are sociable and well managed. Pupils play happily together, cooperate well and organise games independently. They learn how to keep themselves safe, including online. Pupils attend well and bullying is extremely rare, and leaders act swiftly and effectively should concerns arise. Pupils know who to speak to if they are worried and trust adults to help them.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that assessment is used effectively to check pupils' understanding and to identify gaps in knowledge so that these can be addressed quickly.
• Leaders should establish clear expectations for handwriting and ensure these are applied consistently across the school.
• Leaders should ensure that all staff in the early years maximise the opportunities for high-quality interactions throughout the day.
• The trust should ensure that those responsible for governance have the knowledge and expertise required to provide well-informed and rigorous challenge.

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