Our Lady and St Swithin's Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 February 2023

Pupils are happy and safe at this school. Leaders have given much thought to creating a positive and welcoming school environment for pupils. For example, pupils walk through calming multi-sensory corridors where relaxing music is played and incense dispensers give off soothing smells. Pupils have endless things to do at breaktimes and lunchtimes. These activities are well organised and help pupils to build positive relationships with each other. Pupils also have their weekly 'well-being Wednesday' activities to promote positive exercise habits and develop their understanding of mental well-being. Leaders have high expectations for pupils' achievement and behaviour, including most pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). In many subjects, pupils typically achieve well. Most pupils behave well in their lessons and around the school. Leaders deal with behaviour or bullying issues effectively and put in place a range of support for pupils who might need extra help to manage their feelings. Pupils said that they appreciate their positive relationships with their teachers and enjoy the unique rewards that they can achieve, for example the hot chocolate reward and the champions' breakfast. Pupils also value the local sporting competitions in which they participate. Pupils are developing their knowledge of horticulture by planting new fruit trees to create their own orchard in the school grounds.

What the school should improve

• Leaders do not ensure an appropriately ambitious curriculum experience for some pupils with SEND. This means that these pupils do not achieve the best possible outcomes. Leaders should ensure that teachers are well equipped to adapt their lessons for pupils with SEND. Leaders should also ensure that they review the bespoke curriculum in place for pupils in the specially resourced provision so that they have access to an ambitious curriculum offer that appropriately meets their needs.
• Sometimes, teachers do not use assessment strategies well to recognise when they might need to modify their teaching or to identify when pupils need further help during a lesson. This sometimes means that teachers do not deliver subject content effectively and miss opportunities to correct errors in pupils' learning. Leaders should ensure that staff have sufficient expertise to use assessment strategies effectively so that they can help pupils to build their knowledge securely over time and provide effective support to correct errors in pupils' work.
• Some parents and staff who shared their views do not feel that leaders take sufficient account of their views. This means that some members of the school community feel disaffected and some staff do not feel their well-being is appropriately considered. Leaders should engage further with parents and staff to remove the barriers that are inhibiting effective working partnerships.

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