Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 November 2025

Pupils feel safe because leaders ensure that they are welcomed, included and able to express their thoughts and opinions. Leaders and staff are deeply interested in each child's unique needs and life experiences. Pupils who join the school in different year groups and at different times of the year, including those who speak English as an additional language, have many opportunities to settle in and to learn the curriculum effectively. For example, in the early years, staff meet with parents and carers of children who are new to living in the UK. Staff seek to understand and support children's language needs. They assess accurately whether children have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Pupils at the school flourish. They are happy, feel good about themselves and develop many friendships. In classrooms and around the school, pupils' behaviour is thoughtful and sensible. Pupils show high levels of self-control. For example, they enter the hall for special assemblies in a calm and orderly manner. Pupils typically know and rise to leaders' high expectations for their conduct. Leaders deal with issues of bullying effectively, giving pupils the support that they need. Pupils enjoy their studies and apply themselves well in lessons. Classrooms are calm. Teaching focuses on helping pupils to learn the curriculum and achieve well. Pupils benefit from the wide range of opportunities that the school provides. For example, older pupils relish being prefects and helping younger pupils, such as with their reading. Pupils gain much knowledge from the school's educational trips, for example to castles, farms, museums and the zoo. Pupils learn to be interested in, and respectful of, other people's views and lives. Leaders promote care and compassion. Pupils' attendance at the school is improving over time because of the actions that leaders take.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that the teaching of writing improves pupils' foundational knowledge of grammar, spelling and the quality of their handwriting.
• Governors should deepen their understanding of the school's curriculum priorities so that they are well placed to challenge and support leaders' work.
• Leaders should ensure that pupils understand how the school's values that they follow in their behaviour and conduct link with fundamental British values.

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