St Alban's Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 January 2026

A strong sense of belonging underpins life at St Alban’s. Pupils feel safe and apply the school rules of ‘ready, respectful, safe’ in their everyday interactions. Events such as a recent ‘belonging week’ provide memorable and meaningful opportunities for pupils to celebrate individuality and respect difference. Behaviour is consistently calm, respectful and kind. Pupils cooperate well and engage positively with one another. They enjoy their lunchtimes in the well-organised and purposeful zones. They use the running track and visit the wildlife garden, which is a place for learning and quiet thought. House lunchtimes bring children from across the school together, strengthening relationships between different year groups and contributing to the school's inclusive culture. Leadership opportunities, including roles as house captains and wellbeing ambassadors, enable pupils to make a meaningful contribution to school life. The 'Green Team' promotes environmental responsibility through litter picking and safe travel initiatives. Pupils value and appreciate the wide range of sporting opportunities available. A significant number of pupils represent the school in local sporting fixtures, which helps to build confidence, teamwork and resilience. Pupils are highly enthusiastic about their learning. They recall detailed knowledge securely from across the curriculum. These positive attitudes to learning are evident from the early years onwards. Children concentrate well during focused activities and sustain interest when exploring the well-resourced environment. Pupils throughout the school develop strategies to help them learn and understand that support is a normal part of learning. Pupils appreciate the resources available in class for them to use to help their work. They also learn about healthy study habits, including limiting screen time. Trips and visitors enrich the curriculum and leave lasting impressions. For example, specialist workshops enhance learning about engineering and how to stay safe online. Pupils’ consistently high attendance at the school means that they can make the most of the rich range of opportunities the school provides.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that staff consistently check pupils’ number and letter formation with precision, particularly in the early stages of handwriting, and take prompt action to correct any errors.

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