St Anne's RC Primary School Crumpsall Manchester

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 June 2023

Pupils are happy and safe at St Anne's. Leaders aptly describe the school as having a loving, community feel. Pupils contribute greatly to this sense of togetherness. They undertake caring roles, such as 'peer mediators' who provide helpful guidance and emotional support to other pupils that might be feeling sad or worried. Pupils also support numerous local and national charitable efforts. For example, they recently attended a poetry event in support of a homelessness initiative in the area. Leaders have recently developed the outdoor areas and playgrounds to make social times more fun and engaging. Pupils enjoy the new outdoor domes to relax in as well as the sporting equipment that they can play with. Leaders have high expectations for what pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can achieve in their learning. In most subjects, many pupils achieve well. Pupils rise to leaders' high expectations of behaviour. Pupils behave well throughout the day. They are focused during their lessons, showing positive attitudes to their learning. Pupils also behave sensibly during social times with one pupil describing the calmness as 'chilled'. Pupils rarely fall out and leaders are quick to take effective action to resolve any bullying issues that arise.

What the school should improve

• Some staff do not deliver the phonics programme and catch-up support as leaders intend. At times, this hinders pupils from learning to read as soon as they otherwise could. Leaders should make sure that staff have the skills and support to teach the phonics consistently well, so that pupils can catch up and quickly become confident, fluent readers.

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