St Benedict Biscop CofE Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 March 2023

'Learning and growing together in Christian friendship' is the motto at St Benedict Biscop CE Primary School. Leaders have created a strong and inclusive community. They work hard to ensure that pupils are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. Pupils and children earn badges for demonstrating the school values such as generosity, forgiveness and perseverance. Pupils treasure these badges and they support pupils' exemplary behaviour. Pupils know what bullying is and say that, although it happens rarely, they are confident that all staff will support them to resolve difficulties. This helps pupils to feel safe. Leaders make sure that pupils get off to a strong start in nursery. The well- developed curriculum takes children's early learning into account and builds on it successfully as pupils move through key stages 1 and 2. As a result, all children and pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well. Pupils told inspectors that they enjoy school. They persevere in the face of difficulties. Teachers use their knowledge of pupils to support them and also to challenge them. Pupils welcome this. They value the wide range of extra opportunities that are provided for them. Leaders plan activities to support pupils' learning and to develop their talents and individual interests, for example the art club, sports clubs and Christian Club.

What the school should improve

• For a small number of pupils at the early stage of learning to read, the books they read are not always well matched to the sounds they are learning. This sometimes limits pupils' ability to use their prior knowledge of phonics to read fluently. Leaders should ensure that the books pupils read are well matched to the sounds pupils are learning, so that those who struggle to read are supported well to catch up.

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