St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 January 2023

Staff and pupils are proud to be part of this forward-looking and hard-working school community. Pupils talk excitedly about their school and look forward to attending each day. Staff and pupils model the school values of 'respect, kindness, resilience and unity' at every turn. Together, everyone contributes enthusiastically to a culture founded on mutual respect and care. Pupils are safe at school. If bullying should happen, adults resolve any issues. Leaders want the very best for each pupil and set high standards. They have recognised the challenges of the pandemic and continue to support all pupils. To do this, leaders have brought everyone together to restate and reaffirm their high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Consequently, pupils behave well and are eager to learn. Staff celebrate pupils' hard work and commitment, and pupils strive to earn their 'totally trusted' badges. One parent typically summed this up by saying, 'The teachers are extremely professional, caring and have all the children's interests at the core of everything they do'. The curriculum extends well beyond the classroom. Pupils experience a range of activities that build their awareness of the wider world. These include international week, vocational day and visits to the Houses of Parliament to learn about democracy.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, leaders have not defined in sufficient detail the most important new knowledge pupils need to learn. In these subjects, it is too often left to teachers to determine the specific knowledge that pupils need to acquire. As a result, in these areas, teachers do not have a secure understanding of what pupils have learned before and what will come next. Leaders should ensure that the curriculum provides teachers in each subject with a clear, shared and detailed understanding of the important building blocks of knowledge that pupils need to draw on in their future learning.
• Leaders have not fully ensured that the curriculum for a small number of pupils with SEND is appropriately adapted and expertly delivered. This means that the specific complex needs of these pupils are not being fully met. Leaders should ensure that they action their detailed and comprehensive plans so that all pupils with SEND benefit from an ambitious curriculum that is implemented effectively.
• Leaders have not ensured that all early years staff accurately gauge children's learning as they participate in the planned activities throughout the day. As a result, some adults are not able to identify and address emerging gaps in children's learning in some areas of the curriculum. Leaders should ensure that staff check children's learning in the early years precisely and accurately so that they know how well children have understood the intended curriculum.

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