St Clare's Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 February 2025

Pupils have a strong sense of community at this warm and caring school. They know the importance of treating others with kindness and with respect. Although many pupils arrive at different times during the year, they settle in remarkably quickly. Pupils want everybody to feel welcome. They appreciate the diversity that exists among their friends. The school has high expectations for pupils' achievement, including for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and for those who speak English as an additional language. Pupils are eager to meet these aspirations. In doing so, they receive positive acknowledgement, such as 'awesome awards', certificates and house points. Pupils' behaviour is exceptional. They have highly positive attitudes towards their learning, and they understand that it is important to try their best in all that they do. Pupils explained that this is why the school's motto of 'let your light shine' is so meaningful to them. Older pupils are keen to act as supportive role models for their younger peers. The school provides pupils with a range of experiences to enrich their wider development. For example, pupils attend clubs in sports, art, chess, yoga and poetry. They learn how to play musical instruments and can join the school's choir. Pupils' learning is extended through trips, including residentials and visits to museums, the town hall and Parliament.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the school has not determined the specific information that pupils need to know. This means that teachers are not clear on the important content that pupils should learn and when this should happen, resulting in some gaps in pupils' knowledge. The school should refine the curriculum in these subjects, so that pupils know and remember more across the curriculum.
• The school has not ensured that staff check pupils' written work consistently and carefully enough. As a result, pupils make some mistakes in their writing, which go unaddressed and linger over time. The school should support staff in addressing these errors as they arise, so that pupils secure accuracy in their written communication.

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