St Cuthberts Catholic Primary School, Berwick

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 May 2025

Pupils thrive at St Cuthberts Catholic First School, Berwick. They are welcomed into school each day by friendly and caring staff. Pupils behave extremely well in lessons and when playing together at breaktimes. They are eager to learn and willing to help. Pupils are happy to attend the school, which one parent, echoing the views of many parents and carers, said has a 'huge heart'. The school makes full use of the local area to deliver and enhance the curriculum. Pupils' knowledge and skills are developed through educational visits to local museums, practical investigations on Northumbrian beaches and residential stays on the site of an Anglo- Saxon settlement. Pupils in Years 1 to 4 have a secure knowledge of water safety from their weekly swimming lessons. The school has high expectations of its pupils. Pupils respond well to these expectations. For example, in this small first school, all Year 1 pupils reached the expected standard in the phonics screening check in 2024. They enter Year 2 as very able early readers. The school's staff have a deep knowledge of the pupils and their families. The individual needs of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are being met increasingly well.

What the school should improve

• The core knowledge and themes that link learning together are not identified consistently well in the school's curriculum. As a result, the school's ability to plan activities that build links in pupils' knowledge and understanding is hindered. The school should review the existing curriculum to ensure that the core content and the links between core content are explicit and delivered with clarity by staff.

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