St Finian's Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 May 2026

Pupils arrive happily each morning excited for the day ahead. They are very proud of their school. Pupils know it is a safe place where staff care about them, listen to their views and support their wellbeing. Relationships are warm and nurturing between pupils and staff. Pupils live by the school values of ‘respectful, responsible and ready’ and through the catholic social teaching, understand life in modern Britain and the wider world. Pupils typically behave well in lessons. They listen well and actively take part in discussions and interactions with their teachers and peers. Pupils say any unkindness or bullying rarely happens. They know it will be dealt with if it were to occur. Pupils also feel empowered to sort friendship fall outs themselves as well as asking adults for help if they need it. Leadership opportunities such as bistro buddies or play leaders allow older pupils to support their younger peers well. Pupil attendance is high. They have positive attitudes to school and are keen to experience all that the school offers. Pupils enjoy learning and appreciate the wide range of enrichment activities made available, especially the vast array of sporting experiences that are well planned. Typically, in the core subjects of reading, writing and mathematics, pupils achieve well and in line with national expectations. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and pupils who are disadvantaged. Staff provide effective support that helps to reduce pupils' barriers to learning or to accessing other aspects of school life. Everyone is included at St Finian’s. Leadership roles, such as eco-councillors, ‘mini-Vinnies’ and reading ambassadors, develop pupils’ character. Pupils become resilient, independent and responsible by the time they leave the school. They are well prepared for their next stages of education.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that their high ambition for the curriculum and teaching is consistently embedded and that the task design of activities enables pupils to deepen their learning over time.
• Leaders should continue to embed strategies for developing writing skills so that they can continue to improve pupils' achievement.

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