St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Esh Village

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 May 2022

At St Michael's, the school mission statement, 'Finding Christ in Each Other', is at the centre of every part of school life. Pupils love coming to school. They know how important it is to attend every day. They care about each other and the environment. Adults model positive relationships in school. Leaders have high expectations for every pupil. The curriculum is well planned. Leaders make sure that what pupils learn covers each subject in the national curriculum. Pupils find lessons interesting. The work in books and on display around the school shows that pupils are proud of their learning. Behaviour in lessons and at breaktimes is good. Adults have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils say that adults are fair and forgiving. This ensures that pupils behave well when they attend activities outside school too. Parents say that their children feel happy, safe and secure in school. Relationships between pupils and adults are warm and caring. Pupils know that adults will help them with their worries. Pupils say that bullying does not happen. They know that adults will sort it out if it does. They say that they feel safe. Pupils have many opportunities to develop their interests beyond the classroom. They have a 'voice' in school through, for example, the eco group, the anti-bullying committee and the school council. Pupil's well-being is a priority. Older pupils look after younger children in their role as school buddies, supporting them if they have worries. This helps children to settle into school.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, for example history and geography, the curriculums have been recently introduced. As a result, leaders do not know how well the curriculum is contributing to pupils knowing more and remembering more over time. Leaders should support subject leaders to evaluate the impact of the curriculum on pupils' learning in all subjects.
• Some pupils' knowledge of British values and different cultures is not well developed. Although pupils know how to respect difference, some are not as aware as they should be of what these differences may be. Leaders should ensure that pupils are provided with a wide range of opportunities to engage with views and beliefs different from their own.

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