St Sebastian's Catholic Primary School and Nursery

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 December 2024

Pupils value the caring relationships that they have with staff. Pupils trust that staff will help them if they have any worries or concerns. This helps pupils to feel happy at school. Children in the early years settle in and quickly develop positive learning behaviours. Pupils throughout the school build securely on these firm foundations. They are attentive in lessons and keen to share their thoughts and opinions. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), respond positively to the school's high expectations for their academic success. They achieve well. Pupils behave well. They are kind and considerate towards each other. They play sociably at breaktimes. Pupils take on leadership roles as 'active play leaders' and 'buddies'. They encourage physical activity and help younger pupils resolve any minor disputes. Pupils take pride in these additional responsibilities. This promotes their self-esteem and confidence. Pupils take full advantage of the wide range of activities the school provides for them. These include sports, choir, drama and board games clubs. These opportunities introduce pupils to new hobbies and develop their talents. Pupils love making a positive difference in the local community. For example, the choir sings to residents in nearby care homes, and children work together to fundraise for local charities.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the key knowledge pupils need to know and remember has not been identified precisely enough. This hampers teachers from designing suitable learning and from checking that pupils have secured the knowledge necessary for subsequent learning. As a result, some pupils do not learn as well as they could. The school should ensure teachers are clear on the essential knowledge pupils should learn in these subjects.
• The governing body does not have robust strategic oversight of the quality of education this school provides. This means it does not appropriately challenge or hold the school to account sufficiently well. The governing body should focus attention on its core duties so it can support the school more effectively in its improvement work.

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