St Simon's Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 June 2023

Pupils and families at St Simon's Catholic Primary School are warmly welcomed by staff every morning. Pupils, parents and carers are highly positive about the quality of education that staff provide. Many pupils comment on the strong relationships they have with staff. Pupils say that they trust staff to help them if they have any worries or concerns. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe. Leaders expect pupils to strive to be the very best that they can be academically. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), try their best to meet the high expectations that leaders have of them. Typically, pupils learn well. This includes children in the early years, who achieve well. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They know the high standards of conduct that leaders expect of them. Pupils enjoy socialising with their friends at breaktimes and lunchtimes. They get along with each other well. Pupils comment that if bullying occurs, staff deal with it effectively. Pupils in Year 6 take great pride in being special friends for children in Reception. This helps new children settle into school well. The interests of pupils are captured by the wide range of curriculum enhancements offered, such as yoga and outdoor learning. Pupils also enjoy representing the school in sporting competitions.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, leaders have not decided the important information that pupils should learn. As a result, some teachers are not clear about what they should teach and when to teach it. This means that some pupils do not learn all that they should in these subjects. Leaders should make sure that teachers know what to teach pupils and the order they should teach it. This is so that pupils can build up a rich body of knowledge in these subjects.
• Sometimes, leaders do not make sure that pupils have the opportunity to recap and revisit prior learning. As a result, occasionally, some pupils lack confidence in remembering what they have been taught. Leaders should make sure that teachers provide pupils with opportunities to revisit prior learning so that they know more and remember more over time.

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