St Veronica's Roman Catholic Primary School, Helmshore

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 May 2024

Pupils are happy and proud to belong to this welcoming school. They told inspectors how much they appreciate the varied experiences that the school provides. This includes opportunities for pupils to practise their sewing skills or to be part of the chaplaincy team. Through activities such as these, pupils strengthen their talents and develop new interests. Pupils also understand the benefits of regular physical activities. For example, they value times when they can access the school's outdoor wooded area. Pupils are considerate and kind. They have a secure understanding of diversity and how this enriches society. Pupils' positive behaviour in class and during social times enhances the calm and orderly atmosphere around the school. The school has high expectations for the academic achievement of all pupils. Pupils typically achieve well across a range of subjects. They are well prepared for the demands of secondary school. Pupils know that the school expects them to try their best. They described how the school helps them if they are worried or find aspects of their learning difficult. Staff understand individual pupils' needs well. They make sure that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from everything that the school has to offer.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, the school has not clarified the detail of what pupils need to learn and the order in which this should occur. This impacts on how effectively teachers check and ensure that pupils learn what they most need to. As a result, at times, some pupils' knowledge is not as secure as it could be across the curriculum. The school should ensure that teachers have sufficient clarity about the essential knowledge that pupils should learn and when this content should be taught.
• The school's arrangements for checking on the quality of education that pupils receive are not as effective as they could be. On occasion, this limits how well the school defines its priorities and allocates its resources. The school should consider how it can gather the accurate and up-to-date information that it needs to evaluate the impact of the curriculum more effectively.
• The school does not ensure that pupils develop a secure understanding and appreciation of a wide range of cultures. This limits how well pupils are prepared for living in a modern and diverse society. The school should ensure that pupils develop secure understanding of cultures other than their own.

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