Happy and confident pupils at Northumberland school

Happy and confident pupils are proud of being part of the school family of St Paul’s Catholic Primary, Alnwick, says its latest Ofsted report.

They exemplify the school’s values, including empathy, resilience and positivity, which help underpin all that happens. Leaders have very high expectations of all pupils, and those expectations are realised.

“Pupils understand and embody equality and tolerance. They reflect this in their day-to-day attitudes to each other. Pupils are proud to hold positions of responsibility across the school and fulfil these roles with diligence,” the report says.

“Lessons proceed without disruption. Pupils have positive attitudes to learning and enjoy lessons and engage well with their learning. Leaders have crafted a curriculum tailored to the local area. This helps to make pupils’ learning relevant and exciting,” it adds.

St Paul’s is a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust​ and has 224 pupils aged from two to 11-years-old on its roll.

“I am very proud of our skilled and dedicated staff who ensure all our children are well supported to achieve their true potential and work hard with families to overcome any barriers to learning,” said Headteacher Mrs Eileen Lomax.

“The Ofsted report highlighted many areas of excellence and positivity and everyone involved with the wider school community is delighted that it reflects the strengths of our school and its strong Christian ethos.”

The school’s personal development was described as ‘exceptional’ and the inspection said it ‘goes beyond the expected, providing pupils with a wide and rich series of experiences.’

“Pupils talk with excitement about a recent visit from an astronaut and the opportunities they enjoy for adventurous activities along the coast. Some pupils visited Alnwick Gardens to better understand the importance of healthy eating. They grew their own food which was used in the school kitchens,” says the report.

The school’s senior leadership team has overseen a process of development and improvement across the curriculum and subject leaders are both knowledgeable and committed.

“Effective support and adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) allow them to access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers,” the inspection noted.

“Two-year-old children experience high-quality interactions with adults from their first day in the school’s ‘Little Lambs’ provision.

“There is a sharp focus across early years and into key stage 1 on learning to read. Where pupils require additional support for phonics, staff deliver timely and focused interventions. Pupils develop confidence and fluency in reading. They develop a tangible love of reading. Older pupils enjoy the numerous opportunities they get to read for pleasure.”