Leaders 'tenaciously promote high attendance' at this Leeds primary school - Ofsted report
‘All staff champion the transformational impact a good education has on future achievements’
A primary school in Leeds has been praised by Ofsted inspectors for its ‘exceptional’ attendance and behaviour.
Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, located on Halton Moor Avenue, Wykebeck, received an ‘exceptional’ rating in the category of attendance and behaviour - during an Ofsted visit on September 9.
The school received a ‘Strong standard’ rating in five of the remaining six categories - achievement, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing.
Previously rated as Good under Ofsted’s old scoring system in 2022, they scored an ‘Expected standard’ rating in the one remaining category of early years.
“Leaders tenaciously promote high attendance,” the education watchdog said. “All staff champion the transformational impact a good education has on future achievements. Leaders analyse attendance data in detail and are proactive in supporting families.
“Behaviour is exemplary. Leaders embed a culture of high expectations for behaviour through clear routines, which pupils understand and follow consistently. This results in a calm, orderly environment where pupils care for each other and thrive in their learning.”
Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve very well from their starting points, according to the report. They have the knowledge and skills they need to access the rich and varied curriculum.
Staff have designed a curriculum built on high expectations. They provide the support pupils need to be successful in their learning. Leaders ensure that the curriculum is taught consistently from a clear outline of what pupils need to learn.
Effective adjustments are made so that all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face additional barriers to learning, can “benefit from lessons fully.”
Leaders create an inclusive culture across school. They ensure all pupils, including those with the most complex needs, can participate fully in wider school life.
Inspectors added: “Pupils receive a warm welcome into the Corpus Christi family. The Catholic ethos of the school as 'one body, many parts’ promotes kindness and respect.
“Classroom environments are calm and purposeful. Pupils take pride in their work. They speak articulately about their learning, listen actively to others and debate with respect.”
Focusing on next steps, the report added that the school should continue to strengthen the early years curriculum by identifying clear, small steps in learning to support “precise teaching and assessment.”
Leaders at all levels have a clear vision for the school, according to inspectors. Their “continual drive” to live out the school's ethos and create a Corpus Christi family is palpable.
Staff across school provide tailored pastoral support for pupils. Systems for pupils to report worries and share feelings are highly effective and used daily. Time is given throughout the day to provide emotional support.