St Richard's RC Primary School, Manchester

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy and proud of their school. As members of the school houses, known as Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, they learn to connect together with other pupils and to enjoy friendly competition. Pupils understand and follow the school's rules. They behave themselves with impressive self-control from the moment that they enter the school gate. Pupils' behaviour in lessons and as they move around the school is impeccable.

Pupils are calm and learn to act responsibly. They actively encourage one another to become a 'walking superstar' and to travel to school on foot, by scooter or bicycle. Pupils develop a deep understanding of their responsibilities for the environment at school and in their local community. They understand the challenges that people face nationally and internationally about the climate. Pupils know the steps that they can take to reduce pressures on the planet's resources and climate.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Typically, pupils achieve well. Their attainment in some of the curriculum areas that are tested and assessed nationally is high. For example, pupils do well in their Year 4 multiplication tables check and go on to make strong progress in mathematics at the end of key stage 2. Pupils learn successfully because, in the main, the school has established a carefully thought-out curriculum that is delivered well. Staff use assessment strategies skilfully to check that pupils know and remember what they have been taught. Nevertheless, in a few subjects, some of the curriculum is less clear about the key information that staff will teach and assess. This means that, at times, some pupils learn less information than the school intends.

Staff follow the chosen phonics programme carefully. They act to provide weaker readers with the extra support that they need to keep up in their learning. Staff link their phonics teaching effectively with helping pupils to use new words and to write about their learning and ideas. Children's learning in the early years includes the important skill of holding a pencil accurately to write. Pupils learn to read, talk and write fluently. Throughout the school, pupils develop a love for reading. Starting in the early years, the school introduces children to many fascinating authors and their works.

Behaviour & attitudes.

Quality of education, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.

Bus Stops