Primary school in north London gets Ofsted rating improvement

St Edward’s Catholic Primary School in Lisson Grove has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for behaviour and attitudes and early years provision.

The voluntary-aided school was overall rated ‘requires improvement’ in 2019 with inspectors then finding particular weakness with the quality of education and staff leadership.

However these two areas are now ‘good’ as well as personal development, which remains ‘good’.

Inspectors said in their report: “Pupils are enthusiastic about coming here. They speak knowledgeably about the broad range of subjects they study. Pupils become confident, resilient learners. They achieve well and are well prepared for the next stage of their education.”

Pupils become members of the school’s eco-council and playground ambassadors are positive role models for other students, they added.

Leaders are “ambitious” and the curriculum is “well developed”.

They also encourage the youngsters to support one another.

The report adds: “Leaders are mindful of staff well-being and workload.

“Leaders and staff are supported effectively by the partner trust and local authority.”

The governing body also provides strong support and challenge to leaders, Ofsted said.

The previous inspection found teachers did not adapt what pupils learnt in mathematics and science well enough for pupils with SEND (special education needs or disabilities).

This has now vastly improved with inspectors reporting: “Leaders ensure that pupils with SEND receive the support they need.

“Teachers receive training to help them understand pupils’ individual needs. They adapt their teaching and resources to help pupils with SEND access the same curriculum as others, when appropriate.”

The school, which has 201 pupils and supported by the Cardinal Hume Academies Trust, missed out on the highest overall rating as “sometimes, teaching does not check pupils’ misconceptions consistently well” which leads to “inconsistencies in pupils’ subject-specific knowledge and understanding”.

Inspectors added: “Leaders should ensure that all teachers address any misconceptions in pupils’ knowledge and understanding so that they are fully ready for new content.”

This was the first routine inspection the school received since the Covid-19 
pandemic began.

“Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school,” Ofsted said.