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• Our Recent Ofsted Inspection

  Thu 27 Jun 2024

  We Did It! 🎉**

  We are incredibly proud to announce that Euxton St. Mary's Catholic Primary School has achieved a "Good" rating in all areas in our recent Ofsted inspection! 🏆

  The inspectors noted that our pupils are very happy at our school, describing it as a kind and caring place to be. Our older pupils especially play a significant role in fostering this positive environment (I think we all spotted this on our recent sports day)

  Thank you to our dedicated staff, wonderful pupils, and supportive community for making this achievement possible!

   

  Inspection of St. Mary’s Catholic

  Primary School Euxton

  Wigan Road, Euxton, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 6JW

  Inspection dates: 14 and 15 May 2024

  Overall effectiveness Good

  The quality of education Good

  Behaviour and attitudes Good

  Personal development Good

  Leadership and management Good

  Early years provision Good

  Previous inspection grade Outstanding

   

  This school was last inspected under section 5 of the Education Act 2005 12 years

  ago and judged ‘Outstanding’ under a previous inspection framework. This reflected

  the school’s overall effectiveness under the inspection framework in use at the time.

  From then until November 2020, the school was exempted by law from routine

  inspection, so there has been a longer gap than usual between graded inspections

  under section 5 of the Act. Judgements in this report are based on the current

  inspection framework and also reflect changes that may have happened at any point

  since the last graded inspection.Inspection report: St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Euxton

  14 and 15 May 2024 2

  What is it like to attend this school?

  Pupils are very happy at this school. They told inspectors that the school is a kind

  and caring place to be. Older pupils play their part in creating a positive environment

  by serving as ‘buddies’ for children in the Reception Year. Pupils enjoy playing ball

  games in the designated area, affectionately known as the ‘ball park’

  , at play times.

  Pupils behave sensibly and are kept safe at these social times.

  The school provides plenty of additional opportunities for pupils to develop their

  talents and interests. For example, there is a range of extra-curricular clubs that run

  before and after school. These range from taekwondo and tennis clubs in the

  mornings to reading, science and languages clubs at other points in the school day.

  There is also a choir for key stage 2 pupils to further explore their interest in music.

  The school is ambitious for what pupils, including those with special educational

  needs and/or disabilities (SEND), should learn. The school’s published data for 2023

  demonstrates that, in English and mathematics, pupils typically achieve highly by the

  time they leave in Year 6.

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

  better?

  The school has recently overhauled much of its curriculum to ensure that it is

  broader and more balanced. The school has outlined its expectations for what pupils

  should learn by the end of each year in each subject. Typically, the school has

  broken down these expectations into smaller, logical steps of curriculum content. It

  has provided teachers with useful guidance on how to deliver this content. The

  curriculum changes are starting to help teachers to deliver new learning in a more

  effective, coherent way than before. That said, where the curriculum is not as well

  embedded, some pupils have not acquired the same deep, rich body of knowledge

  in these subjects as they have in others.

  With some subject curriculums being new, the school is still refining some

  curriculum content to better suit its individual context. This includes parts of the

  early years curriculum. The school is still developing its thinking to adapt the

  delivery of some curriculum subjects to suit the needs of pupils, including those with

  SEND. In a few subjects, this means that the activities provided are not as effective

  as they could be in helping pupils to learn all that they should.

  The school has introduced new systems to help it evaluate the delivery and

  effectiveness of new subject curriculums. In some subjects, this leads to the school

  taking appropriate actions to address deficiencies in curriculum design and

  implementation. However, in some other subjects, the school’s curriculum oversight

  is not as secure. This means that remedial actions to address some issues are not as

  swift as they could be.

  The school uses appropriate questioning strategies during lessons to check how well

  pupils understand new content. Assessment information is used particularly well toInspection report: St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Euxton

  14 and 15 May 2024 3

  generate phonics activities that help pupils to address their individual knowledge

  gaps.

  The school ensures that children learn through its chosen phonics programme as

  soon as they begin in the Reception Year. Well-trained staff deliver the programme

  with fidelity. Pupils typically read books that are suited to their current stage of

  reading. Where needed, pupils receive regular catch-up support. Almost all pupils

  meet the phonics screening check in Year 1. They begin key stage 2 as fluent,

  confident readers.

  The school has sufficient systems in place to identify pupils with SEND early. In

  some subjects, it makes suitable adaptations to help these pupils to access their

  learning.

  The school caters well for many aspects of pupils’ personal development. For

  example, it invites artists and forensic scientists into school to bring pupils’ learning

  to life. It arranges careers events for older pupils to consider their future aspirations.

  The school teaches pupils how to look after their physical and mental health. That

  said, the school does not cater for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural

  education as well as it could. Consequently, pupils do not develop a strong

  awareness of the diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and beliefs of others.

  Pupils have a positive attitude to their education. They engage well in lessons and

  conduct themselves sensibly around the school. This includes children in the early

  years. Pupils have high rates of attendance. Few pupils are persistently absent.

  Staff were roundly positive about working at the school. Governors are mindful of

  staff well-being. They conduct regular surveys to gather and respond to staff’s

  views. Governors are passionate about the school and fulfil their duties effectively.

  Safeguarding

  The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

  What does the school need to do to improve?

  (Information for the school and appropriate authority)

  ◼ The school is still developing its ability to adapt the delivery of the curriculum to

  meet the needs of its pupils, including those with SEND. Consequently, pupils do

  not develop a rich body of knowledge in some subjects. The school should

  complete its curriculum refinements and ensure that staff are well equipped to

  adapt the delivery of curriculum content to suit the needs of pupils.

  ◼ The school does not cater for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural education

  as well as it could. As such, pupils do not have a broad knowledge of people’s

  different cultures, beliefs and backgrounds. The school should ensure that itInspection report: St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Euxton

  14 and 15 May 2024 4

  promotes diversity well so that pupils can broaden their view of the world and

  people’s differences.

  ◼ The school’s oversight of some subject curriculums is not as secure as it is in

  others. Consequently, the school’s actions to address some issues in curriculum

  design and delivery are not as swift as they are in other subjects. The school

  should review its approaches to evaluating the effectiveness of its curriculum

  design and delivery.

  How can I feed back my views?

  You can use Ofsted Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school,

  or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted

  Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as

  part of their inspection.

  The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a

  school.

  Further information

  You can search for published performance information about the school.

  In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ is used to mean pupils with special educational

  needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need

  of help and protection; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a

  social worker; and pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the

  school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at any

  point in the last six years, looked after children (children in local authority care)

  and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route).Inspection report: St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Euxton

  14 and 15 May 2024 5

  School details

  Unique reference number 119676

  Local authority Lancashire

  Inspection number 10294331

  Type of school Primary

  School category Voluntary aided

  Age range of pupils 4 to 11

  Gender of pupils Mixed

  Number of pupils on the school roll 208

  Appropriate authority The governing body

  Chair of governing body David Tootell

  Headteacher Sue Noblet

  Website www.euxton-st-marys.lancs.sch.uk

  Date of previous inspection 5 November 2020, under section 8 of the

  Education Act 2005

  Information about this school

  ◼ There have been several changes in headteacher since the last inspection. The

  current headteacher was appointed in September 2021. A new SEND coordinator

  took up position in January 2023.

  ◼ Leaders do not make use of alternative provision.

  ◼ The school is a voluntary aided Catholic primary school. The most recent section

  48 inspection of the school’s religious character took place across February and

  March 2024. The school is awaiting confirmation from the archdiocese about its

  next section 48 inspection.

  Information about this inspection

  The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education

  Act 2005.

  ◼ Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s

  education provision.Inspection report: St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Euxton

  14 and 15 May 2024 6

  ◼ This was the second routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19

  pandemic began. Inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic

  with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.

  ◼ Inspectors conducted deep dives in these subjects: art and design, early reading

  and mathematics. They met with subject leaders and teachers. They visited

  lessons, looked at examples of pupils’ work and talked with groups of pupils

  about their learning. The lead inspector observed pupils read to a familiar adult.

  ◼ Inspectors also considered the curriculum, spoke with pupils about their learning

  and evaluated their work in some other subjects.

  ◼ The lead inspector spoke with a group of governors. Inspectors also talked to

  staff about their workload and well-being.

  ◼ The inspectors spoke with a representative of the local authority and the

  archdiocese.

  ◼ Inspectors met with the leaders who are responsible for attendance, behaviour

  and pupils’ personal development.

  ◼ Inspectors spoke with pupils about their wider experience of school.

  ◼ Inspectors looked at a range of policies and documents related to pupils’ welfare

  and education. They observed pupils’ behaviour in lessons and around the school.

  ◼ To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, inspectors reviewed the single

  central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and

  considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive

  culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

  ◼ Inspectors took account of the responses to Ofsted’s online survey for staff. There

  were no responses to the pupil survey.

  ◼ Inspectors met with parents at the start of the school day and took account of

  the responses to Ofsted Parent View, including the free-text responses.

  Inspection team

  David Spruce, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

  Cleo Cunningham Ofsted Inspector

  Olivia Barnes Ofsted InspectorInspection report: St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Euxton

  14 and 15 May 2024 7

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• Congratulations to our year 5 Netball team

  Thu 02 May 2024

  Congratulations to our Year 5 netball team for their stellar performance at the recent tournament hosted by Chorley Sports Partnership. Your achievements and exceptional sportsmanship make us immensely proud

  

• Take a look at our bug hotel

  Mon 29 Apr 2024

  Our Reception children have been busy bees this week, showcasing their top-notch construction skills to create this amazing bug hotel! Did you know a bug hotel provides a safe haven for various insects? Here are some benefits:

   

  1. Biodiversity: Bug hotels attract a diverse range of insects, promoting biodiversity in the local ecosystem.
  2. Natural Pest Control: Many bugs housed in the hotel, such as ladybugs and lacewings, are natural predators of garden pests, helping to control their populations.
  3. Pollination: Some bugs, like bees and butterflies, are important pollinators. Providing them a habitat encourages pollination, benefiting nearby plants and flowers.
  4. Education: Bug hotels offer an opportunity for children to learn about different insect species, their habitats, and their roles in the environment.
  5. Environmental Awareness: Building and maintaining bug hotels raise awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting natural habitats for insects and other wildlife.
  6. Seasonal Interest: Bug hotels provide year-round interest as different insect species may inhabit them during different seasons, offering ongoing learning opportunities.

   

  Thank you Mrs. Chester, Mrs. Thomas, and all the wonderful students in our Reception class for their hard work in creating this Beautiful bug hotel. Your dedication to creating a safe haven for our insect friends is truly appreciated.