Inspectors Steven Cartlidge and Linda Brown visited SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary Academy and found it to be Good overall, highlighting the effectiveness of leadership and management, and the personal development, behaviour and welfare of pupils as being outstanding.
They said that headteacher Jenny Byrne leads a "committed team with a shared vision for the school", and that senior leaders are "uncompromising in their work to improve the quality of education". Leaders at all levels are “highly aspirational”.
Teaching across the school is good. Children "get off to a good start in the early years", becoming "confident and independent learners", and leaders' actions "have brought about greater consistency and better outcomes for pupils". In addition, the effective work of the Newbridge school's knowledgeable middle leaders is "directly linked to the improvements in pupils' outcomes".
Teachers have high expectations of their pupils, using "questioning well to check pupils’ understanding and to help them think carefully about their learning".
Senior leaders place a high priority on the wellbeing of pupils and staff, creating a "happy, harmonious community, where all feel valued".
Staff morale is very high, and pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is at the heart of the curriculum and a strength of the school. They demonstrate "exemplary" attitudes to learning, and their "behaviour is impeccable", working hard to achieve their best. Pupils’ views are encouraged, and staff and leaders listen to them and act on their feedback.
Inspectors also found the school benefits from "high quality" support from the governors which has helped it make "rapid progress since the last inspection", when it was found to require improvement.
Mrs Byrne said: “This inspection marks a new beginning for SS Peter and Paul and we are delighted to put historic underperformance well in to the past.
“This is a great school and I am very proud of the report. Over the last 3 years steady and sustained improvements show we are getting it right for our children and these young people deserve the very best.”
Ann Shorthouse, Chair of Governors, added: “I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of all our staff under the leadership of Mrs Byrne has been recognised in this very well deserved Ofsted report. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their tireless hard work and commitment which continues to ensure the very best for all our pupils and families. SS Peter and Paul is a very happy place to work and learn."
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “I would like to pass on my congratulations to everyone at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary Academy.
“This is an excellent report in which the passion, commitment and high aspirations of Jenny Byrne and all her team really shines through. It is also wonderful to read how outstandingly well behaved the children are, which reflects how much they love being at their school.”
To find out more about education in Wolverhampton, please visit Education and Schools.
