Children with ‘first-class attitudes’ enjoy learning at ‘loving and caring’ St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
The halls of St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Sunderland are buzzing with pride after a glowing Ofsted report hailed the school’s “loving and caring” environment and the “exceptional” progress of its pupils.
The inspection, conducted in January, painted a picture of a school where children thrive, both academically and personally. Ofsted lead inspector Belita Scott’s report lauded the school’s “very highest academic expectations,” noting that by the end of Key Stage 2, students achieve reading, writing, and mathematics standards “well above the national average.”
A love for learning and a culture of care
But it’s not just about the numbers. The report highlighted the students’ genuine enthusiasm for learning. “Pupils love learning at St Joseph’s,” Scott wrote, emphasising how well-prepared they are for secondary education. The children themselves described the school as “loving and caring,” a testament to the supportive atmosphere fostered by staff and students alike.
“They appreciate the supportive environment,” the report stated, and this is reflected in the students’ “exemplary” behaviour. From the classroom to the playground, pupils demonstrate respect for each other, their teachers, and the school as a whole. Friendship fixers and playground buddies ensure harmonious breaktimes, while the pupils’ parliament actively contributes to improving outdoor play and learning.
Beyond the classroom: enrichment and inclusion
St. Joseph’s goes beyond traditional academics, offering a rich and varied curriculum enhanced by educational visits and exciting extracurricular activities like glow stick dancing and musical theatre. “The exciting curriculum is enhanced through educational visits in the locality and wider afield, including residential experiences in Key Stage 2,” the report noted.
The school’s commitment to inclusivity is also evident. “The school’s curriculum is adapted well for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils with SEND make excellent progress,” the report confirmed. Furthermore, the early years program excels in developing communication and language, especially for the significant number of children who speak English as an additional language.
A community celebration
Executive Head Teacher Marie Graham expressed her delight at the Ofsted findings, attributing the school’s success to the collective effort of staff, students, parents, and the wider community. “We are absolutely delighted that Ofsted has recognised the dedication, passion and hard work of our staff, our wonderful pupils, governors, the support from our parents and carers, and our wider school community,” she said.
The report’s emphasis on “exemplary” behaviour, “kind and caring children,” and “the highest academic expectations” reflects the school’s core values. St. Joseph’s stands as a shining example of a primary school where children are nurtured, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “What shines through in the Ofsted report is the school’s commitment to nurturing not just bright minds, but also kind and respectful individuals.
“St. Joseph’s is clearly making a profound and positive impact on its students, making it an inspiration to all schools in the region and beyond. Congratulations, St Joseph’s.”
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School is a Schools North East Partner School. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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