St. Teresa's Roman Catholic Infant and Nursery School.
Headmistress: Miss Anna Gavin

Standards

Mission Statement  
The Mission Statement was a result of consultation with the governors, teaching staff, non-teaching staff, dinner ladies, caretaker and parents.
The Mission Statement is as follows:

MISSION STATEMENT

 

 

With Christ at our heart we grow, learn, laugh and love developing our potential whilst valuing and supporting the wider community.

 

 

 

CHILDREN’S MISSION STATEMENT

 

With Jesus we love, laugh and learn together.

 



Ofsted Report

The school was inspected in May 2007.  The school received an outstanding report.

Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1

St Teresa’s is an outstanding school where pupils flourish both academically and personally. Achievement is excellent, resulting in standards that are well above average in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 2. These exceptionally high standards have been maintained for many years. Whilst a dip is expected this year, the school’s data show that there has been no downturn in pupils’ progress with pupils achieving the predicted standards. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who are learning to speak English also achieve exceptionally well. This is due to the high level of skilled support the school provides for these groups. Pupils’ work in other subjects, such as information and communication technology (ICT), the arts and geography shows that high standards are reflected across the curriculum. This is the result of outstanding teaching and curriculum provision, based on the staff’s thorough knowledge of what constitutes the best early years education.

During their two years in the Foundation Stage, children come on in leaps and bounds. Their love of learning begins in the Nursery where play is truly seen as ‘the child’s work’. Within a stimulating environment the children are given endless opportunities to use all their senses to explore the world around them. Highly skilled staff know exactly how to intervene in play to take learning forward. The good grounding children receive here is built upon extremely well in Reception, so that by the end of the year, most children have achieved or exceeded the expected goals in all areas of learning.

All teachers have high expectations of pupils. They match work well to pupils’ needs and use a good range of methods and resources to ensure all achieve success through well-targeted challenge and support. Teaching assistants make a valuable contribution delivering specialist programmes in literacy, numeracy and English language teaching. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities also benefit immensely from the very good level of additional support provided. The curriculum centres around carefully planned topics that exploit pupils’ natural curiosity and eagerness to learn. Consequently, they develop basic skills, creativity, and knowledge of the world in meaningful and enjoyable contexts. Enrichment is extensive, including a strong focus on different cultures, French for all, exciting visits and visitors and a very good range of extra-curricular activities.

Pupils’ personal development, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. They have an excellent understanding of how to stay safe and keep healthy, with Year 2 ‘Sporty Leaders’ making an excellent contribution. Pupils are aware of and value people’s differences. Comments such as, ‘ it would be boring if everyone was the same’ and ‘I don’t mind if people think different things to me – it doesn’t matter’, reflect the impact of the school’s success in promoting pupils’ moral and cultural development. The high academic and personal standards attained prepare pupils well for the next stage of their education. However, pupils’ knowledge of their learning, for instance, their strengths, how they might improve, and their preferred learning styles is not as well developed.


The school provides a high level of care, guidance and support for pupils. Pastoral support and guidance is particularly strong, including rigorous systems to keep pupils safe. The school often ‘goes the extra mile’ to ensure all pupils can be included in what is offered. Pupils’ work is assessed regularly and individual progress is monitored meticulously to give every pupil the opportunity to reach their potential. Staff make excellent use of their extensive knowledge of pupils as individuals to promote learning. They frequently talk to pupils about their work and through marking offer praise and the occasional pointer for improvement. There is scope, however, to increase pupils’ involvement in the process so that they have a more explicit understanding of their learning.

Leadership and management are outstanding. The headteacher promotes a vision of continual improvement among staff. Through very effective teamwork she ensures that this is realised week in and week out. Providing the best for pupils underpins all that is done and spills over into the community. Parents are overwhelmingly appreciative of the significant impact the school makes to their children’s all round education. The comment, ‘My children have made amazing progress, grown in confidence and are happy’, is typical of many provided by parents.

The school makes excellent use of data and other information about pupils’ achievements to improve provision and target it purposefully to raise standards. Good examples of this are in mathematics, ICT, and to raise the attainment of boys. The strengths in leadership and management, including strong support from governors, show that the school has excellent capacity to improve further.

 

What the school should do to improve further

• Increase pupils’ understanding of and involvement in their learning.

Here is the letter written to the children by the Ofsted Inspector:

Dear Children

Inspection of St Teresa’s Catholic Infant and Nursery School

Thank you for making me so welcome when I came to visit your school recently. I enjoyed talking to you and watching you work and play. I would like to share with you what I found.

St Teresa’s is an outstanding school. At the start of the day you all came in cheerily saying ‘Bonjour’, which made me wonder whether I really was in Birkdale or France! You told me that you enjoy school and it was easy to see why. Your books and the walls were full of your wonderful writing and pictures, including some fantastic work done on the computers. You know a lot about different religions and festivals and I was glad to hear that you think it is ‘cool’ for people to be different. You work hard, which helps you to reach very good standards. Your teachers and all the staff also work hard to make lessons interesting and to help you learn as much as you can. I was particularly impressed with Year 2 pupils’ knowledge of the Great Fire of London and of all the things Year 1 had learned in science about light. When I looked at Reception children’s writing I couldn’t believe how well they had done since they joined the class last September. Last, but certainly not least, I loved hearing the Nursery children sing their rainbow song and thought how clever they were to be able to paint such lovely rainbow pictures.

I expect you know that your headteacher and the governors also work very hard and do a fantastic job in running the school. They are always thinking up new ideas to make things better, such as the creative playtime you like so much and the circus skills workshop.

Many of you may remember me asking you to tell me about the things you are good at and what you thought you could do better. I got some good answers, but not everyone was sure. That is why I have asked your teachers to think of ways to help you understand a bit more about your learning. You can help by thinking hard about your work and doing your best to improve the things your teachers say you could do better at.

I wish you all the very best for the future

Margot D’Arcy

Lead inspector

 A link to the complete St Teresa's Ofsted Report below:-
 http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=summary&id=104917

Basic Skills Quality Mark

The school has received four Quality Marks, the latest being in March 2008.  The school is judged on ten different areas covering Maths, Literacy and working with parents.

Active Mark

The school achieved this award in 2007. It demonstrates the school's commitment to providing high quality physical education.

Healthy School's Award

The school was granted this award in December 2006.

Financial Management Standard in Schools

This award was granted in March 2009 as a recognition of the school's thoroughness in handling its finances.

© St.Teresa's School, 2006. All rights reserved. No images may be reproduced without the permission of the School.