Children, teachers and families are celebrating after a Garston school was given a clean bill of health by Ofsted.

St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School was told it remains 'good' following an ungraded inspection in late September, published on Monday (November 2).

An ungraded inspection is done by Ofsted around four years after a school has been given a 'good' or 'outstanding' grade to confirm its standards have been maintained. 

St Catherine of Siena, which is part of the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust, was described as an “encouraging environment” by inspectors.

Watford Observer: Pupils and staff are celebrating the good news. Pupils and staff are celebrating the good news. (Image: St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School)

Pupils “happily attend” and “celebrate each other’s successes and are proud of each other”.

Watford Observer: It was the first ungraded inspection since 2014. It was the first ungraded inspection since 2014. (Image: St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School)

Nicola Kane, headteacher at St Catherine of Siena, said: “We are thrilled that the inspector recognised the strengths within St Catherine’s. As ever, our children were our greatest advocates: by the way they spoke so enthusiastically about the school and by embodying everything the school represents.  

“Our pupils live out our mission statement of, ‘Be who God created you to be and you will set the world on fire’ - they are a credit to their families and the school."  

She continued: “I feel blessed to serve such a supportive school community. The staff and governors at St Catherine’s are exceptional – they continually go above and beyond for our children.” 

Watford Observer: St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School is in Garston. St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School is in Garston. (Image: St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School)

Inspectors also said the school had a “a well-sequenced curriculum that develops pupils’ skills and knowledge over time”.

Staff were found to “have created imaginative and exciting activities for children to carry out” and are “well-trained”.

Pat Murden, Diocese of Westminster Trust CEO, said: “I am delighted that the commitment and hard work of the school leaders and staff has been recognised by Ofsted.  

The report acknowledged that “pupils behave well” and “listen to the teacher and each other” when in class.

However, while reporting areas that could be improved, the school was told it was “not using consistent and clear teacher exposition and subject-specific language” when teaching children in some subjects.

Students also “find it harder to explain their thinking and understanding”, which means they “do not learn the curriculum with the clarity and depth leaders intend”.