Pupil Outcomes

The challenge and support from St Ann’s School Committee, and through the way in which they hold leaders to account has resulted in strong pupil achievement. All data sets are above national, and significantly so in most cases (i.e. 10% and above). In spite of our changing context, 77.2% of EYs pupils achieved a Good Level of Development (23% were on track at Baseline) with 85% achieving the ELG for Communication, Language and Literacy. 92% have finished Y1 achieving the expected standard on the Phonics Screening Check (93% if you remove the child who was disapplied, all other pupils are SEND or being monitored for SEND and summer born). Following the Phonics Screening Check resit in Y2, 100% have now achieved the expected standard. At the end of KS1, standards across all subjects have risen slightly with 86% achieving ARE in Reading, 81% in Writing and 83% in Maths. 88% of Y4 pupils have achieved 80%+ in the Multiplication Timetables Check (90% of PP pupils), 41% achieving 100% and the average score was 23. At KS2, 83% achieved the expected standard in Reading (3 pupils were 1 mark off achieving ARE), 82% in Writing, 80% in Maths (2 pupils were 1 mark off achieving ARE), 82% in GaPS, with 72% achieving RWM combined. The percentage of pupils achieving Greater Depth is also strong (32% in Reading – 3 pupils were 1 mark off achieving GDS, 15% in Writing, 32% in Maths – 2 pupils were 1 mark off achieving GDS, and 28% in GaPS). All data was in line, if not slightly better than projections. There are no significant gaps in any subjects between PP and all pupils across the school, in fact PP pupils have outperformed non-PP pupils in the Y1 Phonics Screening Check, at 80%+ in the Y4 MTC and in Reading at KS2. Pupils with SEND, unless severe and with other complicating factors, are also making strong progress.  

Keeping on Track SIAMS Visit

Our School Committee were instrumental to the positive outcome of our Keeping on Track SIAMs visit (Nov 2023). Led by the Foundation Governors, together they hold leaders to account for upholding the Christian principles and values on which St Ann’s was founded and for ensuring these are lived out in the life of the school. They continue to secure the Anglican ethos and Christian distinctiveness of St Ann’s through their personal faith and their theologically rooted Christian vision for education which meets the needs of the school community and enables all people to flourish. The School Committee has successfully ensured Religious Education, has assumed its status as a core subject, and that along with Collective Worship, it remains at the heart of our curriculum.  

The KOT report highlighted the following key strengths: 

1. The school supports and promotes equality and inclusion. Pastoral support for pupils, and support for families, is exemplary. As a result, relationships and partnerships are exceptionally strong at all levels enabling all pupils to flourish.

2. Collective worship is inspiring and at the heart of the school community. There are many innovative opportunities for pupils and adults to develop spiritually.

3. Religious education plays a central role in the life of the school. Carefully planned experiences, designed to deepen pupils’ understanding, lead to high levels of understanding of Christianity and other major world faiths.

Curriculum

Members of the School Committee have carried out their responsibility for ensuring a high-quality pupil experience at St Ann’s, by meeting with individual curriculum leaders. These sessions deepened Governors’ knowledge about each subject’s curriculum, informed them about academic standards within that subject area and outlined how that curriculum provision meets the needs of all children, especially the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. Governors contributed appropriately during the sessions by showing support for developments within each respective subject and asking relevant questions to hold leaders to account for their area of responsibility. Whilst meeting with each subject leader, the School Committee were provided with the opportunity to monitor progress towards key priorities and consider future school improvement priorities. Governors oversaw the outcome of monitoring activities that had taken place, considered how each curriculum promotes pupil wellbeing and reflected on where the school supports the local community. Engagement showed Governors are interested in their own development, as the sessions also acted as a training opportunity, and enabled future developmental needs to be determined.

Attendance

Whole school compulsory attendance for 2023-24 was 96.32%, with compulsory PA standing at 5.41%. This compares favourably with both National and local attendance data (National – 94.5% PA 15.1%, St Helens – 94.4% PA 15%). This attendance is especially strong when you consider 1227 sessions were lost to holidays in term time (an increase of 156 compared with the previous year). Attendance is a focus at every School Committee meeting, and each safeguarding meeting between the HT and Chair. This is because Governors are relentless in pursuing their vision for strong school attendance for every child. On receipt of monitoring reports about attendance, School Committee meeting minutes show that members ensure compliance with the Trust Attendance policy, and question if agreed procedures are being implemented. Governors seek to understand the impact of attendance initiatives on promoting positive attendance. The School Committee reflects on the progress being made towards our Attendance action plan and advocate for improved school attendance for the most vulnerable, including pupils qualifying for pupil premium and pupils with SEND. Governors know that strong school attendance impacts positively on pupil wellbeing and are keen to ensure school, parents and pupils are fulfilling their responsibilities as outlined in their Home School Agreement.

Policies, Prospectus, Home School Agreement & Equality Action Plan

The School Committee have once again ensured Trust-wide policies have been adopted and followed at St Ann’s so that procedures are implemented consistently across the Trust. They have also recommended for adoption the Admissions, Early Years and SEND policies, as well as approved the school prospectus, Home-School Agreement and Equality Action Plan. Members are keen to ensure school complies with its obligations in respect of the whole school community so that all stakeholders have a high-quality experience, individual needs are met and there is equality of opportunity. The Committee have had regular opportunities to monitor the impact of their key documentation. The outcomes of all pupil groups, and survey results serves to provide evidence of effectively actioning this area of responsibility.