Ashford, St Mary's Church of England Primary School

Overview

This ungraded inspection confirms that the school has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection,” where it was previously judged good. Pupils “thrive at this wonderfully warm and welcoming school,” benefiting from a “broad and ambitious curriculum” and strong relationships with staff. The report highlights a positive culture where children feel “happy and safe” and are well-prepared for life in modern Britain.

Strengths

• The school fosters a “wonderfully warm and welcoming” environment where pupils embody values such as “respect, forgiveness and compassion.”
• There is a “robust approach to pupils’ reading development,” with “rigorous and effective training” ensuring staff teach reading well and provide “highly effective support” for those falling behind.
• Teachers possess “strong subject knowledge and expertise,” delivering a “rich and varied curriculum” that promotes curiosity through engaging experiences like Stone Age workshops.
• Attendance is managed successfully through a “proactive approach,” resulting in pupils attending “very well.”
• Staff well-being is prioritised, with one staff member noting, “I feel well supported and cared for at St Mary’s.”

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure pupils are supported to “remember and recall their learning consistently” to build knowledge effectively over time.
• Staff should “check pupils’ learning systematically” and respond swiftly to gaps or misconceptions to prevent learning gaps.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”