St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Overview

The report describes a school where “pupils arrive with enthusiasm and leave with special memories,” noting that staff and pupils “invest in being the best they can be.” Leaders maintain “high expectations for learning, behaviour and how pupils treat each other,” resulting in an environment where pupils “feel safe, are polite and eager to do well.” The inspection highlights an inclusive culture that “values differences and celebrates success,” with pupils achieving well across a broad range of subjects.

Strengths

• Leaders have developed an “ambitious curriculum” that is “logically sequenced,” helping pupils “build on what they already know” and recall prior learning with ease.
• Teaching reading is a “top priority,” with staff swiftly identifying struggling pupils and providing support, often “on the same day,” to develop “reading fluency and confidence.”
• The school is highly inclusive, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can “learn alongside their peers” through effective support and collaboration with external experts.
• Pupils demonstrate strong personal development, “value diversity,” and engage with “fundamental British values” through a curriculum that includes learning about different cultures and religions.
• Governors “challenge and support leaders effectively,” while senior leaders are “considerate of workload and well-being” for staff.

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders must ensure subject leaders are supported to “review and assess the quality of the curriculum,” as opportunities for them to evaluate implementation are currently limited.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that leaders ensure all staff have necessary background checks and that the curriculum enhances pupils’ understanding of risk.