St Mark's CofE Junior School, Salisbury

Overview

This ungraded inspection confirms that St Mark’s C of E Junior School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school is described as an inclusive environment where pupils are “happy and safe,” with a strong emphasis on high expectations and personal development. While the overall provision remains strong, the report highlights specific areas regarding attendance and curriculum implementation that require further attention to ensure consistent progress for all pupils.

Strengths

• The school fosters a culture where “inclusivity shines through,” and pupils feel confident sharing concerns, knowing staff will “listen and act promptly.”
• Pupils demonstrate “positive behaviours” and are “keen to learn,” benefiting from a “calm and purposeful environment” and rich opportunities in activities like orienteering and the performing arts.
• There is a “strong focus on reading,” ensuring that pupils who fall behind “catch up quickly,” while those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported to access the same curriculum as their peers.
• Personal development is “well thought out,” with pupils developing confidence through leadership roles and learning to become “thoughtful young people and caring citizens.”

Areas to improve

• The trust must ensure the attendance strategy is effective, as “too many pupils do not attend school regularly,” leading to gaps in knowledge.
• Refinements to the curriculum in foundation subjects are “not yet securely in place,” resulting in some pupils having gaps in subject-specific knowledge.

Safeguarding

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