St Mary's CofE Primary School

Overview

The report describes a school where “warm and friendly relationships underpin this caring learning community,” resulting in pupils who are “happy” and feel safe. Leaders maintain “high expectations” for behaviour and achievement, creating an environment where pupils are “polite and respect each other.” The school is judged as ‘Good’ overall, with ‘Outstanding’ ratings for behaviour and personal development.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “exemplary” behaviour, showing “great consideration and politeness” and following the school’s “golden choices” diligently.
• Leaders have developed a “broad and ambitious curriculum” where, in most subjects, content is ordered carefully so pupils can “build on previous learning.”
• Reading is prioritised effectively; pupils enjoy book areas and reading buddies, with most achieving “comprehension, fluency and accuracy” by the end of key stage 2.
• Staff support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively, enabling them to “successfully follow the same curriculum as their peers.”
• Pupils benefit from an “exemplary range of opportunities” for personal development, including charity fundraising and links with international schools, preparing them well for “life in modern Britain.”

Areas to improve

• In a few subjects, leaders have not clearly identified the “most important concepts and specific key knowledge,” preventing pupils from acquiring skills in sufficient depth. Leaders should “refine their curricular thinking” so teachers are clear on what pupils need to remember to build on prior knowledge.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training to identify risks and following clear procedures to report concerns swiftly.