St Mary's Primary School

Overview

This Sustaining Improvement Inspection was conducted in May 2017, following a previous evaluation where the school was deemed “outstanding”. However, because teaching staff participated in industrial action and refused to cooperate with inspectors, the ETI was “unable to evaluate” the quality of learning, teaching, or the school’s capacity for improvement. Consequently, the inspectorate could not assure stakeholders of the current quality of education provided.

Strengths

• The report notes that the school was previously evaluated as “outstanding” in September 2013.
• Evidence provided indicated that safeguarding arrangements were “satisfactory” and reflected relevant departmental guidance.
• Year 6 pupils reported that they are “happy in school” and know what to do if they have concerns about their well-being.

Areas to improve

• The report states the school is a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice” due to the inability to assess current standards.
• The inspection could not evaluate the school’s capacity to effect improvement through self-evaluation or effective school development planning.
• The quality of learning and teaching within classrooms could not be assessed.

Safeguarding

The report states that while provided evidence showed “satisfactory arrangements” and pupils felt secure, the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding” due to the industrial action.