St Mary's Primary School

Overview

This unannounced inspection focused on evaluating the adequacy of safeguarding and pastoral care arrangements at St Mary’s Primary School. The report concludes that the school’s safeguarding arrangements “reflect the guidance from the Department of Education” and that children feel safe within the school environment.

Strengths

• The school maintains a comprehensive range of policies for pastoral care and safeguarding which “guide well the work of the school” and are subject to ongoing review.
• There has been “extensive consultation with the children, parents and staff” regarding the anti-bullying policy, alongside updated procedures for emergency contact and extreme weather.
• Children spoke positively about their experiences, highlighting their “enjoyment of learning” and the “support and care they receive from all the staff.”
• Classroom visits revealed “very positive” working relationships between staff and pupils, creating an “inclusive, supportive environment conducive to learning.”
• Pupils are described as “highly motivated” with a “positive disposition to learning,” and their views are actively sought to enable “meaningful contributions to the life and work of the school.”

Areas to improve

The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The report states that “appropriate arrangements are in place for the recording, retention, storage and sharing of information pertaining to child protection and safeguarding issues,” and confirms that children are aware of what to do if they have concerns about their safety or well-being.