St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy

Overview

The report describes a school where leaders share a "clear, ambitious vision" and have skilfully managed significant staff turnover to maintain high expectations. Pupils are "happy and motivated to learn," with disadvantaged pupils often outperforming national peers. While safeguarding standards are met and achievement is strong, the report notes that attendance rates are only broadly in line with the national average and some teaching practices require refinement.

Strengths

• Pupils "quickly secure the basic knowledge" in reading, writing, and mathematics, accessing learning "confidently and successfully."
• Children in the early years get an "extremely positive start," with staff effectively supporting speech, vocabulary, and phonics development.
• Leaders and governors provide "robust challenge and support," ensuring staff feel "well supported and valued."
• The curriculum is "well-sequenced," allowing pupils to make "secure progress" and articulate learning with enthusiasm.
• Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs are supported well, making "secure progress from their starting points."

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure all pupils attend school regularly, as "some pupils continue to miss too many days of school."
• Leaders should develop consistency in teaching approaches, specifically ensuring staff "consistently check pupils' understanding, through questioning."

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.