St Mary's School and 6th Form College

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are “exceptionally kind and welcoming” and feel safe due to “thoughtful support” from dedicated staff. Leaders have driven “extensive improvements” since the previous inspection, creating a curriculum that meets pupils’ complex needs and fostering strong relationships. The school is judged to no longer require significant improvement, with high expectations for every pupil’s success.

Strengths

• Pupils display “excellent manners” and are respectful, with staff taking immediate action to support those struggling with emotions.
• The curriculum is “thoughtfully constructed” and adapted for complex needs, with subjects like English and mathematics carefully ordered to build knowledge.
• Staff possess a “depth of knowledge” about each pupil, supported by regular training and partnership working with a local trust.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff having “in-depth safeguarding knowledge” and making swift referrals when needed.
• Personal development opportunities are wide-ranging, including individualised careers guidance for sixth-form students.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum is not yet “securely and consistently embedded across all subjects,” meaning pupils are not always confident in using identified knowledge and skills.
• Assessment processes are still being refined, leaving teachers “less confident in accurately checking how pupils’ understanding is developing.”

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff following specific processes to identify risks and ensuring pupils receive appropriate help.