St Mary's Star of the Sea Primary School

Overview

St Mary’s Star of the Sea Primary School is described as having a vision that is “fully understood and embedded,” fostering an “inclusive and supportive culture.” The report highlights “very positive” relationships and a “highly inclusive ethos” that supports children’s wellbeing and learning. However, the school is advised to transition from short-term planning to more “coherent and strategic three-year improvement planning.”

Strengths

• The school demonstrates a “highly inclusive ethos” with “respectful, nurturing relationships” that give children a strong sense of belonging and emotional security.
• Staff have developed an “interconnected curriculum” rooted in real-life contexts, where children respond “enthusiastically” and show “sustained concentration.”
• Provision for children with special educational needs is “well planned and responsive,” enabling them to make “measurable gains” and feel “safe and valued.”
• The school has built a “strong, inclusive and outward‑facing community of learning” through purposeful partnerships and active pupil participation.
• Children feel “safe in school and online” and understand how to keep themselves safe, including recognising risks related to digital technology.

Areas to improve

• The school needs to move from “short-term interim school development planning” to “more coherent and strategic three-year improvement planning.”
• Opportunities for “extended writing and the application of mathematical processes” must be developed to enhance learning quality and outcomes.
• Split sessions for play-based learning in the foundation stage need to be “reviewed to maximise further opportunities” for teachers to extend learning.

Safeguarding

The report states that arrangements for child protection “align to the current statutory guidance” and that children feel safe and know who to talk to with concerns.