Saint Mary’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school Leaders at Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School have created a culture where everyone feels safe, valued and loved. Pupils flourish academically and socially in a caring environment.

Staff and governors share the headteacher's drive and ambition for all pupils. High expectations have led to excellent improvements in outcomes, and pupils reach very high standards. Leaders ensure that they meet the needs of all pupils.

Consequently, disadvantaged pupils and pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities make substantial and sustained progress. Leaders have developed a curriculum that provides rich experiences an...d opportunities to deepen pupils' knowledge, skills and understanding across a range of subjects. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the care and support provided by dedicated staff.

They value the opportunities that staff give their children through an excellent range of wider curriculum activities. Pupils are extremely proud of their school. Many of the pupils spoken with said that their teachers really care about them and that they make learning fun.

Teachers strong subject knowledge allows them to use questioning effectively. This contributes to the excellent progress that pupils make. Teachers immerse pupils in carefully planned activities that promote deep learning.

High-quality teaching ensures that pupils in all year groups make exceptionally strong progress. Where progress has been slower, for a small proportion of pupils in mathematics, there is now evidence of rapid improvement. Pupils are extremely polite and they have impeccable manners.

Their exemplary behaviour and attitudes to learning contribute to the high standards that they achieve. The provision in the early years is good and improving. The very youngest children settle quickly in an environment that nurtures, excites and stimulates them as learners.

Leaders are determined to continue to improve the curriculum for children in the early years. However, leaders need more time to embed the improvements in all areas of children's learning, to ensure that a higher proportion achieve at the highest standard.

Information about this school

The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish on their website, including the governance and management structure of the multi-academy trust.

Since the last inspection of your predecessor school, the school has joined The Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Academy Trust. The school is smaller-than-the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is lower than the national average.

The majority of pupils are of White British heritage and speak English as their home language. The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is lower than the national average. However, the proportion of pupils who are supported by an education, health and care plan is above the national average.

In September 2017, the Nursery joined the academy trust under the management of the school. It includes provision for two-year olds. The school meets the government's current floor standards.

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