St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Ipswich

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is an outstanding school. Senior leaders, the governing body, parents, carers and pupils share a highly ambitious vision for the school.

Its aim for pupils to 'be confident, competent learners, with a pride in themselves and their achievements' is met extremely well. Attainment is exceptionally high in reading, writing, mathematics, music and art by the time pupils leave the school. In 2011, one fifth of the pupils in Year 6 reached levels of attainment in reading normally only found in secondary schools.

Attainment at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage and Year 2 is well above the national average. One parent said, 'This is an excellent school that achieves high standards, but p...rovides children with lively curriculum experiences and a real sense of community.' Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities or who speak English as an additional language, make outstanding progress as their programme of work is often personalised.

A wide range of skills and knowledge, including information and communication technology skills, are developed rapidly. Highly successful, challenging activities enthuse and motivate pupils to work hard, cooperate effectively, reflect on differing views and achieve as well as they possibly can. Incisive questioning and challenging discussion in Years 3 to 6 enable pupils to develop their thoughts and extend the vocabulary they wish to use in order to write convincingly.

Staff in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Years 1 and 2 offer many activities that excite pupils' curiosity and encourage lively conversation. They have undergone training to promote pupils' language development. That said, not all staff engage pupils sufficiently in discussions and ask questions that accelerate their language development.

The strong promotion of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development results in exemplary behaviour that enables pupils to be safe, and learn and thrive in an atmosphere of respect and dignity.

Information about the school

This school is similar in size to the majority of primary schools. Pupils come from diverse backgrounds, but mostly White British, Irish, any other White and any other mixed backgrounds.

The percentage of pupils who come from minority ethnic groups and who speak English as an additional language is above that normally found. The proportion known to be eligible for free schools meals is very low compared to other schools nationally. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is below that found in most schools, although an above average number of them have a statement of special educational needs.

These mainly relate to physical and behavioural difficulties. The Early Years Foundation Stage consists of a 13 place part-time Nursery and one Reception class. The proportion of pupils who start and leave the school at other than the usual times is much lower than average.

. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. It holds the Platinum 'Sing Up' Award.