St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The headteacher and the senior leadership team are the driving force behind the school's continuing above-average standards and good progress.

They have made sure that personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is at the heart of the school's work. Attainment in reading, writing and mathematics has been above average for the last three years and progress shows an upward trend. Since the previous inspection, leaders and governors have made sure there is no inadequate teaching.

This has led to improvements in the teaching of reading and mathematics, and considerable improvement in pupils' writing. Children get off to an ex...cellent start because : of the outstanding leadership of the Early Years Foundation Stage manager. Phonics (the sounds that letters make) is taught well in Reception and Key Stage 1 so that children make good progress in reading from an early age.

Pupils behave well. There have been very few incidents of unacceptable behaviour, such as bullying. Pupils are cared for well and as a result they feel exceptionally happy and safe at school.

Attendance in almost all classes is consistently high. Support staff who work one-to-one or in small groups with vulnerable pupils, including those with disabilities or special educational needs, are making a strong contribution to their successful learning. The school encourages parents and carers to help their children at home, and this contributes to pupils' good achievement.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teachers do not always encourage pupils to participate actively in lessons by answering questions or explaining their knowledge and understanding. Teachers' marking in pupils' books does not regularly show the next steps pupils need to take to improve their work. A few pupils eligible for the pupil premium who also have other additional needs are not making good progress in writing.

Information about this school

This is larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported through pupil premium funding (additional government funding for certain groups, such as pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals or looked after by the local authority) is below the national average but a significant percentage of them are supported at school action plus and joined the school later than the Early Years Foundation Stage. Over a third of pupils come from ethnic minority backgrounds, especially Other White and mixed heritage backgrounds, and a few are Black Africans.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported through school action is in line with the national average; the proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is broadly average. The school works as part of an Umbrella Trust in partnership with seven Catholic primary schools within its local government area. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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