St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, Thornbury

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The appointment of a new headteacher and a change in the leadership of the governing body, that both occurred in September 2012, have transformed the school.

It is now both ambitious and performing at a high level. Children make an excellent start in the Early Years Foundation Stage; they quickly develop important numeracy and literacy skills. They also learn to concentrate on their tasks and develop positive relationships with one another and adults.

Pupils' attainment has improved since the previous inspection so that it is consistently well above average in both English and mathematics at all ages, including at the end of Key S...tage 2. The strong support and challenge offered to all groups, including disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, ensure that the achievement of all pupils is outstanding. Pupils are calm, courteous and keen to learn.

Behaviour is excellent and bullying almost unknown. Pupils have a firm grasp of how to stay safe at school and in their everyday lives. Outstanding teaching ensures that rapid progress in lessons is the norm.

Teachers plan carefully and set very high expectations. They show great expertise, question pupils perceptively and promote a positive atmosphere for learning. They make excellent use of marking and target setting and this helps pupils know what to do to improve.

School leaders rigorously check on teaching by visiting lessons and analysing assessment data. This enables them to challenge less effective performance and promote the best possible practice, driving teachers' and pupils' performance forward rapidly. The governing body is innovative in its comprehensive checks on the school.

Working with school leaders, it has developed ambitious plans for the future that are having a major impact by further improving the school.

Information about this school

This is a smaller-than-average-sized primary school. The present headteacher took up his post in September 2012.

Only a very small number of pupils are supported through the pupil premium (additional funding for looked after children, pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those from service families). Less than one tenth of pupils are from minority ethnic groups, this is below the national average. Almost all pupils speak English as their first language.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average. The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is average. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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