St Mary’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school School leaders and governors have brought about significant improvements to the school since the previous inspection.

Teaching is now good and pupils across the school achieve well. Pupils make good progress in reading and mathematics and reach standards that are broadly average by the end of Year 6. They make outstanding progress in writing.

Teachers are well supported and receive clear guidance from school leaders to improve their skills. Previously weak performance has been eradicated. The quality of work in pupils' books is good.

Work is neatly presented and reflects the pride that pupils take in their work. Pupils are happy ...and they enjoy school. They behave well and they feel safe owing to the high level of care provided by staff.

Pupils from all backgrounds get on well together. They respect each other and enjoy finding out about the faiths and beliefs of those from different cultures. The curriculum is carefully planned to take into account pupils' needs and interests.

The good links between writing and other subjects provide plenty of opportunities for pupils to practise their skills. Subject leaders, particularly those for English and mathematics, are knowledgeable and ambitious. They have benefited from training that has helped them to drive through necessary improvements to the way their subject is taught.

The governing body has responded positively to an external review of their work. They now provide effective challenge to school leaders and hold them fully to account It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils are not all provided with a high enough level of challenge and so do not progress as much as they should. Not all teachers reinforce younger pupils' phonics (letters and sounds) skills in all lessons.

There is no plan to show how the school is to develop over the longer term. The short-term plan has too many targets that lack focus.

Information about this school

The school is much larger than most primary schools.

Currently there are three classes in Years 1, 2, and 6 and there are two classes in Years 3, 4 and 5. Most pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds and about three quarters speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is above average.

This is additional funding provided by the government to support those pupils, who in this school, are entitled to free school meals or who are looked after by the local authority. The percentage of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is broadly average. There is provision for children in the early years in the Nursery and three Reception classes.

Children attend Nursery part-time and become full-time when they enter Reception. The school provides a breakfast club for pupils. The school meets the government's current floor standards.

These set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of Year 6. There have been significant changes to the teaching team and the governing body since the previous inspection. Governors and school leaders are overseeing a major building project to provide additional accommodation as the school expands to take an additional class in Years 3, 4 and 5.

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