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 Leaders and governors have significantly improved the quality of education since the last inspection. There has been an effective review of governance, resulting in several changes. Governors now provide the right balance of support and challenge.

They hold leaders appropriately to account for the school's performance. They know its strengths and areas for further development. Leaders, supported by the academy trust, have improved the overall quality of teaching.

They accurately evaluate the quality of teaching and provide effective feedback. They are committed to the professional development of staff. Pupils' progress and standards of at...tainment have risen significantly since the last inspection.

Pupils' attainment at the end of key stages 1 and 2 have risen to above national averages. They make good progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and the most able. The quality of teaching is good.

Teachers carefully and systematically build pupils' understanding of new concepts. They know their pupils well and provide engaging activities that enthuse and motivate. However, teaching is more effective in key stage 2 than in key stage 1.

The personal development and welfare of pupils is outstanding. Pupils leave St Mary's as confident, articulate people who are ready to play their part in the wider community. Pupils are well behaved and develop mature, responsible attitudes towards learning.

Instances of disruptive behaviour are few. Pupils develop good learning habits and sound knowledge. The quality of provision in the early years has improved since the last inspection.

Children learn well and make good progress. They are well taught, and the provision is well led. Although, overall, outcomes now exceed national averages, not enough children are assessed as exceeding the expected levels of development.

St Mary's provides a caring and nurturing environment in which pupils can develop a wide range of skills. The school is driven by a clear set of values that are woven into the curriculum. Parents speak highly of the school.

The sense of community is prized, and they value the improvements that have been made. A few have expressed the view that the flow of information could be further improved.

Information about this school

St Mary's is an academy school in the Good Shepherd Trust, within the Diocese of Guildford.

It was last inspected, under section 48 of the Education Act 2005, in March 2016. St Mary's is part of the Good Shepherd Trust, a MAT within the Guildford Diocese. Its local governing body reports to the trust board, and the headteacher reports to the chief executive officer.

The MAT oversees and supports all aspects of the school's work. The headteachers in the MAT work closely together to draw on each other's expertise and experience. The MAT schools also support each other in providing staff training and development.

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