St Mary & St Thomas CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school Staff share leaders' enthusiasm, ambition and unwavering commitment to pupils and their families. Pupils thrive in a culture where the school motto of 'Achieve, Believe and Shine' weaves through every aspect of the school. Governors share leaders' high expectations and aspirations for pupils.

They are extremely knowledgeable and use their skills effectively to hold leaders to account. Leaders' evaluation of the school is honest and accurate. They acted swiftly to tackle the reasons behind the dip in outcomes at the end of key stage 2 in 2018.

As a result, pupils in all year groups make exceptionally strong progress, especially dis...advantaged pupils. Extremely knowledgeable middle leaders have designed a balanced curriculum that ignites the interests of pupils and deepens their knowledge, skills and understanding in a range of curriculum subjects. High-quality teaching is underpinned by teachers' strong subject knowledge.

This contributes to pupils' exceptionally positive attitudes to learning across the school. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported extremely well by highly-skilled staff. As a result, pupils make good progress from their individual starting points.

The imaginative opportunities leaders provide to promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are extremely effective. By raising aspirations and broadening horizons, pupils are prepared well for life in modern Britain. Children in the early years benefit from high-quality teaching in an environment that excites and stimulates them as learners and meets their needs very effectively.

Consequently, they make rapid progress from low starting points. An increasing proportion of children are prepared well for Year 1. Pupils in key stage 1 use their phonic knowledge extremely well.

They are becoming confident, competent readers as a result of the language-rich environment leaders have created. In mathematics, in all year groups, pupils solve increasingly complex problems and challenges. However, only a small proportion of pupils do really well in writing.

Pupils' behaviour and conduct are exemplary. Pupils flourish in an environment where they feel valued and their social and emotional needs are met extremely well. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school and the care their children receive.

Information about this school

This school is slightly larger than the average primary school. Pupils are predominantly of White British heritage. There is a small proportion for whom English is not their first language.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is well above the national average. The proportion of pupils supported by an EHC plan is well above the national average.

The school is a UNICEF Respecting the Rights of the Child school and holds a nationally recognised gold school mental health award. The school is a national hub for mathematics and the lead school for the St Helens Teaching Schools Alliance. The school became an academy in August 2015 and is part of the Three Saints MAT.