St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Levels of attainment and rates of progress are rising rapidly from Nursery to Year 6, particularly in writing, where pupils strive to produce a 'Paragraph of Perfection'.

Most teaching across the school is outstanding and never less than consistently good. Tasks are fun and exciting and based on real life situations, engaging pupils' interest and making them want to learn more. The curriculum enables pupils to develop their basic skills through a series of exciting topics.

This has been a key feature in ensuring the rising pattern of achievement. Behaviour in lessons is exemplary. Older pupils enjoy supporting younger ones around... the school.

Pupils say that they feel very safe because they are well known and cared for by all adults. The school is rigorous in ensuring that all pupils, especially those facing challenging circumstances, are safe and able to thrive. The headteacher, closely supported by her deputy, the governors and wider team, has been relentless in driving improvements in every area of the school's work.

Their attention to detail and high expectations of both pupils and staff have led to exceptional advances since the previous inspection. They show an outstanding capacity to sustain these improvements.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average, with the largest group having speech, language and communication needs. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is high with the largest groups being of Indian or Other Asian heritage.

An above average proportion of pupils speak English as an additional language with some, newly arrived, at an early stage of learning English. An above average proportion of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for looked after pupils and those known to be eligible for free school meals). The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.

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