St Mark’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is an outstanding school.

It has improved from satisfactory in its last inspection because of the expertise and commitment of senior leaders and the drive and determination of governors to provide the best possible education for pupils. Consequently, all pupils enjoy school and make excellent progress. Achievement is outstanding throughout the school.

Children have an excellent start in Reception because of the well-managed provision and outstanding teaching. The challenging targets set for all pupils in each year ensure that standards are high by the end of Year 6 in English and in mathematics. Teaching is outstanding.

Teachers constantly strive to provide inspiring learning exp...eriences and magical moments in lessons to fully engage pupils and foster an enjoyment of learning. Lesson planning is firmly based on regular and detailed assessments of pupils' prior learning. Marking is thorough but pupils often do not respond to teachers' comments about how they can improve their work.

Pupils of all abilities are ably supported in lessons by the conscientious and caring teaching assistants. Behaviour and safety are outstanding. Attendance levels are high, reflecting pupils' enjoyment of school.

Their responsibilities as class ambassadors or learning leaders encourage extremely positive attitudes and a pride in belonging to St Mark's school. Excellent behaviour in lessons ensures that there is invariably a calm, purposeful atmosphere for learning. Pupils are kept safe and all are well cared for by staff before school in the breakfast club and throughout the day.

Leadership and management are outstanding. Staff and governors work as a cohesive team to bring about improvement. The management of performance is constantly under review with all leaders and governors checking frequently and effectively on standards and the quality of teaching.

This ensures that the school has an excellent capacity to go on improving.

Information about the school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Children join the Reception class from 12 different nursery settings.

Pupils travel to school from a diverse and wide catchment area. Two thirds are from minority ethnic backgrounds, the main group being of Indian origin. Most speak English as an additional language and nearly all of those from Eastern European countries are at the very early stages of learning English.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is broadly average. The proportion who are supported at 'school action plus' or have a statement of special educational needs is also broadly average. The number known to be eligible for free school meals is above average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. There was significant mobility of pupils in 2010 and 2011 but this has reduced now the school is nearing its capacity in most classes. The headteacher and deputy headteacher are supporting a nearby Catholic primary school in an executive capacity.

The school has National Healthy School Status and the International School Award. The breakfast club each morning is from 7.30 until school begins.

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