Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have relentlessly and successfully tackled the weaknesses seen at the previous inspection. As a result, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is now good. Governance is a strength of the school.

Governors provide good challenge to the leadership team and hold them closely to account for improvements. Leaders are ambitious for the school and drive improvements forward with enthusiasm. Their accurate evaluations successfully identify next steps.

The improvements made by the school are reflected in better outcomes for pupils. When they leave, pupils are equipped with the skills they need for the next steps in their educati...on. Teachers and teaching assistants have high expectations and insist on good-quality work in books.

Pupils are rightly very proud of their neat, well-developed work. The curriculum is rich and varied. Some subject leaders are new.

They are in the early stages of contributing to improvements in their subjects. The new approaches to teaching reading motivate pupils to read widely. Pupils use their increasing vocabulary well in their writing.

Some aspects of phonics teaching are not yet good enough. The teaching of mathematics is effective. On occasion, there is not enough challenge in mathematics lessons for the most able pupils to use their skills to solve more difficult problems.

Despite good leadership, not all pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good enough progress. Staff provide a nurturing and inviting learning environment for children in Reception. As a result, children develop strong, positive attitudes to learning and most are prepared well for learning in Year 1.

Pupils behave well in school. They feel secure and happy because of the strong and respectful relationships. Staff encourage pupils to be independent and to have positive attitudes to learning.

This prepares pupils well for their futures.

Information about this school

The school works with partner schools in the Blandford Education Trust (the trust) and with other schools as part of the Blandford schools' network. The trust works closely with the Diocese of Salisbury.

The trust, while being ultimately responsible for the quality of education in the school, delegates the responsibility for the oversight of standards to the governing body. The school is a Church of England school. A section 48 inspection took place in December 2017.

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