Chadwell St Mary Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Pupils, parents and staff recognise the improvements made by the school's leaders. Typically, parents say they are pleased their children are learning well. Leaders, including trustees, have raised their expectations of staff.

Systems for improving teaching are thorough. Leaders check regularly that their strategies to improve teaching and learning are working. As a result, pupils achieve well.

The executive headteacher has created an effective leadership team. Leaders have secured the trust and confidence of the staff who are provided with effective training to develop their professional skills. Teachers plan learning experiences across ...a variety of subjects that pupils find interesting.

This helps to deepen pupils' knowledge and understanding. The school's values of self-responsibility, safety, perseverance and equality underpin its work. This contributes well to pupils' good behaviour and positive attitudes to learning.

Safeguarding arrangements are secure. Pupils say they feel safe. Parents agree their children are well looked after.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress. Staff provide good support for pupils and plan activities that help to fill gaps in their knowledge and skills. Children in the early years get off to a good start in Reception Year.

They make good progress in all areas of learning. Teachers do not consistently provide enough challenge for the most able pupils. This means these pupils are not given sufficient opportunity to deepen their understanding.

Recent improvements to the teaching of mathematics have helped pupils to become more fluent in their basic calculation skills. Leaders have rightly identified that opportunities to develop pupils' mathematical reasoning skills are not as effective as they could be in every year group. While leaders keep a close eye on how well pupils are learning in core subjects such as English and mathematics, their assessments in other subjects are not as rigorous.

Information about this school

Chadwell St Mary Primary School became a member of the South West Essex Community Education Trust on the 1 September 2016. When its predecessor school, Chadwell St Mary Primary School, was last inspected by Ofsted it was judged as good overall. Trustees are responsible for holding the school's leadership team to account.

The executive headteacher took up her post in September 2017. A head of school was appointed in January 2019 who has the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the school. The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

It consists of seven classes, one in each year group. The proportion of pupils with SEND and who have an education, health and care plan is similar to the national average. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and pupil premium funding is well above the national average.

The majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The school makes use of alternative provision at Deneholm Primary School. A breakfast club, managed by the trustees, operates on the school site.

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