St Mark’s CofE Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. The school was found to be outstanding at its last inspection in 2010 and it remains so.

The quality of teaching and hence pupils' achievement have improved further over the last three years. All pupils make rapid progress, particularly in learning to read and write, and in their understanding of mathematics. They read widely and develop their own interests and knowledge.

They can apply mathematics to a wide range of problems, use information and communication technology (ICT) with confidence and are exceptionally good at collaborating with each other and working independently. Their attainment in national tests in English and ma...thematics at the end of Year 6 is well above average. Teaching is outstanding.

Teachers have very high expectations of their pupils and plan excellent lessons that fully meet the needs of the wide range of ages and abilities of the pupils in each class. Teaching assistants are used very well and make an important contribution to the success of the teaching. Pupils behave exceptionally well both in and out of lessons.

They listen to each other's contributions in class and treat both adults and other pupils with respect. There is little bullying, and rare occurrences are dealt with very well by adults. Pupils have a very good understanding of the dangers of bullying, especially cyber-bullying, and of how it may occur.

They have a high level of understanding and tolerance of those of different faiths and cultural backgrounds. The school is exceptionally well led by the headteacher and governing body. The performance of staff is monitored and managed effectively, and morale is very high.

Resources such as the pupil premium are used very well for their intended purpose, and the impact is monitored carefully, as is the progress of all pupils. The governing body has an exceptionally good understanding of the school and of its role in bringing about further improvement, such as by taking on the management of the pre-school which was at risk of closure.

Information about this school

This primary school is of much smaller than average size and serves a rural part of North Cornwall.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported by school action is average, while the proportion who are supported by school action plus is below average. These pupils have a range of needs, mainly moderate learning difficulties. There are currently no pupils with statements of special educational needs.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium is average. The pupil premium provides additional funding for children in local authority care, pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and children of families in the armed services. No pupils who currently qualify for this funding have subsequently left the school.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. In 2012, the governing body changed the status of the school from voluntary controlled to voluntary aided. This change was made mainly to allow greater flexibility of decision-making over matters such as the dates of school terms.

The school has recently become an associate member of the Bude Community's Schools' Trust, which promotes and enables collaboration between local schools. In 2012, the governing body assumed management responsibility for the pre-school located on the school site. The pre-school was not inspected on this occasion.