St Martin’s School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils achieve well. Attainment at the end of Key Stage 1 has risen to above the national average and is particularly strong in reading and writing. Attainment at Key Stage 2 is also significantly above average in reading.

A recent dip in mathematics scores at the end of Key Stage 2 has been addressed. As a result, achievement in this subject has improved and is now good. Teaching is good because the vast majority of activities are carefully planned to meet pupils' needs and help them to make good progress.

Leaders, manager and governors have ensured that teaching and achievement have improved. Governors are well informed and un...derstand how well the school is doing. The headteacher and her leadership team know what needs to be done to further improve the school.

They have set clear expectations for good teaching, and support their staff to improve their practice. Staff and governors share this vision and ambition. Pupils speak very positively about their school.

They feel safe, behave well and treat adults and each other with kindness and courtesy. Provision in the school for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is very strong. It is not yet an outstanding school because: Teaching is not yet outstanding because : pupils are not always asked questions that help them to develop their understanding and support rapid progress to the higher attainment levels.

Pupils in Key Stage 2 have too few opportunities to practise writing about topics in depth and detail in subjects such as science and humanities. Marking of pupils' work varies between subjects and pupils do not always follow their teachers' advice for improving their own attainment. The wider leadership team is not yet sufficiently well trained to support the headteacher, deputy headteacher and leader of learning in checking on and improving the quality of teaching.

Information about this school

The school is a smaller than average-sized primary school. The Early Years Foundation Stage currently consists of one Reception class and there are plans to add an additional class in the next academic year. The proportion of pupils eligible for support from the pupil premium (extra money provided by the government for pupils who are eligible for free school meals, children in public care and those from service families) is below the national average.

The overwhelming majority of pupils are of White British heritage with a small proportion of pupils with Mixed Asian and other mixed heritage backgrounds. The proportion of pupils who are learning English as an additional language is well below the national average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported at school action is above the national average.

The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The school meets the current floor standards, which are the minimum standards for pupils' attainment and progress expected by the government. The school has experienced some changes of senior staff, including of those responsible for particular areas of the school's work, since the previous inspection.