St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Bodmin

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Since their arrival, the headteacher and deputy headteacher have made important changes to ensure that teaching, learning and assessment are good. They have also guaranteed that St Mary's is a caring community that pupils describe as a 'family'.

Teachers plan lessons that are interesting. Pupils are engaged. They develop appropriate skills in English and mathematics.

Children get off to a good start in the Nursery and Reception classes so that they are ready for Year 1. Most pupils achieve well in reading, writing and mathematics, in relation to their starting points. Many make strong progress.

Pupils behave well in lessons and p...lay times. They are polite and considerate. The curriculum is broad and balanced.

It is enhanced by trips, residentials and special events. At times, pupils are not challenged enough, particularly to deepen their learning or make connections between subjects. The school gives a high priority to caring for its pupils and families.

Safeguarding is a high priority and is effective. Leaders share a passion for the school and are ambitious for the achievement of its pupils. New governance arrangements have strengthened the support and challenge to the school.

The role of middle leaders is underdeveloped. They are currently not ensuring the quality of teaching, learning and progress enough.

Information about this school

The school is of average size for a primary school.

The proportion of pupils who are eligible for pupil premium is similar to the national average. There is a smaller proportion of pupils than average with SEND. St Mary's is a member of Plymouth CAST multi-academy trust.

The school is monitored by the trust's education standards manager. In addition, a local governing body supports and challenges the school. The headteacher joined the school in September 2017, initially on a secondment.