St Mary’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a school that requires improvement Leaders and governors have been too slow to remedy weaknesses identified at the previous inspection. Leaders' plans lack precision and are not focused on the impact that actions are intended to have on pupils' outcomes.

Governors' checks on some recording systems, including safeguarding, fall short of best practice. Leaders have not monitored carefully enough the provision for disadvantaged pupils. Leaders have not sustained the previously good quality of teaching.

Teachers do not consistently have high enough expectations of what pupils can achieve. Some middle leaders are new to post. All have new roles and responsi...bilities.

They do not have a full understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in their subject areas. Too few pupils make the progress they should to reach the higher standards by the end of Year 6, compared to nationally. In some year groups and subjects, teachers do not plan activities that are suitably matched for pupils who struggle with their learning.

Reading materials are sometimes not matched to pupils' phonics knowledge in key stage 1. Too few pupils leave key stage 1 reading at the expected standard. Teaching in the Nursery does not extend children's learning and thinking effectively.

Too many pupils are persistently absent from school and fall behind in their learning. The school has the following strengths Pupils are confident, courteous and have good attitudes to learning. The range of activities offered captures their interest.

Leaders work to ensure that teachers understand what pupils should know, do and understand in their year groups. Teachers' assessments are accurate. The teaching of phonics in the early years prepares children well for Year 1.

The staff are very caring. As a result, pupils are very happy at the school and feel safe. Parents value this aspect of the school's work highly.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. It has provision for two-year-olds as part of the Nursery. The school comprises of a Nursery and seven single year group classes.

The school was inspected in July 2018. This inspection outlined some key areas for leaders to address. It did not change the school's overall effectiveness grade.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for pupil premium funding is larger than the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average.