St Mary’s Church of England Primary School St Neots

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, deputy headteacher and governors have successfully raised expectations of both teachers and pupils. As a result, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment has improved significantly. Most current pupils are making good progress, including those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Governors and trust representatives are effective, knowledgeable and committed to the school and its pupils. They have an accurate view of the school's strengths and areas for improvement. They support and challenge leaders to improve provision.

The curriculum and a wide va...riety of clubs and trips support pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well. The early years provision is good. It is well led.

Children make good progress from their starting points, which are typically lower than expected for their age. Some parents expressed concerns about the school, in particular regarding bullying and leadership. Inspectors found that leaders are effective, and most pupils are confident that teachers deal with bullying effectively.

Behaviour in lessons and around the school is usually good. However, there is a small minority of pupils whose behaviour does not meet the high standards expected. Overall, absence and persistent absence are reducing but remain above the national average.

This is also the case for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Pupils' progress at the end of key stage 2 improved in 2017 and was broadly average. However, the proportion of pupils attaining the standards expected for their age in the combination of reading, writing and mathematics was lower than did so nationally.

Current pupils make less progress in writing than in reading and mathematics. Teachers do not provide opportunities for pupils to routinely use and practise their writing skills in longer tasks, other than in English lessons.

Information about this school

St Mary's Church of England opened as an academy sponsored by DEMAT on 1 September 2015.

This followed the issue of an academy order after the predecessor school was judged to require special measures when inspected in March 2015. The current headteacher was appointed in January 2016 and the deputy headteacher was appointed in September 2016. DEMAT has overall responsibility for the school.

The trust provides support through school improvement, subject, and inclusion and safeguarding lead advisers. There is a local governing body that is responsible for duties delegated by the trust, which include holding leaders to account for the standard of education provided, the appointment of staff and setting the values and ethos of the school. The school is an average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds is well above average. There is a higher proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities with a statement or education, health and care plans than in most schools. The school has early years provision consisting of a Nursery and Reception class.

There are separate Year 1 and Year 2 classes and three mixed-year-group classes in key stage 2. The school met the government's floor standards in 2017. These set the minimum standards for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of key stage 2.