St Mary’s CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

St.

Mary's CofE Primary is a good school. It has improved significantly since the last inspection and continues to do so under the strong leadership of the headteacher who provides a clear sense of purpose and direction. Through robust monitoring, she has ensured that teaching and learning have improved and clear priorities have been set for further improvement and, as a result, the quality of teaching across the school is good.

Pupils achieve well. Although the very small year groups mean that attainment can vary greatly from year to year, attainment in the latest national tests at Year 6 were above the national average in English and mathematics. However, the school recognises that tracking... shows that the proportion of pupils attaining the higher levels in mathematics across the school is currently below average.

Children get off to a satisfactory start in the Early Years Foundation Stage and make satisfactory progress. However, there are currently insufficient opportunities for children to freely explore their learning with purpose and challenge in the outdoor areas. Pupils' progress is tracked very carefully and regularly and their attainment assessed accurately.

Older pupils know what their targets for reading, writing and mathematics are and marking is up to date and gives pupils useful guidance on how well they have done and what they need to do next. The school enjoys the full-hearted support of parents and carers. They particularly like the positive family atmosphere.

One parent wrote: 'We are extremely pleased with the variety and rigour of the education our son is receiving at St. Mary's. The school is an inviting, supportive and happy place.'

They say their children enjoy coming to school and pupils agree enthusiastically. Pupils particularly enjoy the good range of after school extra-curricular activities provided. Pupils have a good understanding of how to keep safe and of the need for healthy lifestyles.

A strong moral code is implicit within the school's ethos. This is reflected in pupils' outstanding behaviour and, in turn, has a very positive effect on the good progress pupils make in lessons. Pupils have a wide range of responsibilities in the school and, through the work of the school council for example, make a good contribution to the school community.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Their good social skills and above average attainment equip them well for the future. The curriculum ensures that pupils receive a good variety of exciting activities and experiences through visits, residential stays and visitors to school.

The school provides good care and support, especially for pupils whose circumstances have made them vulnerable. Procedures to ensure the safeguarding of pupils are rigorous. The school has strong links with a wide range of partners which are very effective in promoting learning.

The school has very good links with its local community but realises it could do more to develop pupils' awareness of those whose backgrounds are different to their own. The school has a good understanding of how well it is doing and what needs to be done next. Due to this good self-evaluation, and its recent record of improvement, it has a good capacity for sustained improvement.

Information about the school

This is a very small school situated in a thinly populated rural area. Pupils come from a wide range of social backgrounds, mainly from the village and a few outlying farms and all are from a White British background. They are taught in two mixed-age classes: an Early Years Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 class and a Key Stage 2 class.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is much lower than national. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is above the national average and the proportion with statements of educational need is much higher than nationally. The school has achieved Healthy Schools status and is a designated Eco School.