St Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy, Wolverhampton

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school.

Concerted efforts to secure stable staffing are proving to be successful in providing a good standard of education. The school is not outstanding because, although progress is good, relatively, it is not as strong in Years 1 and 2 in writing. In addition, pupils' learning and progress in mathematics in Key Stage 2 lag behind their good and sometimes outstanding achievement in English.

Achievement is good and has been sustained over time due to the leadership's effective focus on improving teaching through robust performance management. As a result, all groups make at least expected progress and most make good progress. Current Year 6 pupils are on track to achieve above-...average levels in English and at least average levels in mathematics.

The quality of teaching over time is good. Most teachers have good subject knowledge, know their pupils well, and use questioning effectively to advance learning well. In Years 1 and 2, teachers do not always adjust the challenge and range of writing activities to match pupils' day-to-day learning needs.

In addition, some do not have sufficient proficiency in developing writing across different subjects. In Key Stage 2, teachers do not consistently challenge pupils in mathematics so that they develop greater independence in applying their skills through open-ended investigations in a range of contexts. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are good.

Pupils understand clearly how to keep themselves safe. The school has taken stringent steps to increase attendance, which is now average and improving. The headteacher has established an effective culture of self-improvement, so that raising outcomes for pupils is a successful and collective enterprise.

Sustained improvements in teaching have been secured by the leadership's effective procedures to hold teachers to account for their pupils' progress.

Information about the school

St Mary's is larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above average.

The largest group of pupils (42%) is of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils for whom English is an additional language is above average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with statements of special educational needs is above average; predominantly, these pupils have moderate or specific learning difficulties. The school meets the current floor standards for attainment and progress. These are the minimum standards expected by the government.

The school provides a breakfast club and separate after school provision that operate during term time. These are both managed by the governing body. The school has experienced significant turbulence in staffing, particularly at senior leadership level, in recent times.

The current headteacher was appointed in April 2012, after a period as acting headteacher. Prior to that, he was the deputy headteacher at the school. Other senior and middle leaders have also been appointed internally.