St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Axminster

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The new headteacher has worked tirelessly to improve the school. Her actions have created a learning environment in which pupils thrive.

Pupils now make good progress from their different starting points in reading, writing and mathematics. Leaders are forensic in their use of additional funding. As a result, disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well from their different starting points.

Pupils behave well. They are polite and respectful. Pupils are motivated and enthusiastic about their learning.

Leaders promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural understandi...ng well. As a result, pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain. Leaders have successfully improved pupils' attendance.

Pupils now attend school regularly. Children in the early years make good progress in all areas for learning. They are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

This is because the quality of teaching is good. Leaders and governors have established a culture where safeguarding is the fulcrum of the school's work. Staff are vigilant and know how to spot signs of abuse.

The use of the physical education (PE) and sport premium enables pupils from all abilities to enjoy sport. A very large majority of pupils take part in extra-curricular sport. Equality of opportunity is a strength of the school.

Leaders have not fully established a systematic approach to teaching mathematics. As a result, pupils do not reach their full potential. Pupils in key stage 2 enjoy a rich and varied curriculum.

They have secure knowledge and understanding of languages, humanities, the arts and science. This prepares pupils well for the next stage of their education. However, the curriculum in key stage 1 is not as varied and requires further refinement.

New local governors are committed to school improvement. However, they have not yet fully developed the skills and systems needed to provide effective challenge to school leaders. In mathematics, pupils are sometimes given work that is not well matched to their abilities and does not provide them with sufficient challenge.

Too few pupils have achieved at a greater depth in mathematics.

Information about this school

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is smaller than the average-sized primary school and is part of the Plymouth CAST. The trust was formed in April 2014.

The work of the trust is overseen by a board of directors. The trust is responsible for one nursery, one first school, 32 primary schools and two secondary schools across six local authorities in the south-west region. The majority of pupils are of White British background.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals is in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is below the national average.

The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan is above the national average. The school is designated as having a religious character and received its section 48 inspection in Feb 2016 when the school was graded as requires improvement. The headteacher has been in post since January 2018.

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