St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Ulverston

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

St Mary's is a good school. Happy pupils enjoy learning and their achievement is good.

They feel exceptionally safe in school and procedures for keeping them safe are good. Pupils' contribution to the school and the wider community is outstanding, as seen in the pride and eagerness with which they take on responsibility, for example, as members of the school council and eco-committee. All groups of pupils make good progress in their learning and by the end of Year 6 attainment is above average.

Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities are given effective support and make good progress. Pupils show positive attitudes to learning and behaviour is good. Good teaching underpins pu...pils' good achievement.

It is based on excellent relationships and well-organised lessons that are lively and interesting. Teachers use assessment well to plan further learning. The effective and well-planned curriculum motivates pupils, and they particularly enjoy music and art.

Provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage is good, but limited space restricts opportunities for some areas of learning. Pupils enjoy sport and have a good knowledge of how to keep healthy. Good care, guidance and support contribute effectively to pupils' learning and personal development.

Pupils use their reading, writing and computing skills across the curriculum and this prepares them well for their future economic well-being. Pupils' enthusiasm for school is seen in their above average attendance. They respect the needs of others and are eager to learn about different cultures.

Their spiritual, moral social and cultural development is good. Capacity to improve is satisfactory. The clear direction provided by the acting headteacher has quickly gained everyone's confidence and strengthened staff morale.

The committed staff team works with enthusiasm and has succeeded in maintaining good outcomes for pupils in the absence of the permanent headteacher. Some have taken on new roles of responsibility and provided sound leadership. However, current leadership arrangements are temporary.

This has created uncertainty and restricts the pace of planning for improvement. It also means that while self-evaluation is broadly accurate, development planning has not had a sufficiently sharp focus. The strategic re-structuring of the management team and the development of leadership skills are still in the early stages of development.

The governing body provides satisfactory support and challenge. The school makes a good contribution to promoting community cohesion and pupils from all backgrounds get on well together.

Information about the school

This is a smaller than average primary school.

The percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. The percentage of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is average, but the percentage with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The percentage of pupils from minority ethnic groups, or who speak English as an additional language, is average.

The school has achieved Healthy School status, Activemark and has a Bronze Award for sustainability. Since April 2010, the school has been led by a headteacher from another school for two and a half days a week, due to the long-term absence of the permanent headteacher. Since the last inspection, there has been a significant turn-over of teaching staff.