St Mary’s CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thoroughly enjoy attending this vibrant, welcoming school.

They are excited to come into school each day. Pupils flourish due to the supportive, caring relationships that they form with staff. These relationships help pupils to feel happy and safe.

The school has extremely high expectations for what pupils can achieve. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), consistently live up to or exceed these expectations. They shine in all that they do.

This is reflected in the exceptional quality of work that pupils produce. Pupils can recall their prior learning in depth and talk about it confidently.

Pupils r...elish every opportunity to learn.

Their behaviour is exemplary around the school. From the beginning of the early years to Year 6, there is a calm and comfortable atmosphere that enables pupils to focus completely on their learning.

The school's motto 'Nurturing creative thinkers' is borne out in the vast array of enrichment activities that pupils are offered.

For example, pupils benefit from outdoor learning, including orienteering in their school grounds. Leadership skills are developed through a carefully designed range of responsibilities such as sports leaders, reading ambassadors and school councillors. Pupils accept such roles with pride.

As a result of these opportunities, pupils are well prepared for life outside school.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has a coherently planned, ambitious curriculum in place that starts in the early years. It has carefully mapped out the important knowledge that pupils, including those with SEND, should learn at each stage and in each subject.

Staff are provided with purposeful, high-quality training. This enables staff to design highly effective learning activities that enable pupils to learn exceptionally well.

From the moment children enter the Nursery Year they are supported to develop their speech and language through rhyme and story.

Throughout the school, staff model the language and vocabulary they wish children to develop and use. As a result, pupils are articulate in conversations.

Staff promptly identify and resolve any misconceptions in pupils' learning.

They use their checks effectively to identify any gaps in pupils' knowledge. The school uses this information well to shape pupils' future learning. Over time, pupils develop a deep body of knowledge in a range of subjects.

Reading takes centre stage in the school. Staff deliver the phonics programme expertly and most pupils read fluently by the end of Year 2. Pupils who find reading more difficult, receive the support they need to catch up.

Pupils have access to a diverse range of high-quality texts. Older pupils talk enthusiastically about their favourite books and authors.

The school has highly effective systems to identify the specific needs of pupils with SEND at the earliest opportunity.

Thoughtful lesson adaptations ensure that pupils with SEND learn successfully alongside their peers. Where pupils need something more bespoke, this is provided without delay. Staff work with specialist support agencies to further enhance their understanding of pupils' needs and the best way to support them.

Pupils with SEND participate fully in all aspects of school life.

The school has high expectations for pupils' behaviour and conduct, both in the classroom and the playground. Adults teach pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour.

Pupils are kind, respectful and courteous.

Attendance is a priority for the school. Pupils enjoy attending school.

If an individual's attendance falls below the accepted level, the school works with families to provide the right support to bring about improvement. As a result, attendance rates are high.

The way that the school promotes pupils' personal development is praiseworthy.

In particular, pupils value the strength of the music and art curriculums. They learn to sing, play musical instruments and delight in the many performances that the school plans for them. Pupils in every year group talk excitedly about day trips and residential visits they have experienced.

These opportunities are carefully designed to immerse pupils in walks of life that are unfamiliar to them. For example, they visit museums and go to a mosque and a synagogue. These experiences promote pupils' understanding of different religions and cultures.

Pupils know how to keep themselves physically and mentally healthy. They understand the concept of consent and what makes a healthy relationship. They are exceptionally well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Governors are passionate about affording pupils as many opportunities to learn and grow as they can. They carry out their statutory duties effectively and hold the school to account for the quality of education that pupils receive. In addition, they carefully contemplate staff workload and well-being when making decisions.

Staff overwhelmingly agree that all leaders are considerate of this. Staff feel valued and are proud to work at this school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.