St Mary’s CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school wants pupils to live the motto: 'I can do all things.' It is successful in achieving this aim. The school has turned this vision into reality for its pupils.

Every adult in the school wants the very best for every single pupil. They leave no stone unturned in trying to make that happen. Adults in the school care deeply about the pupils.

Pupils grow into happy, confident, independent and successful learners. The school provides an exceptionally inclusive environment. Everybody, regardless of their background or individual needs, can thrive.

Pupils know that this degree of care and ambition is exceptional. Many told us that they feel lucky to attend ...this school. In return, pupils behave extremely well and work very hard.

As a result, pupils learn the ambitious curriculum successfully and achieve well.

Pupils make a significant contribution to the smooth running of the school. For example, there are nine pupil leadership groups.

These groups help manage the playground, the library, collective worship and much more besides. Pupils' involvement in school life goes beyond this. Pupils help each other to behave well, to follow school rules and treat each other with respect.

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

The school provides a high quality of education to all its pupils. This includes those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The curriculum sets out in intricate detail every bit of knowledge pupils will learn in every subject.

It does this from the start of Nursery all the way through to the end of Year 6. It also shows where knowledge learned in one subject will help pupils learn something else in a different subject. Pupils learn what the curriculum intends.

They develop a deep understanding of the subjects they learn.

Teachers are skilled at making sure that pupils remember the things they are taught. They check carefully that pupils understand what they are learning.

If needed, teachers break down learning into smaller steps. Over time, teachers check and re-check that pupils have learned what they need to move on to the next stage of the curriculum journey. They quickly adapt their teaching where needed to make sure gaps in pupils' knowledge are quickly closed.

The school has a sharp focus on making sure every pupil learns to read. As soon as children join the Nursery, they start to learn about hearing sounds in words. Over the course of the Reception Year and Year 1, pupils learn to read and write letters accurately.

They practise reading the sounds they are learning until they can decode words fluently. This almost always happens by the end of Year 2. The few who need more time, get high-quality help and they catch up during Year 3.

Pupils dive into the world of books willingly and with excitement. They read daily in class, at home or in the calm space of the 'Book Burrow'.The school also makes sure that pupils secure the basics of mathematics as early as possible.

This ensures that pupils recall and apply number knowledge quickly. Pupils use this to tackle complex mathematical challenges. This is something they do every day, from the early years through to Year 6.

Pupils do this confidently and accurately. For example, pupils can explain why an answer might or might not be correct, using their knowledge of related mathematical concepts to test out and justify their response.

Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, achieve equally well in all subjects.

They produce high-quality work that shows they are learning what the curriculum sets out for them to know. The school helps pupils to build their knowledge securely over time from their starting points. The longer a pupil has been at the school, the better their end of key stage attainment becomes.

The school provides exceptionally well for pupils' personal development. The personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum gives pupils essential knowledge and skills to support their well-being. For example, it helps them to be resilient, tolerant and respectful.

As a result, pupils have an exceptionally well-developed understanding of what it means to belong to the school family and their social and moral responsibility to the community beyond.

The extra-curricular offer is exceptionally strong. The school seeks out any opportunity to broaden pupils' horizons, help them pursue an interest or develop a talent.

Leaders keep a close check on who is making the most of these opportunities. If a pupil seems reluctant or has difficulty taking part, leaders do all they can to help. As a result, pupils from all backgrounds benefit from the broad range of opportunities.

This includes pupils with SEND.

Since the school joined the trust in April 2020, it has improved substantially. Trust leaders provide effective support where necessary.

Leaders monitor the impact of their work carefully. As a result, pupils make substantial progress in learning the ambitious curriculum and are socially and emotionally very well prepared to move on from primary school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.