St Mary’s RC Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at this nurturing, caring school in the heart of the community. The school's mission and values, 'learning, share friendship and show respect for ourselves and others', are at the heart of everyone's work. Pupils enjoy strong and caring relationships with staff and each other.

These are built upon respect. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe.

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) rise to the high expectations the school has for them.

They value their learning and appreciate the wider experiences on offer. As a result, they achieve exceptionally well across the curriculum.

Pupils' behaviou...r is exemplary.

This is because routines are well established. Pupils know what is expected from them. In lessons, pupils have highly positive attitudes to learning.

They are well mannered, and kind and courteous to staff and to each other.

Pupils' wider experiences at school are impressive. The school carefully considers each activity to best support pupils' education and wider development.

These include sports, art, music and outdoor education. Staff make excellent use of resources available in the locality, such as theatres, museums and sports centres, to enrich pupils' learning.

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

Pupils benefit from a highly ambitious curriculum.

This has been designed to meet the specific needs of the St Mary's community. The school has given careful consideration to the important knowledge and vocabulary that pupils, including pupils with SEND, will learn and the order in which this is taught. This starts in the early years, where children's learning prepares them very well for the demands of key stage 1.

The curriculum enables pupils to shine in every subject.

The curriculum is delivered expertly. Staff have strong subject knowledge of the topics that they teach.

They skilfully check pupils' understanding before new learning is encountered. In lessons, pupils have time to revisit prior learning and also practise new knowledge. This allows pupils to successfully build a rich bank of subject knowledge that they apply confidently within and across subjects.

Pupils are enthused by their learning. They appreciate the high-quality activities that their teachers prepare for them.

Children's positive attitudes to learning and their excellent behaviour start from the early years.

Staff are extremely knowledgeable about child development. This helps them to identify when children need more support to be ready for Year 1. Staff ensure that all children have the support that they need to excel.

Reading is at the heart of the curriculum. The school's staff have thoughtfully chosen key texts and books to align with the curriculum. Pupils across the school take pleasure in reading, especially when it is their turn to read to Kara, the school dog.

Staff are experts at delivering the phonics programme. Pupils who struggle with early reading are quickly identified and effective support is put in place. Pupils learn how to read accurately and fluently.

As a result, almost all pupils become confident readers who achieve exceptionally well in reading by the end of Year 6.

The school identifies the additional needs of pupils with SEND promptly and accurately. Staff make careful adaptions to the delivery of the curriculum, when needed.

This allows pupils with SEND to learn the same content as their peers. Pupils with SEND progress through the curriculum and achieve well.

Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is excellent.

Low-level disruption in lessons is very rare. The school has high expectations for pupils' attendance. Pupils are rarely absent.

The provision to support pupils' personal development is highly aspirational and extremely well thought through. Pupils are taught important topics, such as equality, diversity and tolerance. They learn about what it is like to be different and show great respect towards others.

Pupils deepen their learning through trips linked to the curriculum. These visits help to make learning come to life and develop pupils' cultural awareness.

Pupils make a real contribution to the school community by taking on leadership roles.

For example, school librarians encourage pupils to change their books and learn about different authors. Pupils are especially proud of the work that they do to support their local community. This includes raising money for local charities, litter picking and supporting food banks.

The governing body knows the school exceptionally well. It uses its expertise to challenge and support leaders. Staff well-being is carefully considered.

Staff are valued and listened to. They are immensely proud to work at this highly inclusive school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.