St Mary’s The Mount Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Pupils make excellent overall progress during their time at school, and their achievement has been outstanding for the last three years. Achievement and attainment are exceptional in mathematics. Teaching is often outstanding.

Teachers have excellent subject knowledge, have high expectations of pupils and through rigorous monitoring have detailed knowledge of the learning needs of every pupil. Children are provided with an excellent start to their education and personal development in the Reception and Nursery. All groups of pupils, including those supported by additional pupil premium funding, do particularly well.

Alth...ough almost all more able pupils reach their full potential, the school does not yet provide enough specialist opportunities for its gifted and talented pupils. Pupils' behaviour and enthusiastic attitudes to learning are exemplary. Their care and respect for each other and adults make the school a happy and safe environment for all.

The headteacher is an outstanding leader. Her ambitions for the high achievement of pupils are widely shared by an excellent team of leaders and the whole school staff. Leaders consistently drive successful improvement throughout the school, particularly in the quality of teaching and learning.

The governing body offers outstanding challenge and support to the school, using a variety of skills to excellent effect.

Information about this school

St Mary's The Mount Catholic Primary School is an average-sized primary school. The majority of pupils are White British, and almost a third of pupils come from a range of other ethnic heritages.

This number continues to rise. Just over a quarter of pupils speak English as an additional language. A small number of pupils speak little or no English when they enter the school.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported by school action is below average. The proportion supported by school action plus or a statement of special educational needs is also below average. A small number of pupils are supported through the pupil premium.

This is additional government funding for particular groups: children in the care of the local authority, children from service families and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals. There are currently no pupils on the school roll from the first two of these groups. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress.

The school is organised into seven single-year classes and a Nursery. The school provides well-attended pre-school and after-school clubs, as well as a summer holiday club. There have been a number of changes of staff since the previous inspection four years ago.