St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Claughton-on-Brock

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. 'This school is like a family' say pupils, parents and staff.

Excellent promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in the warm, caring ethos ensures that pupils develop mature, sensible and caring attitudes towards others and to their learning. Behaviour is outstanding. Pupils feel very safe, secure and happy, and are extremely proud of their school.

They are unfailingly polite, friendly and helpful, participate in all activities with great enthusiasm and make a very strong contribution to school life. Attendance is above average. Very keen attitudes result in excellent achievement.

All pupils, includ...ing those with special educational needs make at least good progress in English and mathematics, and many make significantly better than expected progress. Attainment is well above average. This results from a very good start in the Early Years Foundation Stage and the way learning is tailored very closely to pupils' individual needs and abilities as they move through the school.

Outstanding teaching was seen in lessons that were well-planned with lots of challenge and activities directed very precisely to different abilities. Pupils' work is marked thoroughly, with useful comments to help them improve, but they do not always have opportunities to respond to these. Reading is taught very well, and attainment is well above average, supporting learning in all lessons.

Pupils show great enthusiasm for reading, and read widely for pleasure and for research. The headteacher's dedicated and inspirational leadership underpins the strong teamwork between leaders, staff, governors and parents. Their shared vision for the school has seen improvements since the previous inspection, most notably in achievement and the quality of teaching.

Parents' views were particularly positive, especially about pupils' learning, the quality of teaching and the way the school keeps their children safe.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average size primary school and pupils are taught in two mixed-age classes. The proportion of pupils supported at school action or school action plus is below average and there are no pupils with a statement of special educational needs.

The proportion known to be eligible for the pupil premium is well below average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The headteacher is an associate advisor with the local authority, sharing her leadership skills and best practice with other schools.