St Mary and St Michael Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher has stood firm to her vision that all pupils deserve the very best. She has worked tirelessly to overcome previous weaknesses in the school's work so that all pupils receive a good education.

Senior leaders, together with the headteacher, have secured strong improvements to the quality of teaching and learning throughout the school. Pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils enjoy their learning and develop the skills necessary for the next stage in their education.

The effectiveness of governance has improved since the previous inspection. Governors hold senior leaders to account for the progres...s that pupils make. Different groups of pupils achieve well.

Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities make strong, and sometimes rapid, progress from their starting points. Leaders ensure that the pupil premium funding is well spent. Disadvantaged pupils make equally good progress as other pupils in reading, writing and mathematics.

The early years provision is very effective. Children settle quickly, behave well and make good progress from the time they start school. The promotion of pupils' personal development and well-being is good.

Throughout the school, pupils behave well and show respect and good manners to others. The school is a happy and friendly place to be. Pupils are proud of their school and value the range of opportunities they are given to take responsibility.

Pupils feel safe in school and parents agree. Safeguarding is effective and pupils' safety and welfare are given the highest priority. Leaders' efforts to improve attendance have been successful.

The overall attendance of pupils has improved significantly. Occasionally, work is not sufficiently challenging for pupils. Not all teachers share the same very high expectations of what pupils can achieve, particularly the middle- and high-attaining pupils.

The teaching of problem-solving and reasoning in mathematics is not consistently of the highest quality. Opportunities for pupils to apply mathematical skills in a range of contexts are inconsistent. The work of some middle leaders is underdeveloped.

Some are new to their roles and have not had time to lead improvements in the quality of teaching in their subjects.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. Since the time of the previous inspection, there have been several new appointments to the teaching staff.

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is higher than the national average. Three quarters of pupils are from minority ethnic groups.

A higher-than-average number of pupils are supported by the pupil premium funding. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is well above average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is significantly higher than the national average.

The early years provision consists of two Reception classes and two Nursery classes. Children attend on a full-time basis in both the Nursery and Reception Years. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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