St Marys CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, leaders and governors have brought about many improvements to the school since the last inspection. Leaders, including governors, have high aspirations for pupils and make their high expectations for staff performance clear. As a result, the quality of teaching is good.

Leaders use information about pupils' progress well to ensure that pupils, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, those who are disadvantaged and the most able, make good progress from their different starting points in reading, writing and mathematics across the school. Pupils behave well at all times and enjoy school. They know ho...w to keep themselves and others safe in and out of school.

The school successfully promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. As a result, pupils have a good understanding of their social responsibility and helping others less fortunate than themselves. The early years provision in the school is good.

The broad curriculum supports children's early development so that the majority of them are well prepared to make a successful start to Year 1. Parents say how pleased they are with their children's progress and the stimulating curriculum which fires pupils' enthusiasm. A rich variety of after-school clubs and frequent educational visits enrich learning.

Occasionally, adults in Year 1 do not check effectively enough on how all groups are getting on. Consequently, some gaps in pupils' learning are not filled quickly enough. There is some very effective marking in pupils' books, providing clear guidance as to what they need to do to improve.

However, practice is not consistent across the school. Leaders have not checked carefully enough that the school website is up to date with all necessary information.

Information about this school

The school does not meet requirements on the publication of information about evaluating the impact of pupil premium and sport funding or explaining the curriculum on its website.

The proportion of pupils who start or leave the school during the course of the year is higher than in most schools. The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Children in the Nursery attend part time or all day including lunch.

The school provides before- and after-school care through 'Shawbury Stars' The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is below average. The majority of pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is below that found in most schools.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average compared to similar schools nationally. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics for pupils by the end of Year 6. Since the previous inspection, there has been a change in the leadership of the governing body.