St Mawes Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school which has improved since its last inspection.

Attainment is above average at both key stages. The actions taken over recent years demonstrate that the school has the capacity to improve. The school is not yet outstanding because aspects of mathematics and teachers' marking need improvement.

Pupils achieve well and clearly enjoy learning. Pupils achieve particularly well in English; attainment by the end of Year 6 is above average in writing and high in reading. Although most pupils achieve well in mathematics, their ability to investigate and solve mathematical problems is less well developed.

All groups of pupils make at least good progress, including disabled p...upils and those with special educational needs. Teaching is good. The teaching of basic skills, including phonics (letters and their sounds), is effective.

Assessment is generally used effectively to identify how well pupils are progressing, but teachers' marking in mathematics does not always give pupils sufficient information about what they need to do to improve. Pupils' behaviour in classes and around the school is outstanding. They are mature, polite and very supportive of each other.

The school is a harmonious and caring environment as a result. All pupils are very insistent that they feel safe in school and that there is no bullying of any kind. Attendance has improved since the previous inspection and is now above average.

The school is effectively managed and led. Staff and governors have a clear focus on improving the school. The effective monitoring of teaching and learning, and management of staff performance, have led to measurable improvements.

The school enjoys outstanding relationships with parents, carers and the wider community. The curriculum meets pupils' needs well and promotes their spiritual, moral and social development exceptionally effectively.

Information about the school

St Mawes is a much smaller than average-sized primary school.

Nearly all pupils are of White British heritage and none speaks English as an additional language; a few are of mixed British and African heritage. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported at school action plus is below average.

No pupil has a statement of special educational need. A significant proportion of pupils join the school at times other than the beginning of Reception. Pupils are taught in two mixed-age classes.

Since the last inspection in May 2008, there has been a significant change of staff, including the appointment of the present headteacher in March 2010, who had been acting headteacher since January 2009. The school has achieved Dyslexia Friendly status, the Activemark, Artsmark Gold and a Healthy Schools award. The school meets the current floor standards, which set the minimum government expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.