Following our inspection on 3rd and 4th July 2013, Ofsted have St. Mary’s to be ‘Outstanding’ across all four areas of inspection (Achievement of pupils, Quality of teaching, Behaviour and safety of pupils and Leadership and management).
Summary of key findings
This is an outstanding school.
- Achievement is outstanding. Pupils leave the school with well above average standards in English and mathematics.
- All groups of pupils make outstanding progress from broadly typical starting points on entry to the nursery class.
- Teaching is frequently outstanding and never less than good.
- The school provides very well for those children with additional or specialist learning needs.
- The range of learning opportunities is excellent.
- Behaviour is outstanding. Pupils are very involved in ensuring that behaviour remains outstanding across the school. Pupils feel safe in school.
- Teachers responsible for particular areas of the curriculum have very good specialist subject knowledge.
- The school is very good at helping teachers and other adult assistants to improve their practice, and has high expectations of them.
- Leaders and managers, and especially the headteacher and governors, have a very clear understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses and have driven significant improvement forward since the previous inspection.
- The school has a very positive atmosphere, in which learning, sharing and caring for each other are highly valued and demonstrated.
