Ofsted conducted a short inspection of St Mark’s CofE Primary School on 18 June 2019, following its previous judgment of good in May 2015. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain its good status. The leadership team has effectively upheld the quality of education, demonstrating ambition for the pupils and high expectations for their achievements. The headteacher, Mrs. Braithwaite, has addressed previous areas for improvement and has fostered a strong sense of community, celebrating the school’s diversity and promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development alongside its Christian values.
The senior leadership team has been effective in leading improvements in teaching and enhancing the roles of middle leaders. They have established clear priorities for continued improvement, focusing on both academic success and a broad range of extracurricular activities that enrich the curriculum. Pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning, take pride in their school, and are well-prepared for the next stages of their education. The school’s learning environment reflects its core values, and strong partnerships with parents have been established through workshops, coffee mornings, and newsletters, resulting in high levels of parental support.
Pupils’ progress and attainment by the end of Year 6 have consistently exceeded national averages, particularly in reading and mathematics. Current evidence suggests that this trend continues, with pupils making good progress across the school. The governing body is knowledgeable and actively involved in school life, effectively challenging leaders to ensure ongoing improvement. There is a strong capacity for further development within the school community.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with all arrangements deemed fit for purpose. Staff are well-trained and understand their responsibilities, ensuring that pupils receive the necessary support. Leaders are aware of the specific needs and challenges faced by the community, providing strong messages about safety, including issues like knife crime. The school engages effectively with parents, particularly those of vulnerable pupils, and collaborates with external agencies to ensure comprehensive support.
The inspection also focused on the school’s efforts to improve writing outcomes, as previous data indicated lower progress in this area compared to reading and mathematics. The school has prioritized writing, implementing new strategies to enhance teaching and learning. Early writing skills are introduced in the reception class, and teachers across key stages are increasingly confident in delivering the literacy curriculum. Initiatives such as writing competitions and displays have raised the profile of writing, and pupils are now making strong progress.
Additionally, the school has worked to ensure that the most able pupils are sufficiently challenged. Professional development has improved questioning techniques, enhancing the quality of teaching for all pupils. The school identifies and supports the most able children early, providing targeted interventions and opportunities for enrichment.
The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all pupils, emphasizing spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Leaders have reviewed research and visited other schools to enhance curriculum delivery. The curriculum is enriched by specialist teaching in music and physical education, and pupils benefit from a variety of visits and experiences that celebrate community diversity.
While the curriculum prepares pupils well for future education, there is recognition that further development is needed to ensure depth in all subjects. Leaders are committed to ongoing improvements, with plans for continued curriculum development in place. The school is well-positioned to secure further advancements for the benefit of its pupils.
