Ofsted conducted a short inspection of St Mary’s Church of England Primary School on 20 June 2019, following its previous judgment of good in November 2014. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team has effectively upheld a nurturing and safe environment where pupils can thrive. The school promotes independence and resilience among students, rooted in its Christian ethos, encouraging them to value diversity and support one another. The curriculum is engaging and enriched with various trips and activities that enhance learning across subjects. For instance, Year 4 pupils explored Chester to learn about Roman history, while Year 5 utilized the school’s forest area to deepen their understanding of wartime experiences.
The governing body is supportive and shares the leadership's ambitions for continuous improvement, particularly in mathematics and writing. They actively monitor the school’s progress and provide a balance of challenge and support. However, the school improvement plan lacks clarity in measuring success, which can hinder effective oversight of progress in key areas, such as writing outcomes at key stage 2. The staff is dedicated and embraces professional development opportunities, which have positively impacted teaching quality and pupil achievement. Training has been particularly effective in enhancing reading instruction, leading to improved outcomes.
Pupils express pride in their school, demonstrating good behavior and a strong sense of safety. They appreciate the supportive and caring nature of the staff. Leadership roles, such as participation in the school council and eco council, empower pupils and foster their confidence. The school promotes an understanding of equality, although knowledge of religions beyond Christianity is limited.
Parents and carers hold a positive view of the school, praising the dedication of the staff and the supportive environment. They appreciate the accessibility of teachers and learning mentors, highlighting the school as a happy and safe place for children to learn and grow. The school has addressed previous inspection recommendations, focusing on improving consistency in teaching reading, writing, and mathematics. While some inconsistencies remain due to staffing changes, leaders have implemented professional development to address these issues.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with leaders prioritizing pupil safety and ensuring staff are well-trained in safeguarding protocols. Pupils feel secure and are confident in discussing any concerns with trusted adults. The inspection also focused on early reading and writing skills in Reception, finding that the learning environment is stimulating and promotes good progress. The teaching of writing in key stage 2 has improved, with staff planning engaging lessons that inspire pupils. However, inconsistencies in handwriting quality were noted, indicating a need for a more uniform approach.
In mathematics, recent training has enhanced teaching effectiveness, leading to improved pupil confidence in problem-solving and reasoning. The school is committed to ongoing monitoring to ensure these improvements are sustained. The next steps for the school include refining the school improvement plan for better oversight, embedding changes in writing and mathematics instruction, developing a consistent handwriting approach, and expanding pupils' understanding of various religions. Overall, the inspection affirmed the school’s good standing while identifying areas for further growth and development.
