St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Rickmansworth has been recognized for its good overall effectiveness following an inspection in March 2019. The school is experiencing rapid improvement under the leadership of a dedicated headteacher and a committed middle leadership team, supported by governors who are focused on providing the best education for all pupils. The school fosters a caring and inclusive environment where pupils feel well looked after, and there is strong support from parents, carers, and staff.
The curriculum is designed to be exciting and aspirational, promoting pupils' spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. This prepares them well for the next stages of their education and for life in modern Britain. Pupils demonstrate a love for learning and show good behavior in lessons and during playtime, exhibiting respect and tolerance towards one another and adults. The implementation of new teaching strategies has positively impacted learning in reading, writing, and mathematics, leading to good progress for current pupils from their starting points.
In the early years, the curriculum and teaching are improving rapidly, with children working well together in a stimulating environment. They make good progress from their various starting points. Teachers exhibit strong subject knowledge and employ effective questioning techniques that enhance pupils' thinking and skills across the curriculum. Leaders and governors have a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement, and their improvement plans are effective.
Safeguarding practices are robust, ensuring that pupils are kept safe and that any concerns are addressed promptly. Staff utilize their knowledge of current pupils to plan effective learning tasks, providing sufficient challenge and support to enable all groups to progress well. The new middle leadership team is beginning to drive school development, although it has not yet had sufficient time to demonstrate sustained impact on teaching and learning outcomes.
To further improve, the school needs to ensure that teachers consistently implement new teaching strategies effectively, enabling all pupils to make good or better progress over time. Rigorous evaluations of these strategies by middle leaders are necessary to ensure sustained improvements, particularly in reading, writing, and mathematics.
The leadership and management of the school are rated as good. The headteacher, leaders, and governors work collaboratively to enhance all aspects of the school, with a clear vision guiding their efforts. Staff appreciate the high-quality training provided, contributing to a positive morale and a strong capacity for further improvement. The middle leadership team is developing teachers’ skills effectively, and their actions are already showing improvements in pupil progress.
The school’s curriculum is engaging and builds pupils' skills through a well-structured sequence of learning. This approach deepens their understanding and thinking, including for the most able pupils. The school promotes British values and ensures that pupils are well-prepared for life in modern Britain. The governing body is dedicated to school development and regularly checks the impact of the school improvement plan.
Overall, St Mary’s Church of England Primary School is a good school that is on a positive trajectory of improvement, with effective leadership, a supportive community, and a commitment to providing quality education for all its pupils.
