St Mary’s CofE Primary School in Albrighton, Wolverhampton, has been recognized as a good school following its recent inspection on January 30 and 31, 2024. The school is characterized by a warm and friendly atmosphere where pupils feel safe and supported. There is a strong sense of community among students and staff, and the school promotes values such as perseverance, respect, generosity, and friendship. Pupils express a commitment to overcoming challenges, reflecting the school’s ethos.
The school is ambitious for all its pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The curriculum is well-structured, allowing pupils to achieve commendable results. The school parliament provides opportunities for pupils to participate in decision-making, fostering a sense of pride and ownership among them. The behavior of pupils is commendable; they are polite, eager to learn, and demonstrate a good understanding of safety, particularly online.
Parents and carers have expressed positive feedback about the school, highlighting the kindness and approachability of the staff. The curriculum is ambitious and well-constructed, with a clear sequence of knowledge and skills across various subjects. However, there are instances where the work assigned to pupils does not align well with the intended curriculum, leading to tasks that may be too easy and not conducive to deepening their learning.
Pupils develop a love for reading, engaging with novels in class and discussing their favorite books and authors. The school emphasizes phonics and reading from the early years, with effective delivery by trained staff. Regular practice with appropriate texts helps most pupils become confident readers. In reading lessons, high-quality texts are provided, enhancing comprehension and vocabulary skills. Nonetheless, there are areas for improvement, particularly in using assessment to identify gaps in learning and ensuring that pupils are not left waiting too long before progressing to the next task.
Pupils take pride in their work, encouraged to explore their learning creatively. For instance, their sketchbooks reflect their artistic development and understanding of various techniques. Early years pupils quickly learn good behavior habits, and throughout the school, pupils exhibit politeness and cooperation. They are educated about bullying and feel confident that any incidents will be addressed promptly by school leaders.
The school effectively identifies the needs of pupils with SEND and provides tailored support, resulting in positive outcomes for these students. A variety of extracurricular activities, including choir and dance clubs, enrich the pupils' experiences. Outdoor woodland learning promotes teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Staff members feel valued and supported in managing their workload, and governors fulfill their duties effectively, maintaining an accurate understanding of the school’s performance through regular visits. The safeguarding arrangements are deemed effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
To enhance its performance, the school needs to improve the use of assessment information in lessons to identify and address learning gaps more effectively. Additionally, ensuring consistent delivery of the curriculum as intended will help align teaching with desired learning outcomes. Overall, St Mary’s CofE Primary School continues to provide a supportive and enriching educational experience for its pupils, with clear areas identified for further development.
