Mary Howard CofE (VC) Primary School, located in Edingale, Tamworth, has been recognized for its outstanding performance during the inspection conducted on March 20-21, 2014. The school has shown remarkable progress since its previous inspection, where it was rated as good. The current inspection highlights the school’s exceptional achievement in various areas, including the achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behavior and safety, and leadership and management, all rated as outstanding.
The school demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering an environment where children make significant progress in their early development, particularly during the Reception Year. Pupils at Key Stages 1 and 2 achieve outstanding results across a broad spectrum of subjects, including reading, writing, and mathematics. The school effectively prepares its students for the next stages of their education, ensuring they are well-equipped for future challenges.
Leadership at Mary Howard is characterized by a rigorous approach to monitoring teaching and learning. The headteacher and senior leadership team have established a culture of high expectations, ensuring that any pupils at risk of falling behind receive timely support. The most able students are consistently challenged, leading to their outstanding achievements. The enthusiasm of pupils towards engaging tasks is evident, and they strive to perform to the best of their abilities.
The quality of teaching is consistently high, with effective marking practices that provide clear guidance for improvement. Opportunities for developing literacy skills across the curriculum are excellent, although there is a need for further enhancement in the application of mathematical skills in other subjects. The school excels in promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, which significantly contributes to their positive relationships and excellent behavior.
Governance at the school is robust, with governors actively involved in monitoring performance and challenging leadership to ensure continuous improvement. They play a crucial role in decision-making processes that enhance the school’s effectiveness.
The inspection involved observing lessons, reviewing pupils' work, and engaging with staff, governors, and pupils. The inspector noted the school’s effective safeguarding arrangements and the positive feedback from parents regarding their children’s education.
Mary Howard CofE Primary School is smaller than the average primary school, with a predominantly White British pupil demographic. The proportion of pupils eligible for pupil premium funding is below average, and the school effectively supports those with special educational needs. The school meets the government’s floor standards, ensuring that pupils achieve the minimum expectations in English and mathematics.
To further improve, the school aims to enhance the integration of mathematical knowledge across the curriculum, ensuring it is as effectively developed as literacy skills. Overall, the inspection report underscores the school’s commitment to excellence in education, highlighting its outstanding achievements and the positive impact on pupils’ learning and development. The school’s leadership, teaching quality, and supportive environment contribute significantly to the exceptional outcomes for its pupils, making it a model of educational success.
