St Marychurch Church of England Primary and Nursery School in Torquay, Devon, has been rated as good in its recent inspection conducted on May 14 and 15, 2024. The school is led by headteacher Jane Bruten and is part of St Christopher’s Multi-Academy Trust, overseen by CEO Jo Evans and a board of trustees chaired by Andrew Bailey. The school serves a diverse population of 293 pupils aged 3 to 11, including a significant number of disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Pupils at St Marychurch are described as vibrant and confident, taking pride in their school and the positive changes implemented over the past year. They exhibit good behavior in lessons and during transitions, valuing the recognition they receive for positive actions. The school fosters a strong sense of community, with staff modeling the values of love, joy, peace, and kindness, which pupils embody in their interactions. The nurturing relationships between staff and students contribute to a supportive environment where pupils feel valued and encouraged.
Parents and carers have expressed high praise for the school, particularly noting improvements in communication and the positive impact on their children's education. The school has made significant strides in strengthening its curriculum since the last inspection, with new leadership contributing to rapid improvements in educational quality. Despite some low published outcomes in 2023, the current learning environment reflects a more positive trajectory for pupil achievement.
The curriculum is ambitious and well-implemented across most subjects, with teachers demonstrating secure subject knowledge and an understanding of effective teaching strategies. However, there are areas where consistency is lacking, particularly in writing, where some staff do not address errors and misconceptions promptly. This inconsistency can hinder progress for some pupils, indicating a need for higher expectations and more tailored support.
In the early years, children are encouraged to explore and develop their language skills through effective questioning and support in early reading and numeracy. The school has successfully fostered a love of reading, with pupils expressing enthusiasm for the books they engage with. The inclusive nature of the school ensures that disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND are recognized as integral members of the community, although there is room for improvement in the precision of support provided to these students.
Behavior management strategies have been positively received, with a consistent approach to supporting pupils who struggle with behavior. The school promotes good mental health awareness, encouraging pupils to express their views and respect diverse opinions. This prepares them well for future challenges.
Governance and leadership are characterized by an ambitious vision for the school, with clear systems in place to monitor the effectiveness of improvement actions. The school has made notable progress since the last inspection, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the educational experience for all pupils.
The safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all students. However, there are areas identified for improvement, particularly in maintaining consistently high expectations for writing across all subjects and ensuring that adaptations for pupils with SEND are precise and effective. The school is encouraged to continue embedding its curriculum strengths across all areas to ensure that all pupils benefit equally from the educational opportunities provided. Overall, St Marychurch Church of England Primary and Nursery School is on a positive path, with a strong foundation for continued growth and improvement.
