St Mark’s CofE Primary School in Wigan has recently undergone an inspection, resulting in an overall effectiveness rating of good. The inspection took place on the 13th and 14th of September 2023, and the school has shown significant improvement since its previous inspection, which rated it as requiring improvement. The headteacher, Kayleigh Ferguson, leads the school, which is part of The Wings’ CE Trust, overseen by CEO Rachael Coulthard and a board of trustees chaired by Andrea Atherton.
Pupils at St Mark’s are reported to be happy and feel a strong sense of belonging within the school community. The relationships between staff and pupils are strong, fostering an environment where pupils feel safe to express their concerns. The school maintains high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring that they are well supported in their learning. As a result, pupils generally achieve well, with Year 6 students being well-prepared for their transition to secondary education.
Behaviour in the school is commendable, with pupils demonstrating good conduct during lessons and playtimes. They understand the importance of school rules, which are designed to keep them safe. Beyond academics, the school offers a variety of extracurricular opportunities, including unique experiences for Year 6 pupils, such as visits to the seaside and overnight stays at an aquarium.
The curriculum has been revised collaboratively by the trust, local governing body, and school leaders, ensuring it is well-organized and allows pupils to build their knowledge logically. However, there are still some subjects where the essential knowledge that pupils need to learn is not clearly defined, which can hinder their overall learning progression. Additionally, while the curriculum is generally delivered effectively, there are instances where pupils do not have enough opportunities to recap and consolidate their learning, leading to gaps in knowledge.
The school prioritizes reading, and pupils enjoy the diverse range of books available to them. Recent changes to the early reading and phonics curriculum have been implemented to address previous weaknesses in phonics screening results. Most staff have received training to deliver this new curriculum effectively, resulting in improved early language development among younger pupils. However, some staff are still developing their expertise, and a small number of pupils may not receive the support they need to catch up in phonics, which can affect their reading fluency.
Attendance has improved significantly, allowing more pupils to benefit from essential learning experiences. The school fosters a positive learning environment, with pupils displaying enthusiasm and collaboration in their work. They are also educated about safety and well-being, learning about diversity and important values such as respect and tolerance, which prepares them for life in modern society.
The local governing body is actively involved in the school’s operations, ensuring that leaders focus on curriculum improvement and that staff have the necessary resources and training. Since the last inspection, many positive changes have been made, and leaders are mindful of the impact of these changes on staff workload and well-being. Communication with parents is effective, with many expressing appreciation for the support their children receive.
The school has effective safeguarding arrangements in place, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. To further improve, the school needs to clarify the essential knowledge in certain subjects and enhance strategies for reviewing prior learning to help pupils make connections between their knowledge and new learning. Additionally, support for pupils who struggle with reading needs to be strengthened to ensure they become confident readers.
