Tedburn St Mary School, located in Exeter, Devon, has recently undergone an inspection on April 17 and 18, 2024, and has been rated as good overall. The school is led by headteacher Andy Keay and is part of the Link Academy Trust, which is overseen by CEO Nicky Dunford and a board of trustees chaired by Cheryl Mathieson. The school serves a mixed-gender population of 96 pupils aged between four and eleven years.
Pupils at Tedburn St Mary School express pride in their school, describing it as a family-like environment where respect, curiosity, and pride are core values. The behavior of the students is noted to be exceptional, with a strong sense of community and mutual respect among peers. Students actively participate in school governance, with school councillors leading assemblies and educating their classmates about fundamental British values, fostering a well-rounded understanding of democracy and tolerance.
The school places a strong emphasis on online safety and encourages pupils to recognize and manage risky behaviors. Educational trips, such as visits to museums, enhance learning experiences, allowing students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world contexts. The school offers a variety of extracurricular clubs, including guitar, football, and choir, which help students develop confidence and resilience.
Parents have expressed positive feedback regarding the school, particularly appreciating the individualized attention each staff member provides to students. The leadership team is ambitious for all pupils, having prioritized improvements in early reading and phonics since the last inspection. Staff have received thorough training to effectively deliver the phonics curriculum, ensuring that reading materials align with the phonics scheme. This approach has fostered a love for reading among children from their first day at school, enabling them to decode unfamiliar words and understand their meanings effectively.
The curriculum at Tedburn St Mary School reflects the breadth of the national curriculum, although it is at varying stages of development across subjects. Mathematics is well-established, with a curriculum that progressively builds skills and knowledge from Reception to Year Six. Pupils demonstrate confidence in integrating new knowledge with prior learning, resulting in high-quality work. However, in some subjects, the curriculum lacks coherence, leading to activities that do not effectively connect ideas or challenge pupils sufficiently, hindering deeper understanding.
The school is inclusive, with pupils with special educational needs and disabilities working alongside their peers. The small school environment fosters strong relationships between staff and students, ensuring that the needs of all pupils are well understood and met. The personal development curriculum is a notable strength, with pupils actively engaging in charitable activities and understanding the importance of contributing to society.
The trustees and local hub board members are aware of the school's strengths and areas for improvement, prioritizing staff well-being, which contributes to a positive working environment. Safeguarding measures are effective, ensuring a safe learning environment for all pupils.
To enhance the educational experience further, the school should focus on improving the curriculum design and delivery in certain subjects to ensure that knowledge is interconnected and that pupils can deepen their understanding across all areas of learning. Overall, Tedburn St Mary School provides a supportive and enriching environment for its pupils, fostering both academic and personal growth.
