St Mary's Junior school last had a formal visit from Ofsted in November 2021, when I am delighted to tell you that the school was judged to be Outstanding. 

Some of the highlights of the report are:

The strong leadership of the school was praised as the report stated: ‘Leaders have high expectations of every pupil. Staff are sharply focussed on pupils’ learning and their personal development. This supports pupils to leave the school fully equipped to thrive in the next stage of their lives.’

‘Leaders have developed a broad and ambitious curriculum. It is well planned and carefully sequenced. Expert subject leaders make sure that learning builds on what the pupils know. This helps pupils to remember what they have learned and to achieve well.

 ‘Pupils are proud to be part of the ‘One Family’ in this school. They enjoy the strong friendships they form and the considerate way that pupils treat each other.’

‘This is an exceptionally inclusive school. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are nurtured and celebrated. Well planned interventions and pre-teaching give pupils the support they need. This helps them to fully integrate into the classroom with their friends. As a result, these pupils thrive and achieve well.’

The report adds that, ‘provision for pupils’ personal development is exemplary.’

‘One pupil told the inspector that the ‘school helps them to grow as people’. Pupils are proud of their ‘best bits’ books. They use these to record the moments they most enjoy in school.’

The report further highlighted ‘the consistently high standards of behaviour. In class pupils are highly engaged and focused on their learning. Around the school, pupils are polite and kind to each other and to others.’

See below for the full report. 

In addition, following our Church School Inspection in March 2019, I am delighted to tell you that St Mary’s has been judged as an Excellent Church School and that all seven strands, as well as RE, were also judged as excellent.

The key findings were that:

• St. Mary’s Christian vision underpins its work as a highly distinctive church school. It drives the work of school leaders and has a transformational impact on the lives of its pupils and their families.

• The rich, broad curriculum strongly supports the academic and social development of pupils exceptionally well.

• The skilled and determined leadership of the headteacher, strongly supported by the school’s staff and governors, has created a vibrant Christian community where pupils and adults flourish, despite any challenges encountered.

• High quality provision for religious education (RE) and collective worship strongly contributes to pupils’ spiritual development. This is further strengthened by the extremely supportive partnership that has been established between the local church and the school.

The result of this report gives us a chance to celebrate all the hard work and commitment of the staff and governors to continue to strive to improve the school and to provide the best possible experiences for all pupils. It would of course not be possible without the amazing support given to the school by parents, other relatives, friends and the community as a whole, which was also recognised in the report. And last but by no means least, the commitment of the children in developing St Mary’s as one family, as well as the pride they take in both their own and other’s achievements.

I would like to end with a message from the inspector herself, ‘Could you also say a huge ‘thank you’ to your super children, great staff and governors for making the inspection day so enjoyable.’

The report can be seen below as an attachment.

Ms C Welch
Headteacher