Clyst St Mary Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 September 2024

Clyst St Mary Primary School is a warm and friendly school at the heart of the community. Staff and pupils have relationships built on trust and mutual respect. Pupils say that if they have any concerns, they know staff will support them. As a result, pupils feel safe. The school has high expectations for pupil's achievements. However, some aspects of the curriculum are not implemented effectively enough. This means many pupils are not prepared for the next stage of their education as well as they should. Pupils are proud of their school. Older pupils show kindness and support to the younger pupils. Pupils contribute positively to the local and wider community. For example, pupils have raised money through sponsored events for new football goals as well as charities, such as Children in Need. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are included fully in all aspects of school life. Pupils talk positively about the range of after- school clubs and extra-curricular activities available. Residentials at outdoor education centres help to build pupils' independence and confidence. Pupils have a strong understanding of what it takes to be physically and mentally healthy. They also learn how to stay safe online.

What the school should improve

• Teaching does not routinely check what pupils know and understand. This means learning activities do not match what pupils know and can do. This is a particular issue in mathematics where, as a result, misconceptions are not swiftly addressed. Pupils do not achieve as well as they should. The school must ensure that teaching checks pupils' understanding effectively so that all pupils achieve ambitious outcomes.
• The implementation of the phonics curriculum does not always reflect the ambitious intent of leaders. This means that some pupils do not learn phonics well and they have gaps in their phonics knowledge. Leaders need to ensure that the school's phonics programme is delivered effectively in all phases of the school and by all staff who teach pupils to read.
• Leaders, including those responsible for governance, do not have sufficiently detailed oversight of the quality of education. As a result, some of the priorities for improvement have not been timely nor consistently implemented. The school should ensure those responsible for curriculum development have the appropriate training and opportunities to check the impact of the curriculum. The school should also ensure the governing body receive sufficiently detailed information to support and hold leaders to account.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)