Marden Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 November 2023

Marden Primary really is a place, 'where individuals matter.' Pupils say they are happy at school and feel safe. They know that staff care about them and will help them with anything. Even before they join the school, staff get to know the children and find out what interests and motivates them. This helps children to make a positive start in the Reception Year. Pupils build on this successfully as they move through the school, so they are well prepared for their next step in education. Pupils understand the expectations to be a 'STAR'. This encourages them to be safe, truthful, ambitious and respectful. Pupils work hard to live up to these expectations and are proud of their achievements. On the playground they play very well together and have plenty of activities to keep them busy. In lessons, most pupils try their best and co-operate well with each other. The school prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain. They learn how to contribute positively to their school and local community from an early age. For example, some pupils act as reading buddies and support other pupils by hearing them read. Other pupils take pride in visiting local elderly residents delivering biscuits and brightening their day.

What the school should improve

• On occasion, the work pupils do is not as accurately matched to their needs as it could be. As a result, some pupils occasionally find the work either too hard or too easy. Leaders should ensure they continue to develop staff subject knowledge so that work is accurately matched to pupils' needs.
• Some subject areas are more developed than others. In a minority of subjects, the precise knowledge and skills that pupils need to know and remember is not as clear. As a result, the quality of pupils' work across subjects varies. Leaders should continue to develop the curriculum so that all subjects are of the same standard.

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