St Margaret of Scotland Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 30 June 2026

Inclusive practice sits at the heart of this school. Pupils attend regularly. They develop warm, trusting relationships with staff and have a deep sense of belonging. The school’s Catholic ethos underpins pupils’ positive social behaviours. Pupils behave impeccably. They are kind, respectful and courteous. Pupils listen to each other’s ideas. They understand that at times there may be differences of opinion but value the contributions others make to discussions. Pupils appreciate and value their diverse community. Bullying is rare. Pupils relish social times. They play cooperatively and share outdoor equipment. Pupils feel safe. They know staff will listen to any concerns they have and help resolve these quickly. Pupils are enthusiastic learners. Familiar routines and clear expectations enable pupils to focus on learning, celebrate their successes and understand how they can improve their work. Pupils aspire to do well because they know this will help them succeed in life. Pupils who need support to keep up with learning receive timely, highly effective help. As a result, gaps in pupils' learning close quickly. Pupils are well prepared for their next stage of education. They achieve well in national tests. Effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities ensures they achieve successfully from their starting points. Some pupils with education, health and care plans benefit from learning in the Ark. This provides a quieter space tailored to their needs. Pupils are becoming informed, socially aware individuals. They understand equality and injustice through studying topics such as slavery. Pupils reflect thoughtfully on what they learn. This enhances their social and moral understanding. Pupils access a range of clubs, such as sewing or boxing. These introduce new interests and develop life-long skills. Pupils enjoy educational visits, such as trips to the theatre or museums to view World War II artefacts.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should support the consistency of teaching across the early years, ensuring that staff make effective choices about how to teach children new skills and concepts across the curriculum so that children sustain focus and achieve the intended learning.
• Leaders should ensure they continue to focus on raising achievement in mathematics so that pupils reach the same high standards in this subject as they do in others.

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