St Mary's Catholic Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 January 2023

The school's values of 'believe, achieve, aspire' permeate throughout the school. Leaders' aspirations for pupils are without limits. This is a school that pupils and staff are rightly proud of. Parents, carers and pupils typically describe the staff as caring and the school community as welcoming. All pupils are welcomed with open arms. Leaders ensure that each pupil's academic needs are fully considered and met. Consequently, pupils achieve well. Pupils demonstrate a great deal of care for each other, particularly those who are new to school or new to the country. Pupils say that they feel safe. They know who to talk to if they have a worry and know that it will be dealt with sensitively. Pupils are polite and well mannered. Relationships between staff and pupils are strong. When bullying or incidents of inappropriate behaviour happen, leaders take swift and appropriate action. Pupils talk with enthusiasm about the wide range of instruments they learn to play, including the cello, flute and keyboard. Staff set a positive role model through the staff choir, performing for pupils and the local community. Pupils learn about fundamental British values and different religions. They fully respect and understand that others' views may be different from their own.

What the school should improve

• Not all staff have the subject-specific knowledge they need to deliver the curriculum in a small number of foundation subjects as intended. As a result, these subjects are not consistently taught as well as they could be. Leaders should ensure that staff develop the expertise they need to teach all subjects equally well.

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