St Mary's Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 May 2026

Pupils at St Mary’s flourish in a calm, confident and forward looking school, where every child is celebrated and supported. They achieve highly and with real pride because they follow a curriculum that prepares them confidently for their next steps. Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs and/or disabilities, make impressive progress from their starting points. Pupils build secure knowledge, produce high-quality work and achieve outcomes above national averages. Pupils feel a deep sense of belonging. They are included in all aspects of school life, forming warm, respectful relationships with staff and peers. Thoughtful adjustments, inclusive routines and carefully designed support ensure every pupil participates fully and confidently. Broader experiences, such as visits to war memorials and conversations with faith leaders, extend learning beyond the academic and help pupils grow socially, emotionally and creatively. Because pupils feel valued and supported, they thrive. Behaviour is consistently positive and classrooms are calm and purposeful. Pupils show empathy, integrity and pride in their work. Bullying is extremely rare and dealt with swiftly and effectively. Pupils attend well because they enjoy school, feel safe and want to learn. Leaders work closely with families to maintain this positive sense of belonging. Leaders place pupils at the heart of every decision. They ensure that actions are rooted in what will make the biggest difference to pupils’ long term success. Leaders' thoughtful, proactive approach creates stability, clarity and high expectations across the school. Staff feel supported, pupils feel secure and parents and carers speak positively about the improvements they see day to day. Governance is purposeful and effective. Professional learning helps staff grow in confidence and expertise. Personal development is high quality and deeply embedded. Pupils learn about diversity, healthy relationships, fundamental British values and staying safe online. Through rich experiences and thoughtful leadership, pupils leave St Mary’s confident, well prepared and excited for the future.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that staff consistently use checks on learning to spot mistakes and misconceptions so pupils can correct errors quickly.
• Leaders should strive to ensure that pupils sustain the highest possible rates of attendance over time.

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