St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 January 2025

Pupils benefit from positive relationships at this community focused school. However, the overall quality of education has weakened since the previous inspection. The school is aware that, until recently, expectations of what pupils could achieve were too low. Although there are some recent improvements, pupils' learning is variable because expectations of them and the teaching of the curriculum remain inconsistent. The needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not met consistently. As a result, pupils, including those with SEND, do not achieve as well as they should. Pupils behave and attend well. The school is typically calm and purposeful. Staff establish positive and trusted relationships. Pupils take on responsibilities with commitment and care. Bullying is exceptionally rare. However, pupils' attitudes to learning could be better. Expectations of what pupils should do for themselves can be low and their interest in learning is not captured consistently. Pupils are happy. They contribute to a strong community ethos by looking out for each other. Older pupils act as positive role models. Pupils are well cared for. They make an active contribution to their school and wider communities. For example, older pupils raise money for charities by leading creative events.

What the school should improve

• The implementation of the curriculum is too variable in quality and not enough is expected of pupils. This means that pupils do not learn the curriculum as well as they should. The trust should raise expectations further and secure greater consistency in the implementation of the curriculum so that pupils achieve more.
• The provision for pupils with SEND is not secure. Staff lack the knowledge they need to understand the best ways to teach pupils with differing needs. Similarly, the systems for ensuring staff support pupils with SEND are not used consistently. As a result, pupils with SEND have variable experiences and do not learn as well as they could. The trust should ensure staff understand how to make appropriate adaptions when teaching pupils with SEND and apply these consistently.
• The school has not successfully secured the confidence of some members of its community. Some staff do not understand why changes are needed in the school and so the implementation of the school's actions to improve remain variable. The school should improve how it engages and communicates with all members of the community so there is greater clarity about the changes being implemented and why.

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