St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Hawkshaw

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 November 2024

There is a real togetherness that runs through St Mary's Church of England Primary School. The school's vision and values of love, joy, hope, friendship, trust and faith underpin much of the work that takes place. Staff have an unwavering commitment to ensure that all pupils, of all backgrounds, succeed both socially and academically. The school sets high expectations for pupils' achievement, including for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). However, the quality of some of the curriculum in the early years is variable. Pupils respond positively to their work and most achieve well in a range of subjects. Pupils are respectful, well-mannered, polite and courteous. They behave well in lessons and around school. Pupils and their parents highly recommend this school. Pupils receive high-quality care which makes them feel very secure. They benefit from the fact that adults know them very well. If pupils have any worries, there are many adults who they go to for support. Pupils are extremely positive about their experiences at the school. Pupils appreciate the many opportunities that the school provides for them. These include the talent show and a variety of responsible roles that they take up. These experiences help pupils to develop their talents and interests. Pupils enjoy the school's well-considered trips that enrich the curriculum, such as visits to museums and the local theatre.

What the school should improve

• The school has not ensured that some staff have received the necessary training to deliver effective support for pupils who are still learning to read. This hinders the progress that some pupils make when learning to read. The school should ensure that staff have the phonics training they need so that they can support all pupils in developing their ability to read fluently.
• The school has not established the essential knowledge and vocabulary that it expects pupils to know in some subjects. This means that pupils do not have secure knowledge on which to build as they progress through the school's curriculum. The school should ensure that the content of its subject curriculums is consistently well ordered and that the key knowledge is clearly identified and taught.
• The curriculum in early years does not clearly identify the precise knowledge and skills children require. This means that the school does not build on children's prior knowledge over time effectively, and the activities provided do not always align well with their learning needs or support progression. The school should identify the important knowledge it wants children to learn in the early years and ensure it is planned and delivered in a clear, logical order.

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