St Mary's Church of England VA Primary School, Welham Green

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 March 2025

Pupils enjoy coming to school and there are high expectations of behaviour. Children in the early years quickly develop a strong understanding of what is expected of them. Pupils say they are happy that behaviour has improved, and learning is rarely interrupted. Nevertheless, pupils are absent too often, meaning they miss much of their learning. Recent developments to the curriculum have ensured the school is more focused on what it wants pupils to know. There are high expectations for what pupils can achieve. However, these changes are recent, meaning some pupils have fallen behind. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not receive the most appropriate support. This means that, on occasions, learning is too difficult for them, and they do not achieve as well as they could. The school has developed a wide range of opportunities to develop pupils' understanding of life beyond St Mary's. Pupils, parents and carers are positive about this. Activities such as 'arts afternoon' and the 'mini police' visit help to enrich the curriculum. Pupils show respect for different cultures and religions. They trust adults to help them if they have any concerns.

What the school should improve

• The school does not ensure that pupils with SEND have appropriate adaptations to help them access the curriculum. This means that some pupils with SEND find lessons too difficult and are unable to learn as well as they could. The school should ensure that learning is appropriately adapted for all pupils with SEND.
• The school does not check pupils' understanding effectively. This means that pupils do not secure important knowledge and often have gaps in learning. The school should ensure that it uses appropriate approaches to checking pupils' knowledge so they secure the important knowledge they need.
• Pupils do not attend school as regularly as they should, and too many pupils are persistently absent. These pupils miss valuable learning and, as a result, have gaps in their knowledge. Leaders should develop systems that lead to swift action when pupils are absent, supporting them to attend school more regularly.
• The school has not outlined what pupils should know by the end of Reception. This means that children are not being fully prepared for the next stage in their education. The school should review the curriculum for early years to ensure children have the important knowledge they need to begin Year 1 successfully.

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