St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hatfield Broad Oak

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 February 2026

Pupils enjoy their learning. They benefit from a curriculum that is carefully designed to help them progress well and with confidence. From the start of their journey, they are taught through rich early learning experiences with a sharp focus on communication and language. As they move through the school, teachers prioritise skills in reading, writing and mathematics. This is complemented by wider curriculum activities that further enrich pupils’ learning. Pupils feel they belong here. They talk warmly about the relationships they have with teachers and friends. They say that they feel known and valued as individuals. Mixed-age playtimes and lunchtime routines help pupils form secure friendships across the school. There are plenty of opportunities to take on leadership roles such as play leaders, house captains and members of the school council. These roles help pupils develop responsibility, teamwork and confidence. All pupils are fully included in school life through carefully tailored support and routines. They also enjoy a wide range of enrichment opportunities, such as forest school, sports events, music lessons, clubs and memorable educational visits. These broaden their horizons and help bring learning to life. Pupils thrive because they feel safe, supported and respected. Behaviour across the school is calm and positive. Pupils say bullying does not happen here. They learn how to keep themselves safe, especially online, and they know there are trusted adults they can talk with. Although attendance rates can fluctuate due to the small size of the school, leaders work closely with families to help pupils attend regularly. Through leadership roles and positive links with the community, pupils develop confidence, empathy and a sense of responsibility. These skills prepare them well for life beyond primary school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to drive improvements in pupils’ attendance so that overall attendance rises above national averages for all pupils. • Leaders should ensure that the personal, social and health education curriculum provides greater depth so that pupils can understand key themes securely and make meaningful connections to the world around them. • Leaders should ensure that assessment is used more effectively to identify gaps in learning and to inform teaching across the curriculum.

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