St Mary's CofE Primary School Moston

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 June 2025

Pupils come into this school each morning smiling. Community lies at the heart of the school's values. Pupils feel happy and loved due to the compassion and consideration that staff show them. A nurturing and caring atmosphere permeates through the school. The school has high expectations for pupils' achievement, both academically and in their wider lives. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils achieve well at St Mary's. From early years to Year 6, pupils are courteous, well-mannered and eager to engage in conversation. They are confident citizens. Pupils stated enthusiastically that this is a school where everyone is welcome and differences are celebrated. Pupils are very proud of their school. They talked excitedly about an arts education project and the authors that they have met. These experiences help to enrich pupils' learning. Pupils proudly described the ways in which they contribute to school life, such as being school councillors, 'urban crew' and sports leaders. Pupils appreciate the range of trips and visits they are offered. For example, to the safari park, the farm and a residential to an outdoor activity centre. These activities help to broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, the curriculum is not clearly sequenced. In these subjects, pupils do not consistently build on their prior learning to develop a secure understanding over time. The school should ensure and check that the curriculum is well-sequenced and progressive to enable pupils to know more and remember more over time.
• A minority of staff are unclear about how to deliver aspects of the subject curriculums and choose the most beneficial activities and explanations. Occasionally, this hinders how well some pupils learn new knowledge in these subjects. The school should ensure that staff receive the support that they require to deliver subject curriculums consistently well.
• In a few subjects, systems for checking what pupils know need further development. Assessment information is not consistently used to identify where pupils' gaps are in their understanding and to inform future teaching. The school should refine its methods for checking what pupils, including those with SEND, remember over time, to ensure that any gaps in learning are identified and addressed.

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