St Mary's, Prittlewell, CofE Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 April 2025

Pupils enjoy school. They are enthusiastic about the curriculum they learn and the wide opportunities on offer. Pupils work in a happy, friendly school where everyone's uniqueness is celebrated and accepted. Relationships are very trusting, positive and warm. The school has high expectations of pupils' behaviour and learning. Pupils know the importance of being ready, respectful and safe. They understand the rules and follow them. Pupils try hard in their work. They behave well and respect others. Ambition, belonging, courage and discovery are the centre of school life. Pupils value the caring and cohesive community that staff create. Pupils learn to help one another. The school has made necessary changes to the curriculum. As a result, pupils are achieving better than is reflected in the school's published results. Pupils trust adults to keep them safe and help with any worries or problems that may occur. Pupils make strong friendships and say that the school is a kind and friendly place. Pupils love the wide range of opportunities that enable them to develop personally. They take pride in the responsibilities they hold, such as eco warrior and pupil governor. These roles enable pupils to make a difference to their community.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, staff do not always check whether pupils have remembered key knowledge. When this happens, pupils develop gaps in their understanding. The school must ensure that staff consistently check for gaps in pupils' knowledge and address them through teaching.
• For a few pupils, the support that is in place to help them keep up with reading expectations is not consistently implemented. As a result, these pupils do not make the progress leaders expect. The school should ensure that additional support for pupils who need to keep up with reading is consistently effective.
• On occasion, staff do not use the outdoor learning area well enough to help children learn the content of the early years curriculum. Children sometimes do not practise or build on what they have learned in the classroom in some areas of learning. The school should ensure that staff use the outdoor area effectively so that children can practise and build on their learning across all areas of the early years curriculum.

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