St Mary's VA CofE Lower School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 March 2026

This is a happy, caring school, where pupils' wellbeing is a top priority. Pupils know school is a safe place, where staff look after them, sort out their worries and make learning fun. As a result, attendance at the school is high. Pupils are eager to learn. Those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and other additional needs receive highly effective support that helps them overcome barriers to learning. For example, additional, targeted sessions in mathematics, reading, speaking and listening happen first thing each day, preparing pupils for the lessons that will follow. In the early years, children make a great start to their school journey. They learn and play in stimulating environments. Clear routines and warm relationships with staff enable them to settle quickly. Throughout the school, established habits and high expectations support pupils to behave beautifully. Staff and older pupils act as role models. Well-understood school values underpin a respectful, caring culture. Pupils are adamant there are no bullying behaviours. They are confident staff will help them resolve any friendship issues. Wider opportunities, including leadership roles for pupils of all ages, develop pupils' readiness for life outside St Mary's. Values ambassadors spot and reward pupils who demonstrate the values, and eco-warriors encourage the reduction of waste and care for the environment. Voting for the school council and regular 'pupil voice' surveys teach pupils about democracy and fairness. Pupils develop high levels of confidence, independence and resilience. This includes the youngest children in the Nursery and Reception Years. Overall, pupils achieve very well. They progress suitably through the curriculum, matching or exceeding national average outcomes in tests such as the phonics screening check and the multiplication tables check. In the early years, children achieve highly. They are eminently well prepared for Year 1 by the end of the Reception Year.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure consistently high-quality teaching is embedded across all subjects and year groups, including effective use of questioning to check pupils’ understanding and provide further challenge.
• Leaders should continue to embed the new curriculum for English so that standards of attainment improve, particularly in pupils’ foundational knowledge and skills for writing, for example spelling, punctuation and grammar.

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