St Matthew's Church of England Primary School, Ipswich

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 October 2023

Pupils are exceptionally well cared for at this school. Pupils' well-being is an integral part of the school's strong values. Pupils say everyone is kind and staff help them with their work. Pupils enjoy learning. They are determined to achieve their best. Many pupils make strong progress from their starting points. Children make an outstanding start to their education in early years. They settle quickly into class routines and make exceptionally strong progress from the start. Pupils' behaviour is good in class and around the school. Pupils know and follow the school's behaviour approach. The school is a calm and purposeful place for learning. Pupils have lots of friends at school. Pupils from many different cultural and faith backgrounds get on well together. If someone is unkind, staff rapidly sort this out. Pupils are confident to talk to staff if they are anxious or worried about anything. Pupils enjoy a range of sports and other clubs. There are many curriculum-linked visits and visitors. These enrich pupils' learning and promote their personal development effectively. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school. One parent sums up the views of many: 'My children love this school and are thriving here.'

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, the school has not fully considered all the specific learning requirements. It has not sequenced the important knowledge and skills that pupils need to gain proficiently, which means pupils do not make the progress they are capable of in these subjects. The school should review its curriculum plans in these subjects and ensure that all important knowledge is precisely identified and carefully sequenced, so that pupils build on their prior learning and make strong progress across the curriculum.

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