Stratford St Mary Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 November 2023

Pupils enjoy attending this friendly, community school. From Reception, they benefit from an interesting and engaging curriculum. Pupils are challenged by the adults to think deeply about important content. Pupils speak animatedly about the topics they have been taught, such as Ancient Egypt. They confidently share their own opinions as well as other people's viewpoints. Pupils thrive in a warm and welcoming environment. Older pupils get along very well with the younger pupils. They like the responsibility they have for helping them. Pupils are happy and well cared for. They have excellent relationships with the adults. They enjoy helping each other. For example, younger children tie each other's aprons before painting or playing in the water trough. Throughout the school, pupils behave well. They listen to the instructions that adults give them, and they follow the school rules. The environment is calm. Pupils eat lunch sensibly together and enjoy playtime and lunchtime clubs. Netball is very popular. Pupils like being part of a small school where everyone gets along well. There are good levels of understanding and respect for differences. Older pupils like the formal opportunities they are given to help others, for example as friendship ambassadors.

What the school should improve

• A small minority of subject curriculum plans do not clearly distinguish what pupils of different ages should be able to do when they are taught in mixed-age classes. This means that older pupils are not consistently being given enough opportunities to build on the additional skills and knowledge that they have. School leaders need to ensure that curriculum plans identify where older pupils can use their prior learning to further increase their knowledge and deepen their understanding.

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