The Holbeach St Mark's Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 June 2025

This small, rural school fosters a strong sense of community. Pupils value the close-knit environment and enjoy knowing their peers and the staff. This helps them to feel safe and happy. Parents and carers speak positively about the school's nurturing ethos. They are confident that their children are known, supported and well cared for. During social times, pupils play together happily and make good use of the well- considered outdoor spaces. In lessons, they follow routines well. However, pupils do not become independent learners because they are over-reliant on adults in lessons. As a result, sometimes they struggle to take the lead on tasks or apply what they already know with confidence. The school has high aspirations for its pupils. However, its expectations for the curriculum, behaviour and the early years provision are not realised fully. This is because the school's vision and aims are not implemented consistently by all staff. Pupils value the opportunities to take part in clubs and educational visits. Key stage 2 pupils are looking forward to their upcoming residential trip to Norfolk. Pupils appreciate the awards they receive in assemblies. These are linked to the school's values and help to promote a culture of recognition and achievement.

What the school should improve

• The school's renewed approaches to the curriculum and the early years are not embedded fully. As a result, its aspirations for pupils are not fully realised. The school should ensure that its expectations for the curriculum and the early years are firmly established and applied consistently across the school.
• Sometimes, the activities that pupils complete, especially as part of the reading curriculum at key stage 2, are not matched well to their needs. This impacts the weakest readers in particular, who are less able to access some learning as a result. The school must ensure that the tasks pupils complete are aligned closely to their stage of development. It should ensure that all pupils read with increasing fluency, comprehension and independence.
• Staff do not use assessment consistently enough to adapt the curriculum or resolve pupils' misconceptions. This can lead to pupils, including pupils with SEND, having gaps in their understanding and this slows their progression through the curriculum. The school should ensure that staff make effective use of assessment to support pupils' learning and respond to pupils' needs as they arise.
• Staff, including in early years, do not support pupils routinely to develop effective habits and attitudes that prepare them for future learning. This hinders pupils from becoming independent learners. The school should ensure that staff actively promote positive learning behaviours and implement strategies consistently that encourage pupils to become independent and take ownership of their learning.

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