St Mary's School children charm Ofsted inspector (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

St Mary's School children charm Ofsted inspector

10:17am Thursday 17th January 2008

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ST Mary's School in Bridport has charming children, good teaching, rising standards and is a caring community.

Headteacher Kay Rawling said: "We are delighted with the report. I am very proud of the effort that everybody puts into our school. Children, staff, parents and governors work well as a team and we will now ensure that our good progress continues to raise standards in all areas of the curriculum."

Ofsted inspector Mark Lindfield judged the school to be good and improving and was impressed with new head Kay Rawling's achievements in creating a strong and supportive team around her.

He also praised the way pupils who enter the school with well below average attainment reach national average standards by the time they leave.

He said: "Given the low starting points and the learning needs of many pupils on arrival, pupils make good progress, by the time they leave Year 6, most have reached national average standards.

"Standards have risen across the school over the last two years, The school is well aware of its strengths and weaknesses and has managed to raise standards through the effective actions of the school's leadership team."

What was of concern, he said, was the number of unauthorised absences.

"Despite recent improvements, the level of attendances is still too low," he said. "Most pupils have positive attitudes to learning but the progress of a small minority is hampered by their poor attendance.

"The school is beginning to tackle this issue and there are early indications that the average attendance rates are rising."

He also said some of the more able pupils are often not clear what they need to do to produce their best work.

But he was very impressed by the behaviour of pupils, and the way parents appreciate the care of the teaching staff, the well-supported after-school clubs, the way pupils are encouraged to be independent and in particular the school's emphasis on the expressive arts.

He added: "Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. They treat one another with care and respect and their awareness of other cultures and societies is greatly enhanced by the school's UNESCO designation.

"Pupils enjoy opportunities to contribute to the life of the school and the wider community."

Staff and children at St Mary's CE VC Primary school in Bridport are celebrating after receiving a good Ofsted report. HMI Inspectors praised the good manners and politeness of the children, describing them as absolutely charming'!

The Inspectors found that parents are positive about the education their children receive and feel that the teaching staff care enormously and work as a team in all aspects of school life. There are positive relationships between staff and pupils with teaching assistants providing strong support.' The behaviour of the pupils was found to be good and they are prepared to do their best in lessons. They also make a good contribution to their community and the life of their school and are well prepared for their future adult life. Staff work closely and share good practice with each other and consequently the quality of teaching and learning is good and pupils make good progress across the school.

St Mary's has continued to build upon its strong expressive arts provision with dance, drama and music making a significant contribution to the identity of the school. Lessons are adapted to meet the particular needs of individual pupils. The Inspectors found that pupils clearly enjoy lessons and the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.

Inspectors feel that the school now needs to improve attendance levels so that more children can fully benefit from the good teaching and learning that is going on in school.

"This is a good and improving school, the newly appointed headteacher is successfully building upon the work of her predecessor.' Lead HMI Inspector Mark Lindfield reported that the school has a capable headteacher who has created a strong and united team with a common sense of purpose. She has a clear focus on raising standards and achievement which is already reaping rewards.' Governors display an impressive understanding of the school and are kept well informed."

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