Shropshire primary school has turned itself around
A primary school has turned its fortunes around and is now performing well, Ofsted has ruled.
St Mary's Primary School in Shawbury has received a "good" rating in all areas covered by a recent Ofsted inspection. It had been told a year previously that it required improvement.
The news has been greeted with delight by leaders at the school, who said a lot of hard work had gone into raising standards.
On their most recent visit, inspectors spent time observing teaching and learning in all classrooms and met with leaders, staff and governors, as well as speaking to parents and children about their experience at St Mary's.
Inspectors praised staff and governors for improvements made to the school. They also recognised pupils' good behaviour.
In their report, they said: "The school provides a broad and interesting curriculum that promotes achievement for pupils, and all staff have high expectations of what pupils can achieve.
"Pupils are taught to understand the links between hard work, perseverance and success.
"The teachers share their good subject knowledge with the pupils and have developed effective relationships with the pupils.
"Parents say how pleased they are with their children's progress and the stimulating curriculum which fires pupils' enthusiasm.
"A rich variety of after-school clubs and frequent educational visits enrich learning.
"There are good opportunities for pupils to maintain good physical fitness through many sporting activities and after school clubs."
They want them to make sure teachers follow the school policy in consistently providing pupils with feedback in their books that gives them clear guidance on how they can improve.
Headteacher Mark Davies said: "We are really pleased with a judgement of 'good' in all four categories including outcomes for all pupils, behaviour, teaching, learning and assessment as well as the leadership and governance of the school.
"We have also benefited from the support of the local authority and colleagues locally for which we are grateful."
Lara Chaplin, chairman of governors, said: "With the strong leadership of the headteacher and the senior management team, staff have worked extremely hard to bring about many improvements since the last inspection.
"The commitment, support and positive culture that exists between staff, pupils and parents/carers on a daily basis, is a consistent feature of our school."
Read the full Ofsted report here
