St Mary’s in Derby graded ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features by Ofsted

St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby has been graded ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features by Ofsted.

Behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision at the school were all graded ‘Outstanding’ and the quality of education was graded ‘Good’.

The report said that the school’s mission is to unlock all pupils’ potential by “sharing God’s love and making a difference”. Inspectors reported that pupils are keen to play a positive role in their community and make a difference to themselves and others.

Pupils were praised throughout the report and inspectors said they lived up to teachers’ high expectations.

Inspectors said: “Pupils show kindness and respect to each other. Pupils’ behaviour and conduct is exemplary. In lessons they learn without distraction. They have confidence that teachers will keep them safe.”

The report said that following the fire, which destroyed the school building in 2020, leaders have expertly managed the school during an unprecedented period of challenge and despite tremendous difficulty, they have kept the school community together.

Inspectors said: “The library was destroyed in the school fire. All books were lost. Staff have been unwavering in their determination to ‘get books back in the hands of pupils’.”

Pupils’ behaviour was described as “exemplary” in the report and they have “excellent attitudes to learning.”

“Leaders have worked hard to make sure that pupils, particularly pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, receive the expert support that they need. Pupils with SEND achieve well in school.

“Pupils benefit from a thoughtfully planned and structured personal social and health education (PSHE) curriculum. The school promotes equality of opportunity and diversity effectively. The teaching of protected characteristics is a strength. There is celebration of the Catholic faith but also the culture and faith of others. This meets leaders’ ambition of ‘building mutual respect and tolerance’.”

It was noted that the curriculum is expertly planned. Pupils’ learning is carefully built upon what they know and understand and they often acquire new knowledge that they confidently understand.

“Teachers have good subject knowledge. They use assessment skilfully to check pupils’ understanding. The teaching of reading is a priority. There is a well-planned and sequenced phonics programme in place. Teachers quickly identify pupils who need extra help,” inspectors said.

Children in the early years have an outstanding start, according to the report.

It said: “They receive an ambitious curriculum taught by knowledgeable specialists. Children are completely engrossed in their learning. They understand routines well. They learn to be independent. Children are very well prepared for Year One.”

Ofsted said that staff at the school, which is part of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, have worked together as a strong team.

“They feel appreciated and supported. They are rightly proud of their achievements. They are proud to work at the school,” inspectors said.

St Mary’s ‘SPIRIT’ was also praised in the report along with pupils’ charity work. Inspectors said: “Countless activities take place to raise funds for local and national charities.

“Pupils describe St Mary’s as a family. Pupils from all faiths, families and cultures are welcome and celebrated. Leaders provide rich and meaningful ways to develop pupils’ personal development and character. St Mary’s ‘SPIRIT’ is central to this. Equality ambassadors promote fairness. The ‘circle of friends’ helps their peers to make and then sustain friendships.”

Arrangements for safeguarding at the school are effective and the positive relationships between staff, families and carers were highlighted.

Inspectors said: “Staff know children and their families and carers extremely well. The family liaison officer works tirelessly to ensure that positive relationships are built. Her work is helping to ensure that the most vulnerable pupils are in school, are safe and are learning. Staff are well trained. They know the actions needed to support the most vulnerable pupils. They are vigilant. They tenaciously ensure that pupils are safe within the temporary school.”

Amanda Greaves, Executive Headteacher, said: “We are delighted with the judgements made about key aspects of our school. Despite a challenging few years with the pandemic and the fire, the team has continued to ensure our pupils receive the best Catholic education possible. We have relentlessly strived to ensure the St Mary’s curriculum is tailored for our pupils, which was acknowledged in the report as being expertly planned, and this now needs to be embedded ‘securely and consistently’.

“We will take on board this area for improvement ensuring the curriculum is fully accessible for every learner in our thriving school. I am so incredibly proud of the school team and this achievement in the most challenging of circumstances, their dedication to our children and wider community shone through the report. Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our parents for supporting us on this journey and hope they too feel a sense of pride in their school and this wonderful achievement.”

Emma Farmer, Chair of Governors, said: “As a governing board, we are thrilled with the judgement that has been awarded and we would like to warmly congratulate and thank all those involved.  It is richly deserved and is evidence of the enormous, ongoing commitment of all staff and pupils in our school community.  Their drive in the most unique and challenging of circumstances has been phenomenal.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Mrs Greaves, Mrs Novak-Lemmings and their brilliant team for their continuing hard work and professionalism.  It is testament to their ongoing dedication that our pupils are able to enjoy the very best school experience where ‘pupils from all faiths, families and cultures are welcome’ and where all our children can truly thrive.  It is wonderful to be a part of a school community of which we can feel so proud.”

Kevin Gritton, Chief Executive Officer of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said: “It is testament to the drive and determination of Mrs Greaves and her team, to continue to provide the best education for all of the children, that has led to such a glowing Ofsted report.

“I was proud to hear inspectors talk about the ambition for all of the pupils and all of the disruption never being used as an excuse to offer anything other than the best education possible for our children. We can now look to an exciting future in a biophilic building and children continuing to receive a first rate education.”

St Mary’s is currently based at St James House, in Mansfield Road, Derby, and is expected to move to a new, innovative environmentally friendly school building in Broadway at the end of 2023.