St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Pupils are happy and enjoy attending school. They told inspectors that it is like being part of one big family where everyone is welcome. Pupils typically behave well. This helps to create a calm and orderly learning environment. Most pupils follow the school’s ‘golden rules’. Relationships between staff and pupils are positive. Pupils are confident that staff are there to listen. Pupils believe that their school is a safe place. Pupils’ personal development is fostered well. Many pupils take on board pupil leadership responsibilities such as reading buddies or being part of the group known as ‘the planeteers’. Pupils make a difference in the school and local community through litterpicking events and donating to the local food bank appeal. One of the school council’s most recent achievements is the design of a new school uniform, which pupils wear with pride. In contrast, the school’s expectations for pupils’ achievement are low. Its efforts to improve the curriculum have lacked sufficient urgency. Pupils’ strong attainment in reading, writing and mathematics in the 2023 data is in stark contrast to the current picture of pupils’ learning in the school. In different year groups and across different subjects, pupils are underachieving. This includes children in the early years, who are not well prepared for their next steps.