School needs to stretch its more able students

Ofsted visited St Mary’s Academy in Stotfold at the beginning of March. They graded it as ‘requires improvement.’

The report says: “Pupils, especially those from advantaged starting points, do not make the progress they could. As a result achievement requires improvement. By the time they leave more able pupils do not make the progress they could, particularly in writing.”

Pupils’ work is not marked well enough and leaders do not have a clear view of how well pupils are progressing and how this could be improved.

However, “more pupils than is typical make good progress in mathematics.

“Pupils in Reception make good progress in their understanding of number and develop mature social and emotional skills.”

Additionally “the school promotes pupils’ confidence and they are happy to come to school because they trust the adults to help them.”

Pupils’ behaviour and safety was graded as ‘good.’

To improve teachers should plan more challenging activities and leaders should monitor pupils’ progress more robustly.”