St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Edwinstowe has been graded good in all areas by Ofsted during their latest inspection.
The report says St Mary’s children are ‘…enthusiastic learners who are motivated and achieve well. Their positive attitudes to learning are reflected in their good behaviour in lessons and around school.’
Parents and carers told inspectors that they, ‘appreciate the strong sense of community’ in this small, vibrant school. Many also praise the school’s ‘caring and respectful culture’, which they say enables their children to ‘thrive’.’
Headteacher at St Mary’s C of E Primary School is Jennie Bailey, who said, “We are delighted to share the fantastic news that our school has received a positive Ofsted report. The report is a great reflection of the nurturing, supportive and enthusiastic learning environment our children receive daily. Children are at the heart of every decision we make at St Mary’s, and we are looking forward to continuing to inspire children to be the best they can be. We are committed to ensuring that all children at St Mary’s enjoy and cherish the time they spend with us, looking back with fond memories.”
‘Pupils benefit from the school’s idyllic location…’
The report highlights the outstanding environment the school has to offer, saying, ‘Pupils benefit from the school’s idyllic location on the edge of Sherwood Forest. The outdoor areas have been purposefully designed to make the most of the natural environment. This aspect of the school’s provision supports pupils’ physical and mental health and well-being very well.’
Children get a strong start at St Mary’s and the early years provision is reported to be a ‘key strength’ of the school. Reading is a priority in all year groups, and children are encouraged to develop a love of reading and books.
The school’s curriculum, said inspectors, is ‘…carefully designed to promote children’s development across all areas of learning. Staff work as an effective team; they skilfully prioritise children’s language skills and their personal development.’
The report says ‘The school promotes pupils’ broader personal development well. There are a range of popular extra-curricular and other enrichment opportunities that nurture pupils’ talents and interests. Pupils have a mature understanding of the importance of respect and equality. They are well prepared as young citizens.’
Headteacher Jennie says children took the inspection in their stride. “St Mary’s children were fantastic ambassadors during the inspection, and their families should be so proud of them. I want to say a huge thank you to our hardworking staff and to our supportive school community, who by working in partnership with staff are ensuring the very best education and opportunities are available for our children.”
Safeguarding and school Governance were each found to be effective said the report states that, ‘Staff praise the new leadership and the consideration shown for their workload and well-being.’