Our Curriculum

Curriculum Enrichment

"The curriculum is a significant strength. The school gives plenty of attention to basic skills but also provides pupils with a rich range of subjects and activities. Subjects are often knitted together in themes and enhanced by trips to places of interest, special events or visitors to school. French, science and music stand put as notable strengths, with some high-quality learning experiences in these subjects. In addition, pupils develop a range of worthwhile skills while working in the nearby forest school area. Futthermore, pupils are able to attend a mixture of different clubs and regularly get involved in local events." Ofsted 2017

At St Mary's emphasis is placed on the use of local cultural and environmental resources and settings.  Frequent use is made of the wide range of opportunities within walking distance of our school including farms, woods, streams and historic buildings to bring alive the history of the Marches.

We have access to a local woodland setting where Forest School sessions are held regularly for all pupils.  Forest School aims to develop an understanding of the natural environment, raise self esteem, confidence and improve social skills.  Children learn  about eco-systems, sustainability, conservation, water management, farming and woodland managemen.  In our school garden children grow their own plants and vegetables which they can then cook and eat!  Raised beds, a chicken ark and a greenhouse have been added to the garden area.

Local specialistss in music, sport, art and drama support the class teachers to ensure a high standard of teaching and learning.

The Pupil Premium is a fund which is outside the main funding formula. Schools receive Pupil Premium funding for:

• children who are eligible for free school meals(FSM)
• children who have been eligible for FSM at any point in the last 6 Years
• children who have been looked after continuously for more than six months by someone other than their family.

The government has provided this funding to help raise attainment for these children.  National data shows that children who have been eligible for FSM at any point in time have sadly lower educational attainment than those who have never been eligible for FSM.  Schools decide how the Pupil Premium is spent, but the funding should be to support those children.

At St Mary's our pupil premium is used to support a range of targeted interventions both inside and outside of the classroom.  This allows all pupils with specific difficulties to move forward.  To facilitate this, the school has TA coverage equivalent  to 3.2 full time Teaching Assistants in September 2022. Lead Teachers, meet weekly and pupils progress and the targeting of support is discussed. Pupils are tested and a strategy of support and intervention is put into place. Parents are kept fully informed throughout the process and are informed as to how they can help their child. We also provide funding to enable all children to participate in swimming and school trips to further enrich the child's whole cognitive development, wellbeing and education experiences.

Specific funds to provide support for disadvantaged pupils and for those who have special educational needs or disabilities are put to good use, with spending tailored to individuals needs”  Ofsted April 2017.                      

Our SENCO (Peter Kyles)/intervention team have provided a wide range of additional support, where children require specific provision in order to achieve their potential. All TAs are involved in Targeted Intervention each afternoon except for Fridays. Regular meetings occur between those on the SEND register and parents. This ensures all can monitor pupil progress. The SEND register is reviewed half termly. Pupil Premium is also used to support inclusion in families who are suffering financial hardships.

In 2018 - 2019 £20,100

In 2019-2020 £15,460

In 2020-2021 £17,450

in 2021-2022 £13,725

in 2022-2023 £15,683

Current Teaching Assistant Costs are in excess of £38,000

"As noted in the previous inspection report, pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities get bespoke support which helps them to move on in their learning. In several instances, pupils who have struggled with aspects of school life elsewhere have moved to St Mary’s and responded positively to the guidance, care and support provided."OFSTED April 2017

Impact of Intervention

2022 SATs Assessment Analysis 

At KS1 50% of pupils premium pupils achieved the expected standard in Reading, Writing & Mathematics. 100% in Mathematics

At KS2 there were no pupil premium pupils in the cohort.

2022-2023 Strategies

There are currently 17 (22.6%) pupils receiving Pupil Premium of which 12 receive FSM.  To insure pupils achieve their potential the school has implemented a number of strategies.

• To continue to keep class sizes small.
• Maintain TA time to FT 3.2. This will allow pupils with needs to experience targeted interventions both inside and outside of the classroom. Pupil Premium pays for approximately 35 Hours per week while the school provides 85.5 hour per week. This will be maintained throughout 2020/2.
• Targeted interventions using tried and tested scheme that include Word Wassp, Power of Two, Nelson handwriting and money awareness and focused reading comprehension.
• Inclusion so that financial deprivation does not impact on pupil enrichment and learning. This currently includes piano lessons, swimming lessons, day and residential trips.
• CPD initiatives aiming to address existing difficulties, attachment and pupil well-being issues.

Assessment and targeted intervention occur termly and interventions effectiveness are reviewed.