School Self-Evaluation Overview

1.Blandford St Mary Primary School is at least a good school with outstanding features.
2.The leadership of the headteacher, staff team and governors is effective. The staff work well as a team and share the head’s vision for the school. All staff and governors have direct involvement and ownership of the school development process through an innovative use of technology. The school is popular and the number of pupils on roll is steadily rising. The headteacher has managed staff changes well and has ensured that staff have developed their leadership and management skills. Subsequently there is a real commitment to continued development to further raise standards in the school.
3.A recent SIAS inspection of the school has judged the school as Outstanding in all areas

1.Recently judged to be Outstanding by Salisbury Diocese SIAS Inspection (December 2012 - report on website)
2.Blandford St Mary Primary School holds a Level 1 RRS Award
3.School runs a curriculum that gives opportunities for global, local and national learning
4.Pastoral Support Team facilitates outstanding pastoral support for all the school community
5.In the face of reduced support from the Diocese, school provides ‘outstanding’ spiritual learning opportunities            

1.Overwhelming majority of children behave impeccably around school and community
2.Safeguarding practice is innovative, forward thinking and recognized as outstanding by LA
3.Any behavioral issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently
4.Attendance moved from ‘satisfactory to ‘above average’ over the last 3 years

1.Achievement is at least good
2.Teaching and learning is at least good
3.Behavior and safety is at least good
4.School used as exemplar in: curriculum, AfL, transition between First & Primary School, use of technology
5.Governors “a strength of the school”        
6.SENDCo an exemplar of practice and role-development
7.Recent SIAS inspection judged leadership to be Outstanding in all areas.

1.Overwhelming majority of teaching and learning is good or better
2.Overwhelming majority of children make at least good progress during lessons
3.Curriculum recognised as innovative and ‘outstanding’ during previous inspection

1.Taking account of their different starting points, the proportions of pupils making and exceeding expected progress are high compared with national figures.
2.Pupils make rapid and sustained progress throughout year groups across many subjects, including English and mathematics, and learn exceptionally well.
3.Pupils develop and apply a wide range of skills to great effect, in reading, writing, communication and mathematics. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their education, training or employment
4.Those in the Early Years Foundation Stage, acquire knowledge quickly and develop their understanding rapidly in a wide range of different subjects across the curriculum.