School Improvement Plan

At St Mary’s, we are committed to continually developing and improving our school so that every child has the opportunity to learn, flourish and shine.

Our School Improvement Plan identifies the key priorities that will guide our work during the 2026–2027 academic year. These priorities are informed by careful evaluation of our pupils’ outcomes and experiences, alongside monitoring, assessment and feedback from pupils, staff, parents and governors.

This year, our improvement work has a strong focus on securing the essential foundations for successful learning. Our four key priorities are:

• Strengthening phonics and early reading, so that pupils become confident, fluent readers.
• Improving the fundamentals of writing, including handwriting, spelling and presentation, so that pupils can write fluently, accurately and with pride.
• Developing mathematical fluency and automaticity, helping pupils to recall and apply important mathematical knowledge efficiently and confidently.
• Raising attainment and achievement for vulnerable learners, ensuring that pupils with SEND, disadvantaged pupils and others who may face barriers to learning are supported to achieve well from their individual starting points.

Our plan is a working document rather than a fixed set of actions. Throughout the year, leaders and governors regularly monitor progress, evaluate the impact of our work and adapt our approach where necessary. High-quality professional development, robust monitoring and a consistent focus on the quality of education help us to ensure that improvements make a meaningful difference to children in the classroom.

Underpinning all of this is our belief in Ambition for All. We recognise that children have different starting points, strengths and needs, but we maintain high expectations for every pupil. Through our improvement work, we aim to remove barriers, strengthen teaching and ensure that every child is equipped with the knowledge, skills, confidence and independence they need for the next stage of their learning.

Our School Improvement Plan therefore supports our wider vision of “Shining Brighter and Brighter” (Proverbs 4:18) — ensuring that St Mary’s continues to grow and develop as a school where every member of our community is encouraged and supported to flourish.