Ofsted says St Martin's CE Primary is now improving

The January 2023 inspection found the quality of education and early years provision at the school to be inadequate

A school which was deemed inadequate by Ofsted is improving, said an inspector.

St Martin's CE Primary, in Shady Bower, Salisbury, was put into special measures by Ofsted in January 2023.

However, a monitoring inspection in November found leaders had made progress to improve the school, including to the quality of education.

Headteacher Becky McManus said: "Every decision that is made at St Martin's is based upon meeting the needs of our children."

"Our children and families have embraced the changes in the past year, they make St Martin's the wonderful family environment that it is.

It is also wonderful for the staff to have the well-deserved recognition of their hard work," she added.

'Knowledge for success'

The inspection in January 2023 found leadership and management, the quality of education and early years provision at the school to be inadequate.

It also highlighted behaviour, attitudes and personal development required improvements.

Inspectors found that pupils at the school "did not receive an acceptable standard of education" and the "curriculum lacked ambition" and "did not give pupils the essential knowledge they need to be successful".

It also found that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities did not receive the support they need, due to learning not being adapted and staff not understanding their needs.

Issues regarding learning to read and children's absence were also raised.

Significant difference

However, a monitoring inspection report in relation to a visit in November said the school had raised its expectations of how quickly and successfully pupils learn to read.

The report also stated that work had started to ensure a broad and ambitious curriculum is in place.

Mrs McManus said "We are all excited for the future" of the school, which recently joined the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust (DSAT).

Mark Lacey, CEO of DSAT, said: "The work done by Mrs McManus and her team has made a significant difference already, and the trajectory for further improvement is very firmly upwards.

Being part of our Trust means the school can benefit from shared resources, significant professional expertise, along with high quality professional learning for staff."