Last week Marlborough St Mary’s received a glowing report from Wiltshire Council’s recent inspection of the school. Dan Crossman, Headteacher, said, “I’m really proud of the staff and children. This feedback is so positive but we will keep on trying to improve to deliver the best possible outcomes for our children and families.”
Read a summary of the report here:
Phonics: The review noted that our phonics lessons are delivered “with an incredible level of consistency.” Each child is carefully placed in the most appropriate group for their needs, allowing for a seamless transition between groups with “the minimum of stress or fuss.” Our Phonics Lead is praised for her “highly knowledgeable” approach, regularly monitoring progress and ensuring that both children and staff receive the support they need.
Maths: Our maths leadership was recognized as a strength, with the review stating, “There is a clear vision and approach for teaching and learning in maths across the school.” The consistent lesson structure sets clear expectations for both students and teachers. The review highlighted that our teachers use purposeful questioning, such as “How do you know?” and “Explain why you think…?” to encourage children to “think deeply and articulate reasoning.” The uncluttered learning environments, paired with effective use of maths working walls, support students in grasping key concepts.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): The review emphasized our carefully planned transitions, which enable children to settle in confidently: “Children’s engagement and curiosity are evident.” The environment is designed to promote independence and emotional regulation, with clearly defined spaces and thoughtfully planned resources. Positive relationships between children and adults were highlighted, with adults demonstrating empathy and understanding to help children manage their feelings and behaviour.
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL): Our MFL programme was described as having a “robust and detailed curriculum” that is well-sequenced from Years 2 to 6. The review noted that all students, including those with additional needs, “enjoy MFL as everyone starts from the same place,” boosting their confidence. Importantly, it stated that “Marlborough St Mary’s children will be way ahead of their peers in Year 7,” setting them up for success in their future studies. The MFL Lead is actively developing assessment processes to ensure all students make progress.
Attendance: The commitment to improving attendance is commendable. The review emphasized our leaders’ efforts, noting they are “going above and beyond” to support families and improve attendance rates. Through targeted initiatives like “first day response” and personalized support for individual students, we have seen a positive trend in attendance, demonstrating our dedication to every child’s success.
Supporting All Learners: The review commended our careful planning for students with special educational needs, stating that we ensure they can access the mainstream curriculum alongside their peers through small adaptations to the environment, resources, and teaching strategies. Our leaders are also working on the PINS project to further develop staff understanding of neuro-divergence.
Jonathan Dimbleby at Marlborough LitFest
