The headteacher of an NPCAT school judged by Ofsted to be outstanding in all areas has pledged to continue striving to ensure its children benefit from an education as good as anywhere else in the country.
Inspectors say St Mary’s Catholic Primary in Grangetown is “a beacon of aspiration in the community,” adding: “The school’s ethos of love underpins everything it does.”
Delighted executive headteacher Anna McClurey says the school’s success is a real team effort and thanked pupils, families, staff, governors and the trust.
“We couldn’t have achieved this amazing recognition without our parents, carers and families,” Mrs McClurey said.
“We would like to thank them and their fantastic children for the unrelenting support they have shown to St Mary’s and the changes we have embraced.
“We are extremely proud of everything we have been able to achieve at St Mary’s and with their help we look forward to going from strength to strength.
“I would like to give enormous thanks to our team of dedicated staff and leaders, who work tirelessly to give the very best to the children in our care.
“It’s also important to acknowledge the skill and commitment of our governors and support of the trust, who do so much to support everything we’re trying to do here.”
In its glowing report for the 218-pupil school, Ofsted said: “Pupils have consistently positive attitudes towards their learning. They are polite and respectful learners. Pupils participate in lessons with enthusiasm.
“Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. There are clear and high expectations of behaviour in place. Pupils know, understand and abide by the school’s behaviour routines.”
Inspectors praised the wide range of after-school clubs and trips on offer and described the curriculum as “incredibly ambitious”.
“The school ensures that pupils have an in-depth understanding of how to keep mentally healthy.
“Members of the local governing board have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
“They recognise that the strength of all leaders, including the executive headteacher, subject leaders and trust leaders, contributes hugely to the outstanding education on offer.”
Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is described as “excellent”.
Mrs McClurey, who is also executive headteacher of St Pius X Catholic Primary in Park End, said pupils were a credit to the school, their families and to the Grangetown community throughout the inspection.
“We are incredibly proud of our inclusive and vibrant school, where all children thrive,” she said.
And she promised: “Even though the report identifies no areas for improvement, we will never stop trying to get better.
“We aim to ensure the children of Grangetown benefit from a quality of education that’s every bit as good as that on offer anywhere in the country.
“We pledge to continue helping all our pupils fulfil their potential, to drive forward standards and to ensure the best for our pupils every day of their school lives.”
Trust CEO Mr Hegarty praised Mrs McClurey and the St Mary’s staff for what he described as a “magnificent achievement”.
“I would particularly reflect on the climate for learning which has been developed under her leadership at the school and embraced by all staff and is so valued by every pupil.
“This is so difficult to achieve and apply consistently, whereby every pupil is acknowledged as an individual made in the image and likeness of God and has ambition and a deep sense of their ability to achieve.”

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A “small, welcoming school at the heart of the community” has been warmly praised by inspectors who deemed it to be good overall and good in all areas.
Welcoming the glowing Ofsted report, Headteacher Gerard Eddy said he was “incredibly proud” of the whole community at St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School in Ampleforth, North Yorkshire.
“This is a small, welcoming school at the heart of its community,” the Ofsted report said. “The school builds trusting relationships with parents and carers.
“It celebrates pupils for who they are and what they achieve. Pupils develop the confidence and resilience they need to take their next steps in education.
“The school has high aspirations for all pupils. It expects them to achieve well. Pupils enjoy their learning. Pupils are proud of the work they produce.
“This is a calm and orderly school. It is also a friendly and happy school. Pupils form strong friendships. They cooperate with each other and show kindness and respect to all.”
St Benedict’s has 78 pupils aged from three to 11 and joined NPCAT last year.
Mr Eddy said it’s a pleasure to be part of such a happy and hardworking school where pupils are the focus of everything they do.
“St Benedict’s is such a special school community,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of the work that is done by the whole school community.
“Staff and governors care for and love the school and are committed to providing our children with the best possible education.
“At the core of everything we do here at St Benedict’s are the pupils. Our inspectors rightly recognised and praised them as being confident, kind, thoughtful and happy.
“I adore working at St Benedict’s. Every day I see the close bonds that exist between the staff and pupils and the respect they have for one another.
“I am so pleased for our parents and the wider community. Their support, care and encouragement for the staff and pupils helps to create this wonderful community that exists at St Benedict’s.”
NPCAT CEO Hugh Hegarty said: “This recognition of the current provision within our Ampleforth school is a further example of how NPCAT continues to support our rural schools in these significantly challenging times.
“The trust’s support at all levels is deeply appreciated by the community, school leadership and governors as we continue to build on the current rich provision of Catholic and indeed Christian education across North Yorkshire.”
Ofsted said the school gives children many opportunities to develop their talents, taking part in plays and attending clubs including sport, gardening eco-warriors and capoeira Brazilian dancing.
Children regularly raise funds for charity and have recently enjoyed trips to places including York Mosque and Eden Camp Modern History Museum.
Just a few days after Ofsted said goodbye to St Benedict’s, the school welcomed the Catholic Schools Inspectorate visit on behalf of the Diocese of Middlesbrough.
Their report said: “St Benedict’s is a confident, happy, Catholic community, working in enthusiastic partnership with others.
“Pupils are happy and their behaviour and attitude to learning is consistently a high standard.
“All members of staff are positive and confident role models. They work together to care for pupils and families and provide a good level of pastoral support.
“The headteacher, governors and staff enthusiastically articulate the Catholic mission of the school and are dedicated to ensuring continual improvement.”
They said membership of NPCAT is having a positive impact on the school’s capacity to continue to grow and improve.

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A headteacher has spoken of her pride and delight after Ofsted graded her school good overall and good in all areas.

Inspectors who visited St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Richmond found a “caring community” where children have everything they need to flourish.

The report says: “Pupils behave well and feel safe. They are well cared for by the adults, who know them well. When pupils join the school, they quickly become part of a caring community.

“Leaders have high expectations for pupils’ achievement. This starts in the early years, where the curriculum has been well thought through to support pupils to learn. By the end of key stage 2, pupils have the skills that help them to be ready to move to secondary education.

Headteacher Fran Mackle said she couldn’t be prouder of St Mary’s children, families and governors.

“We are truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful community,” she said. “I admire every member of my staff team as they always, without fail, put the children at the centre of everything they do.

“It’s a real pleasure to work alongside such dedicated, motivated and highly skilled people. Our parents and governors are a great support and the school wouldn’t be the wonderful place it is without them.

“One of my main aims is to establish a healthy workplace culture where the emotional health and wellbeing of staff is recognised and valued. Mental health and wellbeing of both the staff and children alike is a key priority in everyday life at St Mary’s.

“We are very proud of our new curriculum and the high expectations we all have for our children.

“We have a wonderful parish priest, Father John Bane, who fully embraces school life.

“We’re also very lucky to be the feeder school to the Ofsted outstanding St Francis Xavier School in Richmond, with our children gaining top category places in the admission process.”

St Mary’s, which is in Cross Lane, became part of NPCAT in September 2022.

CEO Hugh Hegarty further endorsed the leadership of Miss Mackle and her team.
“The support from the parish and community is a key strength of this beautiful school,” he said.

“St Mary’s and its sister school on the same site, SFX,  afford parents the option for a seamless transition from primary into an outstanding secondary school.

“These pathways are so important and having them in Richmond is why places at St Mary’s are so sought after.”

Ofsted says St Mary’s 171 pupils are proud of their work to support others, such as creating their own small food bank, and enjoy after-school clubs such as archery, dodgeball, football and dancing.

They also take on responsibilities as eco-warriors, school councillors and members of the Mini Vinnies group, who put their faith into action in their community.

“Pupils feel safe and are happy here. They trust the adults in school to help them. They understand how leaders and staff expect them to behave. They are highly respectful of each other and of adults. This makes the school a calm and orderly place.

“Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders and staff know pupils well. They work closely with pupils, and their families, to check on and look after their wellbeing.”

Miss Mackle added: “My professional aspiration has always been to secure excellent outcomes for all children. To achieve this, a key priority is to focus on developing high-quality teaching and learning, ensuring all children receive the education they deserve.

“I will remain focused on what matters most. For me, that must be the children whose parents entrust them into our care.”