Ofsted at St Matthew's
"A happy, caring and welcoming school" – Ofsted 2020
We are proud to share that St. Matthew’s Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school, following our most recent inspection in February 2020. The report is full of praise for the school’s nurturing environment, high expectations, and strong educational provision.
Click here to read the full Ofsted report.
What Ofsted Said About Us
A caring and supportive community
“St Matthew’s is a happy, caring and welcoming school. Pupil welfare is at the heart of everything it does.”
Our commitment to kindness, family values and inclusivity shines through daily life at school. Children are safe, valued and inspired to be the best versions of themselves.
High standards and expectations
“Pupils behave well... Teachers have high expectations and set work which challenges pupils to achieve their best.”
With a calm and purposeful atmosphere, our pupils thrive in an environment where learning behaviours are strong and aspirations are high.
Excellent reading provision
“Pupils are confident readers and enjoy a range of appropriate reading books… They listen avidly as teachers read aloud.”
Reading is at the heart of our curriculum. Since the last inspection, our phonics teaching has significantly improved, with a renewed focus on early reading success.
Rich curriculum and memorable learning
“The history curriculum provides pupils with rich and memorable experiences… Planning is detailed and shows what skills pupils will learn over time.”
We provide broad and engaging experiences – from Viking workshops at Jorvik to cooking, first aid, and life skills – that bring learning to life and prepare children for the world.
Inclusive and supportive for all
“Pupils with SEND receive effective support… Pupils engage well in their lessons.”
Every child is known, supported and challenged at St. Matthew’s. Our tailored approach ensures all pupils, including those with additional needs, make strong progress.
Strong early years provision
“Children in the early years are happy, confident and safe. Parents are extremely happy with how their children settle in.”
From their very first day, children are nurtured, encouraged and given a firm foundation for lifelong learning.
Excellent safeguarding
“The arrangements for safeguarding are effective… Leaders work well with external agencies.”
Keeping children safe is our highest priority. Our systems are rigorous, regularly audited and fully compliant with all statutory requirements.
What We're Working On
We’re continuously improving, with a focus on:
Raising phonics attainment in Year 1 through structured, high-quality teaching
Developing curriculum planning so all subjects are delivered with the same excellence across the board
These priorities are already well underway and showing strong impact across the school.
What Parents Say
“My child is inspired by the teachers and pupils around her to be the very best version of herself every day.”– Parent feedback via Ofsted Parent View
We are incredibly proud of the strong partnerships we have with our families and wider community.
Read the Report
To read the full Ofsted report, click below:
