Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• St Mary’s Church of England Primary School Celebrated for Sustained High Standards in Ofsted Inspection

  Tue 13 May 2025

  St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Melton Mowbray is proud to announce it has been recognised once again for maintaining high educational standards following its latest Ofsted inspection, held on 25–26 March 2025. 

   

  The school received a strong, positive rating across all key areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. These results are a testament to the school’s ongoing commitment to excellence in education and the well-being of its pupils. 

   

  In their report, inspectors highlighted the school's warm, welcoming environment and strong community ethos. Pupils were described as “happy” and “polite,” benefitting from a “calm and safe environment where all pupils can flourish.” Staff were praised for having “high aspirations” for all learners and for successfully creating an ambitious curriculum that helps broaden students' horizons. 

   

  The report commended the school’s ethos, rooted in its values of “be courageous, be strong, do everything in love,” which clearly shapes both the learning and the nurturing atmosphere. Inspectors also noted the strong emphasis on inclusion, respect, and positive relationships throughout the school. 

   

  Other strengths highlighted include: 

  • Strong Subject Knowledge: Particularly in mathematics, where pupils confidently recall facts and solve complex problems. 

  • Personal Development Opportunities: Pupils thrive through extracurricular activities, collaborative ‘pupil charter’ events, and roles such as ‘young governors.’ 

  • Support for SEND Pupils: Effective systems are in place to identify and support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring access to a broad, balanced curriculum. 

  • Early Years Excellence: Children in Reception settle quickly and benefit from structured, engaging lessons that lay strong foundations for future learning. 

  • Effective Safeguarding: The school was found to have robust safeguarding procedures in place, with staff creating an open and trusting culture. 

   

  Headteacher Laura Oakes said, 
  "We are incredibly proud of the continued recognition of our high standards, caring environment, and the wonderful efforts of our children and staff. This report reflects the heart of our school community and our unwavering dedication to helping every child flourish and succeed." 

   

  St Mary’s is part of the Rise Multi-Academy Trust, a partnership that has been central to the school’s development and ongoing success. CEO of the Trust, Dave Ellison-Lee, commented: "We are thrilled to see the fantastic work of the St Mary’s team being recognised in this latest Ofsted report. The school continues to provide a safe, nurturing, and ambitious environment for children to learn and grow. We’re proud of the leadership, staff, and pupils, and we remain committed to supporting them as they continue their journey of improvement and success." 

   

  To read the full Ofsted report, please visit the Ofsted website or click here. 

• St Mary’s C of E Primary School Triumphs in Sky Schools Dance Challenge 2025

  Wed 02 Apr 2025

  St Mary’s C of E Primary School is celebrating an incredible achievement after winning first place in the Sky Schools Dance Challenge 2025. Competing alongside 11 other schools from the local community, St Mary’s showcased their talent, teamwork, and dedication in a stunning performance that captivated the judges and audience alike. 

   

  St Mary’s is located in Melton Mowbray with nearly 200 pupils on roll and is part of the Rise Multi Academy Trust. The school prides itself on its Christian Vision ‘Be Courageous, Be Strong, Do Everything in Love’. This vision shone brightly throughout the competition. 

   

  The competition, run in collaboration with Melton and Belvoir School Sports and Activity Network along with the local Sky Theatre Company, provided an exciting platform for young performers. Senior Teaching Assistants Mrs. Pole and Mrs. Short dedicated months of hard work to coaching a group of 27 children, aged between 5 and 11, to bring their vision to life. Their dance, titled “A Day in the Life at St Mary’s,” beautifully encapsulated the essence of school life through movement and expression. 

   

  The journey to victory was an emotional and inspiring one. Many of the students had little to no prior stage experience, yet they grew in confidence, supporting and encouraging one another throughout the process. A special mention goes to St Mary’s alumna, Tilly Pole, now 15 years old, who choreographed the six-minute routine. Tilly volunteered her time each week to help teach the children, even creating online videos to ensure they could practice at home. 

   

  At the initial stage of the competition, St Mary’s received two prestigious certificates: ‘Most Polished Performance’ and ‘Most Prepared/Organised Backstage.’ Their dedication secured them a spot in the finals on March 27th, where they were one of six schools to compete, including fellow Rise Multi Academy Trust member Frisby C of E Primary School. St Mary’s delivered a breathtaking final performance, earning the biggest and loudest applause of the evening. 

   

  The judges faced a tough decision, with Gaddesby Primary securing third place and Harby Primary finishing in second. However, the ultimate victory went to St Mary’s, sparking an eruption of joyous cheers, happy tears, and immense pride from students, staff, and parents alike. 

   

  Headteacher Mrs. Laura Oakes expressed her immense pride, stating, “This experience has been truly extraordinary for our pupils. Their determination, hard work, and passion shone through, and we are beyond thrilled with their success. A huge thank you to our dedicated staff who made this possible—this victory belongs to all of us.” 

   

  Rise MAT CEO Dave Ellison-Lee added, “This competition provided a brilliant opportunity for our pupils to flourish. Their performance demonstrated not only talent but also teamwork, resilience, and dedication—qualities that will serve them well beyond the stage.” 

   

  As a testament to their success, St Mary’s proudly received a first-place trophy, which will now take pride of place on display within the school. This achievement stands as a remarkable milestone in the school’s history and a shining example of what can be accomplished through dedication and teamwork. 

   

  For more information about St Mary’s C of E Primary School, please visit: https://www.st-marys-school.co.uk/