A recent independent survey conducted by RSAcademics offers real insight into the views of our parents.
RSAcademics reported that Junior School parents particularly value our "nurturing atmosphere, inspiring teaching, strong ethos and pastoral care, alongside our inclusivity for girls of all abilities."
Key findings
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80% of parents feel completely or very satisfied with our School
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76% would definitely recommend St Mary's to other parents
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Over a third felt St Mary's had exceeded their expectations
Our strengths
Parents were invited to rate 40 features of our Junior School, including everything from teaching and learning and extra-curricular opportunities to administration, communication, friendliness and site security.
The top rating band was 'very good' and we were highly rated in a wide range of areas:
- Quality of teaching - 100% rated very good or good
- Relationships between pupils, staff and teachers - 100% rated very good or good
- Leadership of the School - 98% rated very good or good
- Teachers' ability to inspire your child - 96% rated very good or good
- Concern for each girl's well-being - 95% rated very good or good
- Behaviour and manners of pupils - 100% rated very good or good
- Musical opportunities - 94% rated very good or good
- **Preparation for transition to Senior School - 98% rated very good or good
**= fewer than 80% of parents answered this question
View the full report from RSAcademics
Improving what matters
Our parent partnership is integral to our approach. By understanding parental views we focus on improving aspects of school life that matter most to our parents. Our latest survey illustrates how parental opinion has evolved in the two-year period prior to the research.
Significant % increases in very good ratings have been achieved for:
- General communication: very good ratings up 27%
- Transport to school: very good ratings up 27%
- Leadership: very good ratings up 24%
Looking to the future
This research also identifies parental priorities for future enhancements, which will inform our strategic plans for the future and include:
- Increasing sporting opportunities through our ambitious £6.6 million Sports Development Plan which will provide outstanding facilities for girls from Year 3 upwards. An overall review of our sports offering will be part of this plan.
- Extending our sporting fixtures programme, including our aim to compete in more IAPS competitions.
- Continuing to challenge our girls academically - as a High Performance Learning School, plus intiatives such as Leap Pathfinders which enables girls to extend learning through engaging challenges.
- Investment in school facilities and equipment, including our new Art Room alongside the inspiration and support of our Artist in Residence, and our plans are underway for a new STEM lab.
- Pro-active initiatives to continue our focus on pastoral care, including the new Girls on Board initiative to enable girls to understand and address common friendship challenges.
Survey response rate 59% of parents