All Saints Catholic High School’s latest Ofsted inspection report has been published which confirmed that attendance and behaviour; personal development and wellbeing; and post 16 provision are a strong standard and curriculum and teaching; inclusion; and leadership and governance are an expected standard.
Safeguarding standards are met and achievement needs attention.
Inspectors noted that:-
- Pupils feel a sense of belonging and are part of a large school community. Pupils trust staff to help them when they need it.
- Pupils value their experience at school and benefit from the support provided by staff.
- Pupils benefit from a wide personal development offer, which broadens their experiences far beyond their local area.
- The school’s post-16 provision is tailored to the needs of students. They achieve very well.
- Leaders have successfully prioritised attendance and behaviour. The positive impact of leaders’ work goes hand-in-hand with the deep sense of belonging that pupils experience.
- Leaders have successfully created a highly positive climate for learning.
- Leaders have implemented a personal development programme that is woven through every aspect of school life.
- Pupils benefit from high-quality pastoral support from skilled staff attached to each year group.
- The school’s comprehensive careers programme spans from Year 7 to Year 13, which raises pupils’ aspirations.
- Effective engagement with local employers gives pupils the opportunity to prepare themselves for the world of work. As a result, there are a large number of pupils who secure apprenticeships when they leave school.
- The post-16 programme meets the needs of students attending this provision very well. This bespoke offer considers students’ aspirations and interests closely; teachers in the sixth form are appropriately skilled to allow students to achieve well; and students’ results in these qualifications are often above the national average.
- Leaders ensure that there is a broad, well-designed curriculum that builds on pupils’ prior knowledge. This curriculum reflects the needs and context of the pupils at the school.
- Leaders and governors recognise the context of the communities they serve. Pupils’ interests are central to their decision-making.
- Governors know the school well and work closely with leaders to offer support and challenge. They undertake their statutory duties effectively.
- While leaders’ actions to improve the curriculum have led to more effective learning at key stage 3, Leaders are ensuring that there is consistency of high-quality teaching in key stages 3 and 4.
Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said “I was delighted to read All Saints Catholic High School’s latest Ofsted report, and particularly that pupils value their school experience and Inspectors noted that a positive learning environment had been created. The school has an established relationship with local businesses too which was reflected in the report, supporting pupils with their next steps when they leave school. A great report – well done to everyone involved.”