Below is an extract from our diocesan Ofsted report, which relates to our effectiveness as a religious school. The full report is available from the link below.

The inspection involves looking at key areas of the school: outcomes for pupils, effectiveness of governors and leaders, provision for pupils within Catholic life and Mission, Collective Worship and Religious Education. In 5 our of the 9 areas, we received a ‘outstanding’ grading.

Summary of key findings

What the school does well

• Pupils are proud representatives of their school, expressing their mission of ‘Where love and charity are, God is there’ through a warm, authentic welcome to all. They speak with deep commitment about belonging to a special, diverse community where every language, background, religion and ability is valued and celebrated.
• Staff and leaders know their pupils and families exceptionally well and actively seek ways to support them, building relationships rooted in trust whilst seeking to reduce barriers. Their commitment to welcome and protection is affirmed in the school’s School of Sanctuary status.
• Staff are fully committed to delivering the new religious education directory effectively, adapting teaching and resources in response to the specific starting points and needs of each pupil so that all can access learning.
• This is a community who treasure opportunities to worship together. A variety of worship experiences reflects the rhythm of the liturgical year and the traditions of the Church, enabling pupils and staff to participate with reverence, joy and growing confidence.
• Passionate and skilled leaders and highly effective governors are ably supported by the Newman Catholic Educational Trust and Clifton Diocese. High-quality monitoring and evaluation informs planning and has driven accelerated improvement across the school.

Further findings from the report 

Catholic Life and Mission

• Pupils demonstrate immense pride and a secure understanding of the school’s unique and culturally diverse identity, acting as ambassadors for its mission of welcome, love and respect.
• Pupils confidently celebrate the many languages, cultures and faiths represented within the school, recognising that each contributes to a shared identity rooted in Gospel values of dignity, inclusion and mutual respect.
• One pupil explained their motivation simply, “to share God’s love – each person deserves love.”
• The school places Christ firmly at its heart, evident in the warm, respectful relationships across the community. As one pupil reflected, “If we work as a team, we are all one.”
• A strong culture of welcome permeates the school, ensuring that every member of the community feels valued, supported and safe.
• Staff are exemplary role models who live out the mission statement with conviction, modelling Catholic values in their words, actions and relationships.
• The school knows its pupils and families exceptionally well, enabling staff to offer high-quality pastoral care that is bespoke, timely and rooted in deep understanding
• one staff member reflects, “Our school helps children develop a truly holistic and loving appreciation for the Catholic faith… and reminds them to lead with love.”
• Leaders and governors are energised, joy-filled and determined guardians of the school’s mission and identity, working with integrity to rebuild relationships of trust and partnership with parents, the parish and the wider community.

Religious Education 

• Pupils say they enjoy religious education lessons, particularly when teaching is adapted to meet individual needs and starting points.
• Pupils with additional needs are well supported by teaching assistants, enabling them to access new learning alongside their peers.
• Behaviour in lessons is good, with most pupils demonstrating high levels of engagement and focus.
• Teachers demonstrate a deep commitment to the new religious education directory and hold high expectations for themselves and their pupils in both planning and delivery.
• Younger pupils benefit from rich encounters, such as visiting the church with a parishioner and responding to reflective prompts like “I wonder why the cross is an important symbol for Christians”.
• Leaders and governors place religious education firmly at the heart of the curriculum
• The subject leader is inspiring in her commitment; articulating a clear, ambitious vision for colleagues across the school and engaging in purposeful collaboration with trust and diocesan partners

Collective Worship 

• Pupils speak with sincerity about the value of prayer in their lives, describing it as a way of building a relationship with God: “I pray to have a connection with God and a bond that will never break.”
• Behaviour during worship is excellent; all pupils are invited to pray and respond with engagement and respect.
• Pupils from other faiths often express that they wish to be included.
• Leaders seek to develop pupils’ experience of the breadth of traditional and creative prayer further.
• Class worship, singing and celebration assemblies further enrich the spiritual life of the community.
• Leaders and governors are passionate in their commitment and ensure the liturgical year is fully reflected in the school’s prayer and worship life
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