Derby Cathedral School

Overview

Leaders promote the school’s FAITH values, fostering positive relationships and a calm environment where pupils feel safe. The school delivers an ambitious curriculum with secure subject knowledge, though inconsistencies remain in checking pupil understanding and supporting those with special educational needs.

Strengths

• Leaders have created an "ambitious curriculum" that enables pupils to study a broad range of subjects, with increased uptake in English Baccalaureate subjects.
• "Teachers’ subject knowledge is secure," and they use effective strategies like ‘start now’ tasks to address learning gaps.
• Pupils develop their knowledge of healthy relationships, British values, and careers well, benefiting from early exposure to employers and work experience.
• Staff workload and well-being are valued, with new teachers receiving supportive training and targeted professional development.
• Governors and trustees "share leaders’ vision for the school" and hold leaders to account effectively.

Areas to improve

• Teachers must ensure they "check pupils’ understanding effectively" before moving learning on, as some pupils lack the necessary knowledge to complete activities.
• Leaders should ensure pupils adopt "positive attitudes to their learning," including improving punctuality, so they benefit fully from the education provided.
• Provision for pupils with SEND requires refinement, as some do not yet receive the "precise support they need to access all aspects of their lessons."

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," with staff receiving regular training and pupils learning how to stay safe through dedicated assemblies and tutor time.