Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy

Overview

This ungraded inspection confirms that Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school is described as a “warm and welcoming” environment where pupils enjoy a strong sense of “togetherness and belonging.” Leaders and staff share a “secure vision” for the school, ensuring high-quality provision for all pupils.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “high standards of behaviour” and are “tolerant and respectful” of one another, contributing to a “calm and purposeful environment.”
• The “ambitious curriculum” sets out the precise order for teaching knowledge, helping pupils “secure new learning” through clear explanations and well-considered activities.
• Pupils are “avid readers” who make links between stories and other subjects, developing a “rich understanding” of their studies.
• The personal, social and health education programme is “well planned,” ensuring pupils have a “deep understanding” of topics such as tolerance, democracy, and respect.
• Staff feel “valued” and are “proud to work at the school,” supported by trustees who hold leaders to a “high degree of accountability.”

Areas to improve

• Checks on pupils’ understanding “lack a degree of accuracy,” meaning some pupils are not moved on to the next stage of learning when ready, preventing them from learning the curriculum in the intended depth.
• Adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) sometimes “lack the precision needed,” resulting in strategies that do not always have the intended impact.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”