St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury

Overview

St Anselm’s Catholic School is described as a "happy and caring school" where pupils "blossom" and feel a "strong sense of belonging." The inspection found that the school provides a high-quality education with effective leadership, resulting in good outcomes for most pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "well structured," with careful planning ensuring learning builds effectively from Year 7 to Year 13.
• Staff possess "detailed subject knowledge" and use questions skilfully to address gaps in pupils’ learning, particularly in the sixth form.
• Pupils with SEND have their needs "identified accurately" and access the "same ambitious curriculum as their peers" through appropriate adaptations.
• There is a "clear focus on developing pupils’ literacy skills," with timely support helping struggling readers gain accuracy and confidence.
• Staff wellbeing is prioritised, with workload considered carefully; staff feel "valued" and are "exceptionally positive" about working at the school.

Areas to improve

• The trust should continue to develop staff pedagogy to address "inconsistencies in how well the curriculum is taught," which sometimes limits how well pupils consolidate knowledge.
• The trust should ensure ongoing work leads to improvements in attendance for the "small number of pupils who do not attend as often as they should."

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."