St Catherine's Catholic School

Overview

Pupils enjoy attending this school, where they “work hard and achieve well” within a “very calm atmosphere.” Leaders maintain high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, fostering strong personal development and positive behaviour. The curriculum is described as “ambitious” and “well-thought-out,” supported by teachers with “strong subject knowledge.”

Strengths

• Pupils are “kind and considerate to each other,” with lessons “very rarely affected by poor behaviour.”
• The curriculum is carefully sequenced, helping pupils “build on what they already know” and leading to “strong outcomes.”
• Leaders provide extensive opportunities for personal growth, including “residential retreats,” cultural visits, and pupil-led roles like “eco-warriors.”
• Staff are “well supported by leaders,” and governors “support and challenge school leaders appropriately.”
• Pupils with SEND can “access the same curriculum as their peers” through clear identification and assessment processes.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must implement effective strategies to support “weaker readers” who currently lack a “structured programme” to become fluent.
• Leaders should ensure staff delivering PSHE sessions are “appropriately trained and supported” so pupils gain a “secure grasp” of these important topics.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” underpinned by a “strong safeguarding culture” where staff are appropriately trained and proactive in working with external agencies to keep pupils safe.