St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College

Overview

St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College is judged as ‘Good’ overall, with ‘Outstanding’ personal development and provision for learners with high needs. The report highlights a ‘strong Catholic ethos’ and an ‘exceptionally high-quality tutorial programme’ that fosters a welcoming, inclusive environment where students feel safe and valued.

Strengths

• Students benefit from an ‘exceptionally high-quality tutorial programme’ covering contemporary issues and ethical discussions.
• The college provides a ‘nurturing and inclusive environment’ where students with high needs ‘flourish’ and achieve as well as or better than peers.
• Staff ‘swiftly and robustly challenge students’ when behaviour falls short, resulting in high attendance and ‘calm and controlled’ communal spaces.
• Leaders ‘rigorously monitor the quality of the education’ and effectively involve stakeholders to align curricula with local skills needs.
• Teachers use ‘effective teaching methods’ and formative assessment to help students ‘understand and apply what they learn’.

Areas to improve

• Use initial assessment more effectively in GCSE mathematics to identify individual starting points and skill gaps.
• Increase the proportion of students achieving high grades in GCSE mathematics and a small number of A level subjects.
• Ensure leaders involve employers and relevant stakeholders in planning the curriculum in all subject areas.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with students clear on procedures and staff responding ‘swiftly and effectively’ to concerns.