St John's Catholic Comprehensive

Overview

St John’s Catholic Comprehensive has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school is described as an inclusive environment where “pupils flourish” due to high-quality care and a “harmonious sense of purpose.” Leaders and governors work effectively to ensure the school continues to serve pupils in their best interests.

Strengths

• Staff provide “high-quality care” and maintain “consistently clear” high expectations, fostering a culture where pupils are “extremely courteous and respectful.”
• A “broad and ambitious curriculum” prepares pupils well for life, with many securing qualifications for further study or “aspirational apprenticeships.”
• The school offers “extensive support” for mental health and successfully supports pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those speaking English as an additional language.
• Attendance has shown “demonstrable improvement” since the pandemic, with targeted work significantly increasing attendance for disadvantaged pupils.
• Staff retention is high, and leaders provide “supportive challenge” to ensure effective action is taken.

Areas to improve

• Teachers must consistently check pupils’ understanding before moving on to new learning to address “misconceptions and gaps in pupils’ knowledge.”
• In a small number of subjects, the school should support teachers to design learning that helps pupils “make connections between linked ideas and concepts” and apply knowledge in complex ways.

Safeguarding

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