St Joseph's Catholic Academy

Overview

Leaders have improved the school, which now provides a ‘settled atmosphere’ and an ‘ambitious curriculum’ rooted in a ‘strong Catholic ethos’. The inspection found that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, benefit from dedicated support and a culture that prepares them well for their future.

Strengths

• The curriculum is ‘well designed’ and develops pupils’ ‘cultural capital’, with effective support ensuring pupils with SEND access the same learning as their peers.
• Teachers possess ‘good subject knowledge’ and ‘explain new knowledge clearly’, routinely checking understanding to address misconceptions.
• Behaviour is strong, with ‘poor behaviour rarely disrupt[ing] life in school’ and bullying being ‘rare’ due to clear reporting systems.
• The sixth form prepares students well for ‘meaningful education, employment and training destinations’, including bespoke support for independent living.
• Staff feel ‘supported with their workload and well-being’, and governors hold leaders to account effectively.

Areas to improve

• Some teachers do not use assessment consistently well, occasionally moving pupils on to new learning too quickly without fully addressing gaps in knowledge.
• There is no robust system to check what pupils remember from the personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme, preventing leaders from assuring themselves of its effectiveness.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with ‘well-established systems’ for reporting concerns, well-trained staff, and swift action taken when issues arise.