St. Richard Gwyn Catholic High School

Overview

The report describes a school with a “caring and inclusive environment” where most pupils feel safe and demonstrate “good” behaviour. However, significant inconsistencies in teaching quality mean that a “significant minority of pupils do not make as much progress as they should.” Consequently, the inspectorate has determined that the school is “in need of significant improvement.”

Strengths

• Leaders have fostered a “strong community spirit” underpinned by “deep-rooted Catholic values.”
• There is “beneficial tailored support” for vulnerable pupils, particularly during the transition from primary school.
• The personal and social education programme is “responsive,” offering opportunities to develop understanding of “tolerance, respect and diversity.”
• Staff provide “beneficial support” to help pupils make informed decisions about their future pathways.

Areas to improve

• Improve the quality of teaching to address “significant shortcomings” and ensure all pupils make suitable progress.
• Ensure self-evaluation processes focus with “sufficient focus and precision” on teaching and its impact.
• Develop a strategic approach to the “progressive development of pupils’ skills” and ensure full access to Welsh language provision.

Safeguarding

Leaders and staff have worked collaboratively to ensure that a “strong culture of safeguarding is central to the school’s work,” leading to positive progress in prioritising pupils’ well-being.