Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School

Overview

The inspection found that Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School achieves its vision well, inspiring pupils to attain ‘personal, spiritual and educational excellence’. Pupils thrive in a dynamic, inclusive community where they are treated with care, respect, and high expectations. The school demonstrates highly effective practice in celebrating success and providing diverse learning experiences.

Strengths

• Planning, teaching, and assessment were ‘almost always effective’, with pupils actively engaged and challenged through ‘skilful questioning’.
• Pupils attain well and develop wider skills through a ‘dynamic, flexible curriculum’ enhanced by extensive extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities.
• A ‘strong community of learning permeates the school’, supported by effective pastoral care and a responsive approach to overcoming barriers.
• Staff benefit from effective professional learning, and governors provide ‘appropriate support, encouragement and constructive challenge’.
• Successes are ‘celebrated widely across and beyond the school’, fostering a culture where pupils adopt ‘success as a habit’.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies one area for consideration: ‘to use evaluations of learning and teaching to better inform precise targets for action planning’.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘arrangements for child and adult protection align to the current statutory guidance’ and that pupils feel safe and secure.