Dominican College

Overview

Dominican College is described as an inclusive and nurturing school where the Dominican ethos is “tangibly lived out daily in the halls.” The inspection found a “thriving learning environment” characterised by “highly effective relational teaching” and excellent pupil dispositions, with strong collaborative networks supporting student success.

Strengths

• “Highly effective relational teaching” fosters a safe environment where pupils feel valued and achieve well.
• Pupils demonstrate “excellent” behaviour, high motivation, and a strong sense of belonging.
• “Highly effective collaborative networks” and enrichment provision, including notable sporting and artistic achievements.
• Robust digital skills provision, underpinned by a clear strategy and high-quality classroom practice.
• Strong partnerships with parents, with 96% reporting their child was happy in school.

Areas to improve

• Develop a consistent whole-school approach to meeting pupils’ needs through a strategic staff professional learning programme, including the consistent use of inclusive adaptive teaching strategies.
• Develop further the careers provision to ensure a more coherent and planned approach to pupils’ learning experiences.
• Address the lack of control over access to the school site, which creates a risk to safety, by establishing a robust controlled security system.

Safeguarding

The report states that arrangements for child and adult protection “align to the current statutory guidance.”