Saint Ambrose College

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils’ experiences are “transformational” and they are “highly motivated to learn.” Leaders have established a culture of “compassion” and “high expectations” that ensures all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, thrive and achieve outcomes “rarely matched nationally.”

Strengths

• Pupils make “incredible progress” and attain “significantly above national averages,” with disadvantaged pupils outperforming national peers.
• The personal development programme is “expertly designed,” fostering moral, social, and spiritual growth alongside a “deep understanding of healthy relationships.”
• Staff deliver a “highly ambitious curriculum” with “clear explanations,” using detailed knowledge of pupils to “remove barriers to learning.”
• Attendance is “very high” and behaviour is described as “impeccable,” supported by “warm and respectful relationships” between staff and pupils.
• Leaders provide “highly effective oversight” and ensure staff workload is manageable, contributing to a positive professional environment.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should “sustain the effectiveness of their work in all areas” and seek “continued improvement” to drive a “transformational impact for all pupils,” particularly those facing barriers to learning or wellbeing.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” so that “pupils are made safer and feel safe.”