A primary school in Sunderland has been rated ‘Good’ by Catholic education inspectors for its devoted work to ensure that “pupils are happy, confident and feel secure, knowing that they are valued and cared for as unique individuals”.
St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, was inspected by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate (CSI) recently and rated ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ in Catholic life and mission and collective worship.
The CSI, which judges Catholic schools on overall effectiveness, Catholic life and mission, religious education, and collective worship, found that the school on Grindon Lane “fosters a culture of welcome, inclusion and exceptional pastoral care, ensuring that every member of the community feels valued, respected and supported”.
CSI lead inspector Claire Garbutt said in her report: “The school has created a profound sense of belonging through its strong relationships and close partnership with the parish, enabling pupils and families to experience the Church’s mission in action. Senior leaders are inspirational witnesses to the Catholic life, driving the school's mission with determination so that the Catholic ethos is fully embraced and lived out by staff, pupils and the wider community. Prayer is at the heart of daily school life, with pupils participating reverently and enthusiastically in a range of prayer experiences, demonstrating a clear engagement with the spiritual life of the school.”
Pupil’s behaviour was commended for being “excellent” and for displaying “positive attitudes to learning”.
“Pupils are St Cuthbert’s embrace the school’s distinctive Catholic identity, mission and values, demonstrating a deep sense of belonging and pride in being part of the school community,” continued the report.
“Pupils are happy, confident and feel secure, knowing that they are valued and cared for as unique individuals made in the image and likeness of God. This understanding is reflected in the way they treat one another with dignity and compassion. Inclusivity is a significant strength of the school; pupils demonstrate profound respect for others and families are very well supported.
“The mission of the school is lived out daily through the joy, enthusiasm and commitment of staff, who are exemplary role models and bear witness to the school’s Catholic character through the quality of their relationships and the love and care they show to pupils. Staff provide the highest levels of pastoral care, with a particular emphasis on supporting the most vulnerable, ensuring that every member of the community is known, valued and respected; endorsed by the comment, ‘Once a part of St Cuthbert’s always a part of St Cuthbert’s’.”
Pupils are “developing secure knowledge, understanding and skills” and make good progress. They enjoy their religious education and “approach lessons with enthusiasm, resulting in excellent behaviour for learning and higher levels of engagement”. This “safe, nurturing and secure learning environment enables pupils to participate confidently”, actively engage in lessons, take pride in their work and strive to achieve their best.
“Teachers demonstrate a clear commitment to the value of religious education and effectively communicate its importance to pupils,” added the report.
“Across the school, the celebration of effort is clearly evident, resulting in high levels of pupil motivation and engagement in learning. Relationships are positive and pupils respond well to the encouragement and recognition they receive.”
Headteacher Jane Ward said: "We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of our Catholic Schools Inspection. This report reflects the dedication of our staff, the commitment of our governors, the support of our families and parish, and, most importantly, the outstanding young people who make our school such a special place.
“We are particularly delighted that the inspection highlighted our culture of inclusion, exceptional pastoral care, strong parish partnership, excellent behaviour and the central role of prayer in the daily life of our school. Rooted in Christ and guided by our shared mission, we strive to ensure that every child and family feels welcomed, valued and supported, and it is wonderful to see this recognised so positively by inspectors.”
The school was inspected by the CSI in October 2026 on behalf of the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.
Places are available at St Cuthbert’s Nursery. For more information about St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery, visit www.stcuthbertsprimaryschool.co.uk
For more information about BCCET, visit www.bccet.org.uk
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Photo caption: St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School in Sunderland has been rated ‘Good’ by the CSI.