South Tyneside school achieves a Good Ofsted rating thanks to leaders’ improvements
The leadership team at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Hebburn are delighted that the school has been awarded a ‘Good’ rating by Ofsted. The Academy, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, was inspected by Ofsted at the start of the academic year and the education regulators have now published their report.
Graham Findlay, lead inspector for the recent Ofsted inspection, said in his report: “Leaders have improved the school. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from studying an ambitious curriculum and from having dedicated lessons that help them to develop as individuals. The school experience, built around a strong Catholic ethos, prepares pupils and students well for their future”.
The Mill Lane secondary school has 1,310 pupils – 181 at the school’s Sixth Form. The views of pupils, staff and parents were collected by the inspectors with the results of all 3 groups reported to be very positive about their school experience. Deep dives were carried out in key departments with teaching and learning observed in lessons across the school as part of the inspection.
The inspectors found that there was a “settled atmosphere” in lessons and around school with pupils feeling “safe and comfortable”.
An “ambitious” and “well designed” curriculum at the mixed school “develops and deepens pupils’ knowledge of the subjects that they study” and is adapted well for pupils with SEND.
The Ofsted inspectors found that teachers have good subject knowledge and noted that leaders have invested time in training staff on the use of assessment.
Diversity is “celebrated” in school with pupils talking “confidently” about how European languages week and Black history month have “broadened their horizons”. Students in the Sixth Form play an “active role” in supporting younger pupils. The focus on reading has been “intelligently” considered, so some female pupils who were reluctant to read aloud in class can now read to an adult outside of lessons.
It added that the Sixth Form “prepares students well for future success” with young people progressing to “meaningful education, employment and training destinations”.
Headteacher Peter Mitchell said, “The report’s findings are a true reflection of the school, demonstrating the progress that has been made since the previous inspection. The significant improvements that have been made are a direct result of the hard work of the whole community of St Joseph’s including staff, pupils, parents, governors and the wider trust network.There has been a lot of time and effort put in to increase the quality of CPD (continuous professional development) for our staff, and the quality of lessons and education for students, whilst maintaining behaviour standards and expectations”.
Deputy Headteacher Suzanne Lewis-Dale added, “The report showed the care staff provide both academically and pastorally for our pupils, with our Catholic faith at the centre of all we do. We have changed the culture of expectations so the cultural norm is that pupils are purposeful and engaged and staff have high expectations. We are pleased that the inspectors picked up on the diversity and inclusiveness of the community at St Joseph’s”.
The school’s previous inspection report was published on 18th March 2019 and stated that the school Requires Improvement.
Mr Mitchell added, “The previous Ofsted inspection gave us the platform to work from, recognising that a lot of changes had started but more needed to happen; we needed the time to embed the changes to leadership and school systems, which had just been implemented prior to the inspection. We are now in a position where an Ofsted ‘Good’ rating is a true reflection of St Joseph’s”.