La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

La Sainte Union is a good school which has made significant improvement since its previous inspection.

The sixth form is good and improving. Students' attainment remains high, with exceptional results in English and religious education. Students make good progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities because of the targeted specialist support they receive.

They feel extremely safe and show outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Attendance is high and students display a strong commitment to hard work. They generally behave well in lessons and behaviour around the school buildings and site is excellent.

They appreciate the importan...ce of healthy living, although they do not always put into practice what they know. The quality of relationships among students, and with the staff, is exceptionally good. The excellence in care, guidance and support provided is exemplified by the rigour and consistency of the attendance procedures and the outstanding quality of pastoral care.

Teaching is good in a wide range of subjects, with some outstanding practice, resulting in enjoyable, rapid and sustained learning. A few lessons are less successful, such as in science and mathematics when teacher talk takes precedence over students' involvement in their own learning. There is also some inconsistency in the effectiveness of assessment procedures.

The curriculum provides a range of academic and vocational pathways, meeting the needs of students through traditional courses and innovative activities. Students develop outstanding skills to assist them in their working life and make an excellent contribution to the school and wider community. Safeguarding of the students, links with other schools and partnerships with parents, carers and other agencies are all outstanding.

he headteacher, with the support of the leadership team, is changing the culture of the school to one where staff are more accountable for their actions. Heads of department remarked that 'the school is in transition', as they adjust their practices to ensure that developments take place, once the need is identified through self-evaluation and external review. Staff morale remains high at the same time as this significant change at the core of the school is being achieved.

The inclusive approach, in the sixth form as well as in Years 7 to 11, is testament to the strong drive to provide equality of opportunity for all. High and improving standards, extremely rigorous monitoring of teaching and learning which is leading to improvement in students' progress, along with the excellent aspects of school life, are indicative of an outstanding capacity to improve. The school provides excellent value for money.

Information about the school

Above the average size for a secondary school, La Sainte Union has a large sixth form of its own which also forms part of a consortium with three other neighbouring schools. It accepts sixth form students from all faiths and none. The girls in Years 7 to 11 are from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, predominantly White British and Black British African which make up about a quarter each of the school roll.

The proportions are above average for students known to be eligible for free school meals, and those speaking English as an additional language. A below average proportion has special educational needs and/or disabilities, mainly dyslexia and difficulties associated with behavioural, emotional and social issues or physical, speech and hearing needs. La Sainte Union has specialist status for Science with Mathematics and International School status.