Loreto College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils, and students in the sixth form, are exceptionally well supported to succeed at Loreto College. The school is driven by its ethos to support all pupils to value 'freedom, sincerity, truth, justice and joy'.

There is a strong emphasis on living and demonstrating these values. Staff know pupils well and have very high expectations for them. The school provides an ambitious curriculum, where pupils develop secure subject knowledge.

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make exceptional academic progress.

Teachers build strong relationships with pupils, which allows them to thrive and enjoy their education. Pupi...ls conduct themselves well in lessons and around the school.

They welcome visitors and share their school experiences enthusiastically. In line with the school's Catholic ethos, pupils are taught to respect and celebrate difference. There is a strong culture of tolerance and inclusion.

Bullying is rare and pupils are safe.

The school provides pupils with an extensive offer of opportunities and experiences to develop their character. Students in the sixth form are encouraged to take on leadership responsibility and to act as role models.

For example, sixth-form students act as mentors for younger pupils and they run their own extra-curricular activities.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has carefully considered the starting points of pupils before they arrive in Year 7. Leaders have put in place a range of activities that assist pupils in their transition from primary school.

There is support available for pupils that experience mental health challenges, such as anxiety. 'Retreat days', that are held for each year group, help pupils to learn useful well-being techniques.

Pupils follow a rich and ambitious curriculum.

The curriculum matches, and often exceeds, the scope of what is expected nationally. Most pupils study the suite of subjects that make up the English Baccalaureate in key stage 4. Students in the sixth form successfully complete very well-designed programmes of study.

They are well prepared with the knowledge and skills they need for their next steps.

Teachers have excellent knowledge of the subjects that they deliver. Staff check pupils' understanding and quickly address any errors or misconceptions so that pupils are ready to move on in their learning.

Pupils' work is consistently of high quality. Many of the strengths in curriculum design and implementation extend to the sixth form. Leaders have identified areas where some routines need to be strengthened further so that students in the sixth form achieve consistently well.

Reading is prioritised across the school. Leaders quickly identify pupils who cannot read well. These pupils receive effective support from well-trained staff.

Pupils at the early stages of reading catch up quickly. This helps them to access the full curriculum. The school promotes a love of reading across all subjects.

Pupils benefit from a well-stocked library that is a welcoming space. Sixth-form students have been trained to offer support to younger readers. The school identifies pupils' needs with precision and shares this information with staff.

There are a range of strategies available to support pupils with SEND, which are used appropriately when needed. Pupils with SEND achieve very well, including in the sixth form.

Pupils, and students in the sixth form, are highly supportive and respectful of each other.

Classrooms are calm and focused. Pupils said that this is because there are clear systems in place that they understand and that help them to learn. Teachers have positive working relationships with pupils and, as a result, they are willing to answer questions and to take risks.

They listen carefully to their teachers and each other, asking interesting questions that demonstrate their curiosity to learn.

There is a comprehensive careers programme that starts from Year 7, which provides advice and guidance about different career pathways. The talents and interests of pupils are developed through a wide range of extra-curricular activities, which take place primarily at lunchtime.

There is a comprehensive personal development provision, where pupils are encouraged to be engaged and active citizens. For example, the 'Wow' (women of the world) club promotes gender equality and there are many opportunities for pupils to engage in fundraising activities for charity.

Leaders, including those responsible for governance, have high ambition for their pupils and want the best for them.

Staff, pupils and parents share this ambition. Staff feel that their workload and well-being have been carefully considered by leaders. They appreciate leaders' open-door policy.

Staff benefit from high-quality professional development and early careers teachers receive excellent support.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Routines and expectations in the sixth form do not always match those of the rest of the school.

This results in some students in the sixth form not achieving as highly as they could. Leaders have correctly identified this as a priority for further development. The school should ensure that all staff have the highest ambition for what sixth-form students can achieve.