Saint Martin’s Catholic Voluntary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The principal and his leadership team are dedicated to the school, its pupils and the community. They know exactly what the school's strengths are and are fully committed to its further improvement. All pupils make good progress across the curriculum.

Most make outstanding progress in English and mathematics. Teaching, learning and assessment are securely good, with some outstanding practice. Leaders are keen to ensure that all teaching matches the very best found in the school.

Most teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. However, in some subjects, including modern foreign languages and humanities, these have been to...o low for some pupils. Leaders have responded judiciously to some disappointing published outcomes for pupils last year in modern foreign languages, science and humanities.

Actions to improve teaching and learning are making a positive impact on pupils' progress and their achievement. Leaders have ensured that staff benefit from high-quality training and guidance. As a result, teaching, learning and assessment are improving rapidly.

Pupils are safe and secure in the school. Arrangements to safeguard and protect them from harm are very effective. Governors provide strong challenge and oversight of the school.

However, monitoring and evaluating improvement strategies lack sharpness at times. Pupils' personal development is outstanding. Pastoral care is a strength of the school.

Pupils thrive within the school's excellent inclusive culture and ethos. Pupils are welcomed, supported and cared for irrespective of background, faith or ability. Behaviour is outstanding.

Pupils' conduct is superb and they show respect and care towards each other and adults. Pupils are proud to belong to this school. Their rate of attendance is consistently above average.

The school has a strong reputation with parents and carers. Numbers on roll are increasing because of the high regard parents have for what the school offers. The school's excellent provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development leads to pupils becoming active and responsible young adults.

The curriculum gives pupils a balanced experience across a range of academic and vocational subjects. Leaders have developed a knowledge-rich curriculum that enables pupils to think deeply.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average-sized secondary school.

The school joined the St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Multi-Academy Trust in September 2018. The overall responsibility for the school lies with the board of trustees, but a local governing body is in place and operates within a scheme of delegation. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well below the national average. The school currently uses one alternative provider: The Hinckley and Bosworth Behaviour Partnership.