St Anselm’s Catholic School, Canterbury

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils blossom at this happy and caring school, where difference is prized and nurtured. The school's values, 'the three R's', underpin all aspects of daily life. Pupils do the right thing because they are taught the importance of having 'respect for self, for others and for the environment'.

Effective partnerships with parents and carers are at the heart of ensuring that pupils thrive, both socially and academically. As one parent shared, 'This is a fantastic school, where the staff work tirelessly for the pupils.' There is a strong sense of belonging here.

The school has high aspirations for all pupils. Classrooms are calm and orderly places conducive to successful ...learning. Pupils listen carefully to staff and approach their work diligently.

Consequently, they learn well. Many pupils feel proud to go on to study courses in the school's growing sixth form.

The pastoral support that staff give to pupils is a particular strength.

Pupils feel safe. They know that there is always someone to talk to who will listen to them and take them seriously.

Pupils play an active role in their school and the wider community, such as by raising funds for local charities.

Many sixth-form students enjoy being a peer mentor for younger pupils.

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

Pupils' best interests are at the heart of everything that the school does. There is a strong, shared vision at the school: to ensure that all pupils access a high-quality education.

Consequently, most pupils learn well and achieve useful qualifications that equip them well for their next steps. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs identified accurately. This includes those in the two specially resourced provisions for pupils with SEND that form part of the school.

Information about pupils' needs is shared well with staff, enabling them to make appropriate adaptations to how the curriculum is taught. This means that pupils with SEND access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.

The curriculum is well structured.

Careful thought has been given to how learning builds over time from Year 7 to Year 13. Pupils study a wide range of subjects. At key stage 4, while the proportion of pupils attaining the English Baccalaureate is still lower than the government's national ambition, it is rising steadily.

This is because more pupils are now taking a language GCSE than was previously the case. The sixth form offers a suitable range of subjects and qualifications, providing students with choices to match their interests and future aspirations.

Staff receive high-quality training.

They use their detailed subject knowledge to teach new concepts clearly, particularly in the sixth form. Most teachers efficiently help pupils to recall and deepen their knowledge. They use questions skilfully to spot and address any gaps in pupils' learning.

However, there are some instances where this is not the case. When this happens, pupils do not learn as well as they could. The school is alert to and addressing these variations in how the curriculum is delivered.

Overall, pupils behave very well and enjoy their lessons. There is a clear focus on developing pupils' literacy skills and subject-specific vocabulary. Across the different subjects, pupils use this vocabulary with precision to explain and discuss their ideas.

Those who need extra help to become fluent readers are identified quickly. Well-trained staff provide timely support, which helps these pupils to read with increasing accuracy and confidence.

The school takes every opportunity to promote good attendance.

Despite efforts made by the school, there remains a small number of pupils who do not attend as often as they should. These pupils do not benefit fully from all that the school has to offer.

Opportunities to foster pupils' wider development are abundant.

The 'skills for life' curriculum gives pupils vital knowledge, which prepares them well for modern life. Pupils learn about the importance of kindness and acceptance. They do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination and rightly trust staff to tackle any such issues robustly.

Sixth-form students play an important role in school life by leading assemblies and hosting events for the local community. Pupils benefit from excellent careers advice and guidance, which helps them to make informed decisions about their next steps.

Trustees and local governors are knowledgeable and experienced.

They provide effective levels of challenge and support for the school. The well-being of staff is paramount. Staff workload is considered carefully when making decisions about the school's work.

Staff appreciate this and feel valued. They are exceptionally positive about working at this school and about the support that they receive.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• There is a small number of inconsistencies in how well the curriculum is taught. This sometimes limits how well pupils consolidate and deepen their knowledge and understanding. The trust should continue to develop staff's pedagogy so that all pupils learn well across the different subjects in the curriculum.

• Some pupils do not attend school often enough. This means that they miss out on essential learning. The trust should ensure that its ongoing work leads to improvements in pupils' attendance where they are needed.

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