St Augustine’s Catholic High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are, rightly, proud to attend this excellent school.

They meet its high expectations, excelling academically and flourishing into well-rounded individuals.

The curriculum reflects the high aspirations that leaders have for all pupils to grow and develop as young people. It is thoughtfully designed to match pupils' interests and needs.

Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for their future. Students in the sixth form benefit greatly from the comprehensive study programmes they follow.

Pupils love learning and their attitudes to it are impressive.

They have high expectations of themselves and aspire to learn well. Pupils are kind, empa...thetic and polite towards each other. Pupils are very well supported by staff.

For instance, the carefully designed provision for pupils who struggle with their mental health is exceptional.

There is a strong culture of tolerance and inclusion. Pupils' learning is enriched by a wide range of extra-curricular experiences that extend beyond the academic curriculum.

For example, pupils take part in high-quality musical and sporting activities which enhance their character development. This work is carefully constructed to allow pupils and students to contribute increasingly to the life of the school and wider community.

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

All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make a strong start to their time at the school.

The school has very carefully considered the starting points of the pupils before they arrive at the school. Pupils state that it was an easy transition and they continued from where they were at middle school with their learning.

The development of pupils' character throughout their school career is exceptional.

They rise to meet the growing expectations as they move through key stage 4 and into the sixth form. Students in the sixth form are tracked as they work through 'Giving back' to the rest of school and beyond. This sets the standard for other pupils to look up to.

The 'RISE' programme aids pupils' personal development through a carefully considered range of planned activities. The school's approach to the taught curriculum means pupils have an excellent understanding of age-appropriate risks and how to keep themselves safe in a range of different situations. Furthermore, the school ensures pupils engage with a variety of beliefs and ideas that are different from their own.

Pupils achieve very highly. Teachers' checks on pupils' learning are used intelligently to identify any gaps in pupils' knowledge quickly. The quality of questioning and assessment allows staff to plan carefully for upcoming lessons.

This is done consistently across the curriculum to help pupils meet the high expectations in place for them. Students in the sixth form benefit from the same aspirational support as pupils in the rest of the school. They too achieve highly and, with expert unbiased careers guidance, move on to ambitious destinations when they leave.

The school ensures that pupils are well prepared for their next steps. They are committed to providing a strong careers education. Through this, pupils engage with a wide range of employers and education providers.

All pupils in Year 10 and Year 12 undertake work experience. Students choose high quality and wider ranging destinations from the sixth form, which demonstrates the great strength of this work.

Staff have high expectations for pupils' conduct and pupils rise to meet them.

Pupils are consistently ready to learn in lessons. They understand the routines of the classroom, often seamlessly moving from one activity to the next. The relationships between staff and pupils are warm and kind, which helps strengthen pupils' exceedingly strong attitudes to learning.

When pupils experience difficulties, they are helped effectively to manage their behaviour. Staff work sensitively together to ensure pupils have the right support.

Strong leadership at all levels, including governance, is underpinned by constant evaluation and self-reflection.

Leaders are highly committed to continued and sustained improvement. This is at its best in the very careful reflection on the curriculum within individual subjects. The school supports staff very well with continuous professional development.

This aids the exceptional quality of delivery and outcomes, for example in mathematics and English.

There have been changes to the senior leadership during this year. The trust has helped to stabilise the school and consistency of provision.

Leaders are aware that some parents are concerned about communication. The school is now demonstrating more positive relationships with parents and the wider community. Governors and directors understand their roles and responsibilities, and fulfil them well.

They offer constructive support and challenge to the school and its leadership. The school invites external reviews of its practices to aid improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.