St Augustine’s Catholic School - a Catholic voluntary academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school 'We respect, accept and care for all' is part of the school's mission statement. The school is successful in this endeavour. The headteacher's outstanding leadership has underpinned the rapid improvements made since the last inspection.

Characterised by both strength and humility, his vision for the school is embraced by the whole school community. Staff, pupils and parents and carers are phenomenally positive about the direction of the school, its leadership and the quality of education on offer. The governing body and the senior team provide excellent leadership, and strong support to the headteacher.

There is a high level of 'buy-in' t...o the caring and supportive ethos of the school. Pupils are typically courteous, polite, and show a deep level of respect for one another. Their behaviour is outstanding.

As a result of focused leadership, pupils now make good progress from their starting points, and their rate of progress continues to increase. The performance of disadvantaged pupils is improving rapidly and the gap between their achievement and that of others is narrowing. Teaching is good.

In many lessons teachers' excellent subject knowledge and skilful planning generate good learning and understanding. Pupils appreciate the strong and impartial guidance they receive as to their next steps after leaving school. The extra-curricular opportunities offered by the school are rich and varied.

These include a wide range of sporting, musical and dramatic clubs. It is not yet an outstanding school because : There is some variation in teachers' expectations of what pupils can achieve, and in the quality of feedback to pupils. The rates of progress that pupils make in English and mathematics are good, but not yet outstanding.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized secondary school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for support through pupil premium funding is below average. The pupil premium is additional funding for those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those children who are looked after by the local authority.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is above average. The school has developed a specialist 'hub' to support these pupils. The proportion of pupils who have support for special educational needs or disability is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is similar to the national average. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. No students attend alternative provision.

The school meets the government's floor standards, which set out the government's minimum standards for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 11. Since the previous inspection, a deputy headteacher has been appointed. All of the members of the governing body, including the chair, were not in position at the time of the last inspection.