St Bede’s Inter-Church School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils swell with pride when they talk about their school. They flourish in a harmonious, safe and happy environment. Pupils benefit from deeply embedded Christian values that underpin the school's culture.

They place high regard on how this enriches their lives and learning. Pupils live these values in their daily interactions around school. They behave extremely well.

Pupils know it is wrong to be unkind to anyone. They do not tolerate any behaviour of this kind. They are highly respectful to each other, staff and visitors.

Pupils know that all adults want them to achieve the highest levels of success. Pupils' respond to this aspiration with an equally high... determination to succeed. They are highly motivated and work extremely hard.

As a result, pupils produce work of the highest quality and achieve exceptionally well.

There is a plethora of cultural, intellectual and sporting opportunities available for pupils to take part in. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are encouraged to take part.

No one is left out. Many of the clubs are set up and managed by pupils themselves. This is reflective of the high levels of trust that exist between the school and pupils.

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

The school has planned a highly ambitious curriculum for all pupils. The programmes of study meet and, at times, go further than the requirements of the national curriculum. The school carefully checks what pupils know when they arrive.

This information is used to ensure all pupils, including those with SEND, make progress right from when they start school.

Subject experts have carefully planned the order that pupils should learn important information. Curriculum plans build in time for pupils to revisit and recall prior learning.

This helps pupils remember what they have been taught before and build on what they already know.

The school has ensured that teachers have been trained in the best methods to deliver their subjects to meet pupils' needs. Teachers use this training exceptionally well.

They present information clearly. Complex ideas are expertly broken into small manageable pieces. Well-constructed learning activities help pupils secure each individual piece of knowledge before moving on.

Teachers check carefully what pupils know at each stage. If pupils need more support, teachers make adjustments immediately. This means that pupils engage with learning activities with confidence.

They produce high-quality written responses. Pupils can precisely articulate what they have learned. They achieve extremely well.

Many pupils are avid readers. The library is abuzz with pupils who are keen to share the joy of the latest book they have read. Those who need extra support with reading are quickly identified.

They get targeted support, which helps them develop into confident and fluent readers.

Support for pupils with SEND is highly effective. SEND specialists know pupils and their families extremely well.

They use this knowledge to develop plans that help teachers address specific learning barriers. Teachers use this information effectively to support pupils with SEND. Consequently, pupils with SEND learn and achieve successfully alongside their peers.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. There are exceptional relationships between adults and pupils. There is warmth and encouragement in every classroom.

This strengthens pupils' already positive attitude to learning. In the rare cases when pupils struggle to meet the school's high expectations, they are helped to improve. Pupils attend regularly and often.

The development of pupils' character through the personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme is exceptional. The programme is given high regard by pupils. They develop a deep and rich awareness of the world around them.

They learn how to keep themselves and each other safe. Pupils engage and celebrate a variety of beliefs and faiths. This helps create a school family, where all are warmly welcomed.

Pupils have access to a well-thought-out careers programme. They use the information they gain from this programme to make well informed choices. Consequently, they are highly successful in the next steps of their education or training.

There is strong leadership at all levels. Leaders are continually looking for ways to improve pupils' experiences. Governors know the school extremely well and provide robust challenge to leaders.

Staff are exceptionally proud to work at the school. They value how leaders and governors support them, personally and professionally.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.