St. Mary’s Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Inclusivity is at the heart of this exceptional school. Pupils consistently display the school values of faithfulness, humility, truth, forgiveness, tolerance, dignity, service and respect. Pupils form excellent relationships with staff.

Staff care about the pupils. Pupils feel safe at school.

The school has exceptionally high expectations for the academic achievement of its pupils.

Pupils achieve outcomes across subjects that are significantly above national averages. Pupils are very well prepared for their next steps in education. They are aspirational and positive about their future.

Many sixth-form students go on to attend top universities, inclu...ding Oxbridge.

Pupils' conduct is exemplary. Pupils learn to be independent and resilient learners.

This helps prepare them for their future studies. Pupils display an enthusiasm for learning and a thirst for knowledge in many classrooms.

The school has a special relationship with a partner school in South Africa.

Pupils from South Africa visit the school. Pupils raise money for a charity linked to the partner school. A small number of pupils each year have the chance to visit the school in South Africa.

These opportunities offer life changing experiences for pupils from both schools.

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

The school has developed a highly ambitious curriculum. It is broad and balanced and, in many areas such as history, exceeds the breadth of the national curriculum.

A high proportion of pupils follow the English Baccalaureate pathway. The curriculum is designed well to meet pupils' needs. Teachers are experts in their subjects.

They take care to adapt their lessons to meet the needs of learners. The school has developed teaching strategies that help pupils to retain knowledge over time. Staff implement these consistently across the school.

Teachers regularly check pupils' learning and address any gaps in knowledge that they have. As a result, pupils have an excellent understanding of the curriculum. Pupils' work is of a consistently high standard.

Reading is a priority at the school. The school identifies the individual needs of pupils who struggle to read. These pupils receive support to catch up with their peers.

This support is highly effective. Pupils become confident and fluent readers. The school promotes a love of reading through regular form time reading activities and a 'big read' each half term.

The school quickly identifies pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school provides exceptional support for disadvantaged pupils. Staff know these pupils extremely well.

They provide bespoke support for each pupil to enable them to successfully access the curriculum. A small number of pupils with SEND access a bespoke curriculum. This curriculum meets the pupils' individual needs.

Disadvantaged pupils achieve extremely well at the school.

The sixth form offers a wide range of options for its students. The curriculum and its delivery mirrors the quality of the rest of the school.

Students debate advanced topics in subjects such as further mathematics and chemistry. Opportunities such as the 'Our Lady of Mount Carmel Diploma', an enrichment afternoon and a partnership with a local football club enrich the curriculum. Students are well prepared for life beyond the sixth form.

The school leaves no stone unturned to ensure that attendance is high. Staff consistently apply an effective system to support pupils who are struggling with their attendance. As a result, attendance is above national averages and is improving.

Low-level disruption is extremely rare at the school. If it does occur, staff apply an embedded and effective behaviour system.

The school's personal development offer is exceptional.

The key stage 3 baccalaureate provides opportunities within and outside the curriculum for pupils to develop and display the school's values. Many pupils take on leadership roles. The school parliament involves 150 pupils from key stages 3 and 4.

They help to make meaningful decisions about the future of the school. The key stage 4 sport leaders take extra qualifications to enable them to support younger pupils with SEND to access sporting opportunities. These opportunities help pupils develop their understanding of the fundamental British values and their leadership skills.

Pupils receive structured careers advice from key stage 3 to the end of the sixth form. This helps them to make informed choices about their futures.

Governors and trustees have a diverse skill set that enables them to support and challenge school leaders effectively.

The school provides a comprehensive professional development programme for staff. The school leads the staff well-being charter across the trust. This keeps staff workload high on leaders' agenda.

Staff feel listened to and valued at the school. Staff at all levels are proud of the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.