On the 28th and 29th November we were inspected by the Diocese. The two days were rigorous and intense but the outcome is really pleasing. The Catholic life of the school was judged as good with many examples of outstanding innovative practice. The leadership of Catholic life and collective worship was judged as outstanding. Religious Education was judged to be good. Overall we are judged as good with outstanding features. The main findings are:

• Since the last inspection the school has moved forward and can now be regarded as good in its Catholic life and RE with many outstanding features. Its motto ‘Aspire to be More’ is not limited to the students but covers all aspects of the school in its ambition to improve.
• The appointment of the head teacher has been crucial in giving the school a new direction and clarity in its forward planning for Catholic life and RE. He is an uncompromising witness to the Faith and fulfils his leadership role with vigour and determination.
• The Catholic life of the school is developing rapidly with many initiatives to involve students as leaders. The team of staff with direct responsibilities for Catholic life work successfully with the PICCL who is a senior leader and is meticulous in analysing feedback, in monitoring and evaluation, and in his thorough planning. The response of students is very positive and they grow in knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith, able to reflect on its implications for their own lives and take responsibility for their actions.
• Collective worship is a priority in the school and is a key way in which the spiritual lives of the students is developed. Attention is given to excellence in the twice weekly morning acts of worship. Form time worship has been developed along innovative lines to increase student planning, participation and monitoring.
• Senior leaders share in the responsibility for the Catholic life of the school. Experience of teaching RE enables valuable contributions to the issues surrounding new schemes of work and assessment.
• Chaplaincy is a strong feature of the school. The caring role of the lay chaplains contributes to the pastoral work of the school, and the Savio centre is a very positive development, giving extra opportunities for prayer. The priest chaplain is frequently in school and is highly supportive of initiatives. The links with his parish are long established and ever increasing.
• The school is benefitting from its new status in the All Saints Catholic Collegiate through joint in-service training days, and other events which bring the schools together for liturgical events and meetings. The academy committee members regard The RE department is working hard to embrace the new schemes of work and assessment structure with a team approach. The head of RE is proactive in his own training and able to cascade information to colleagues.
• Teaching in RE is mostly at least good and there is some outstanding work. Students are mostly very diligent in lessons and are keen to achieve well. There are very good relationships within the classroom, leading to good outcomes.
• Outcomes at GCSE in RE are in line with diocesan averages from a low attainment level on entry to Year 7, making progress rates very good. Careful tracking and analysis of results means that teachers are aware of how they need to plan for improvement. At A level there is a steady rise in uptake of the philosophy and ethics course and very positive results in the examinations.

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