Cardinal Newman Catholic High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 November 2022

Pupils are proud to be part of this happy and welcoming school. They feel valued by leaders. Leaders have high expectations of pupils' behaviour and achievement. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), rise well to these expectations. They enjoy learning and they achieve well. Staff foster positive and encouraging relationships with pupils. Pupils feel well supported and cared for by their teachers. This helps pupils to feel safe. They know that staff will resolve any issues, should they arise. Leaders deal with any incidents of bullying swiftly and effectively. Pupils do their best to live out the school's core values in their day-to-day interactions with each other and with staff. Pupils behave well. They are polite and respectful. Pupils socialise happily together at breaktimes and lunchtimes. During lessons, pupils show a keen interest in their learning and they work hard. Pupils benefit from a wealth of opportunities to extend their learning beyond the taught curriculum. These include activities such as dancemania, science and sports clubs. Pupils enjoy taking part in many excursions and visits, including a trip to Iceland and a 'horror walk' around London. Pupils relish the opportunity to take on different responsibilities such as representing their peers on the school council, being a prefect or a librarian.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, there are occasions when teachers' use of assessment strategies is not effective enough in identifying pupils' misconceptions or pinpointing the gaps in their knowledge. This hinders pupils in building on what they know already and learning the curriculum as well as they could. Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment strategies effectively so that pupils know and remember more of what they are taught.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)