Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 March 2025

Pupils enjoy attending this warm and welcoming school. They take huge pride in their own and their friends' successes. Pupils know that staff value these achievements as much as they do themselves. This helps secure a culture that is rich with a sense of togetherness and belonging. The school's values weave through every aspect of school life. Staff routinely model these values. This helps pupils to achieve the high standards of behaviour the school expects. Pupils place high regard on the importance and acceptance of individuality. They are tolerant and respectful of each other and they grow into young people who want to make a positive contribution to their community. Pupils rise to the challenge of high academic expectation set by their teachers. Pupils apply themselves determinedly to achieve these aspirational goals. They are attentive in class. They produce written work that is of high quality and reflects the depth of their understanding. Pupils take on responsibility enthusiastically. These pupils are role models for others. They take their responsibilities seriously and are proud of the contribution they make. Peer mentors help resolve feelings of upset in a sensitive way. Pupil librarians encourage pupils to read more and value books and stories.

What the school should improve

• The checks made on pupils' understanding, and how staff use this information, lack a degree of accuracy. As a result, pupils are not always moved on to the next stage of learning when they are ready. This results in some pupils not learning the curriculum in the depth intended. The school and trust should ensure that staff have the expertise to accurately check what pupils know and use this information to move pupils on when they are ready.
• Sometimes, the adaptations made for pupils with SEND lack the precision needed to help them keep up with the curriculum. As a result, some strategies lack the intended impact and some pupils with SEND do not learn as deeply and securely as the school expects. The school and trust should ensure that staff have the knowledge and expertise to identify precisely pupils' individual barriers to learning and develop and implement strategies to help them learn the curriculum as intended.

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