St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 January 2023

Leaders have ensured that the Mercy ethos of this Catholic school is an important aspect of this caring and welcoming school. The uniqueness of every pupil is celebrated and nurtured. This is a calm and harmonious school where pupils receive a good quality of education and are increasingly well-prepared for their next steps. New school leaders are taking the right actions to make further improvements to what pupils, including those in the sixth form, experience. Pupils know that they are safe and looked after by caring adults who have their best interests at heart. Pupils know that if they had any concerns or worries, they could go to a trusted adult who would help them. The great majority of pupils behave well in lessons and around school. This is a happy school, with respectful relationships. Bullying rarely happens. When it does, leaders take swift action. Staff provide plentiful opportunities for pupils to take part in new and varied experiences. Some pupils have leadership roles in school, such as being a 'transition buddy' and others have been trained as 'peer mentors'. Pupils are rightly proud of the many ways that they contribute to both the school and wider community.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, leaders have not fully mapped out the important subject- specific concepts that teachers need to teach. This means that pupils learn less in some subjects than in others. Leaders should work with teachers to map out and teach the key substantive and disciplinary knowledge that pupils need to know.
• The PSHE curriculum is not securely embedded. Some pupils cannot recall important knowledge. Leaders should continue to develop this curriculum to ensure that the important messages it contains further enhances pupils' personal development.

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