St Augustine's Catholic Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 March 2025

This is a school in the heart of the community. Pupils arrive eagerly every day. Warm and caring relationships are its heartbeat. These help pupils feel safe in school. Pupils have faith that staff will look out for their needs, and they do. Staff want the very best for all pupils. They have high ambitions that when the time comes to leave the school, they will have reached their full potential. This extends further than just how well pupils have learned the curriculum. Staff also want pupils to be responsible, respectful and active members of their community, who have a secure understanding of right and wrong. This ambition is realised, including for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils' behaviour is impeccable. They understand the school rules well. They talk confidently about how respect for themselves, for others and for property underpins all they should say and do. Kind and caring staff model this for them, and pupils replicate it impressively. Many pupils arrive at different points throughout the year. Many also speak English as an additional language. The school offers a warm welcome and a safe haven that supports these pupils to settle and thrive in a deeply caring environment.

What the school should improve

• The school has not identified the precise gaps in learning of some pupils at the earlier stages of learning to read and write. They are sometimes given tasks that are too difficult for them to complete. This slows down their progress. The school should ensure they identify the precise barriers to learning that pupils have so staff can address these and support them in closing the gaps with their peers.

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