St Cuthbert's High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 February 2024

Pupils benefit from the school's vision of 'forming great men'. They enjoy a variety of thoughtful opportunities to develop their character. Pupils are happy and show commitment to their learning. They have comprehensive pastoral support. They feel safe at school. Pupils' quality of education is a central priority in the school. Leaders have high expectations for pupils' achievement. Pupils increasingly benefit from a relentless focus on improving the curriculum. Students in the sixth form have a positive educational experience. They develop expert knowledge about the subjects they study. Pupils, including sixth-form students, are clear that behaviour has improved significantly. They enjoy a culture of clear expectations. Pupils are proud of the journey of improvement since the last inspection. Pupils behave well in lessons and around school during social times. They show respect for others. Pupils and staff do not tolerate bullying and discrimination. Pupils' experience extends beyond the academic curriculum. They enjoy access to a wide range of clubs and activities. Students in the sixth form take part in timetabled enrichment sessions. These include political debates, learning Mandarin and professional sports coaching. Pupils' personal development is also supported by high-quality careers advice.

What the school should improve

• Recent work to improve the quality of the curriculum is not securely embedded across all key stages. Some pupils, including those with SEND, do not achieve as well as they could. The school should intensify actions to implement the revised curriculum.
• Assessment is not consistent across the school. This limits the understanding the school has about the impact of some elements of curriculum on pupils' learning. The school should continue its work to embed a consistent approach to assessment.

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