St Joseph's Catholic High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 May 2026

The school is ambitious for its pupils. It provides a nurturing environment in which pupils feel safe and can develop and grow. Leaders have established a welcoming and caring community that prioritises pupils' wellbeing and achievement. Pupils rise to the expectations that the school sets for them. Pupils achieve well and are prepared for their next steps because staff support both pupils' academic and personal development. Leaders work hard to help unlock pupils’ talents. Pupils enjoy an enriched curriculum with an array of opportunities to explore and deepen their learning. Pupils take part in competitions, workshops, events and the ‘electives’ enrichment programme. These activities help pupils to develop their interests and build empathy for others. The school encourages pupils to take leadership roles, and sixth-form students mentor younger pupils. Leaders have built a school community that fosters respect and kindness. Pupils thrive because they feel safe, cared for and included. Staff work together to support and care for pupils who may have barriers to their learning or wellbeing. Pupils follow well-established routines and instructions swiftly. They have positive relationships with staff. Conduct around the school site is calm and purposeful. Behaviour in class is highly conducive to learning. The school does not tolerate bullying and discrimination. If bullying or discrimination happen, leaders deal with these effectively. Pupils attend very well and enjoy their time at school. Leaders provide a balanced and broad curriculum. Teachers ably support pupils to develop their knowledge and skills. Leaders understand pupils’ barriers to learning well. Generally, pupils achieve well, especially in GCSEs. While some adaptations and adjustments could be further improved, disadvantaged pupils achieve highly. Students in the sixth form secure the qualifications they need to progress on to their next steps in education, employment or training.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should strengthen how teachers check pupils’ understanding so that misconceptions are addressed more precisely, and that they deepen pupils’ knowledge, including when teaching the personal development curriculum.
• Leaders should build on their approach to pupils’ writing so that expectations are high across the curriculum and pupils consistently develop the accuracy of their writing skills.
• Leaders should ensure that the adaptations and adjustments pupils need are consistently in place to a high standard so that they develop their learning to the depth that they are capable of.
• Leaders should further support sixth-form students’ readiness for their next steps, through both the progress they make and through their personal development programme in making them resilient and confident.

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