St Mary's Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 27 January 2026

Pupils enjoy attending this caring and welcoming school. Positive relationships exist between staff and pupils. Staff mentors provide guidance and support, particularly for older pupils. Behaviour is improving. Pupils recognise these improvements. Most pupils are polite and respectful to each other and to the adults in school. Typically, pupils are developing positive attitudes to their learning. They behave well in lessons and at social times. Pupils are safe in school. They know there are many staff in school they can talk to if they have any worries. Pupils have no concerns about bullying. They acknowledge that if this did happen, staff would deal with it quickly. Pupils do not achieve as well as they should in public examinations. Improvements to the curriculum and teaching are starting to have a positive impact on pupils currently in the school. Staff are aware of the barriers to learning that many pupils who attend the school may face. Effective strategies to overcome these barriers are put in place. Most pupils feel well supported. They progress well through the curriculum from their starting points. Pupils are proud to contribute to the life of the school. Some are on the student council, while others enjoy being student librarians and helping with community events. The school provides a wide range of extra-curricular activities that an increasing number of pupils attend. For example, pupils enjoy attending drama and debate clubs, as well as a range of sporting clubs such as netball, football and rugby. Leaders have ensured that all pupils are able to access these activities. Pupils' attendance and punctuality are starting to improve. They are now attending more regularly than previously, although leaders recognise there is still further work to do.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that the checks used to identify and address gaps in pupils' learning are used consistently well across the school. • Leaders must ensure all pupils develop appropriate knowledge and skills across the curriculum so that they achieve as well as they should in national examinations. • Leaders should ensure that their actions to improve attendance are embedded and sustained so that attendance for all pupils continues to improve.

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