St Philip Howard Catholic Voluntary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 January 2026

Pupils are part of a vibrant school community built on the ethos of togetherness and care. They are kept safe by staff who know them well. Pupils trust that adults will listen and help them, which gives them confidence that any concerns will be dealt with quickly. They describe the school as a 'family' and 'welcoming', where everyone works together. They say that these are major reasons why they enjoy coming to school. The school is calm and orderly. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the site. They understand the school's high expectations and respond positively to routines. Pupils treat each other well and bullying is rare. Relationships between pupils and staff are highly respectful. Pupils show pride in their work and are motivated to succeed. Pupils enjoy learning. Teachers explain new ideas clearly and check their understanding so that pupils can build knowledge over time. Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported to learn the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. Pupils value the help they receive from teaching assistants and the encouragement to become independent learners. Beyond lessons, pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities that help them thrive. They take part in sports teams, drama productions and a range of clubs that build teamwork and communication skills. Trips, such as the Barcelona visit in Year 10 and the Kenya expedition, broaden pupils' horizons and teach them resilience and empathy. Leaders make sure that disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND can join in. Pupils are encouraged to become leaders and contribute to school life. The student leadership team is highly respected and purposeful. Pupils act as wellbeing ambassadors, sports captains and mentors for younger pupils. These roles develop their confidence and responsibility, preparing pupils to play an active part in society.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to ensure that high-quality teaching is embedded across the school, including how well teachers adapt their teaching when needed, so that pupils achieve consistently highly across the curriculum.
• Leaders should continue their work to strengthen leadership expertise and improve their evaluation of the school's work, so that they can sustain improvement across all areas of provision.

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