St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 March 2023

Leaders are ambitious and care for the pupils at St Thomas à Beckett. Leaders are aware of the wide catchment they serve and work to minimise any barriers to pupils' education. For example, leaders have supported pupils with transport arrangements when the existing service was removed. Recently appointed leaders have raised staff's expectations for pupils by introducing a reviewed curriculum and behaviour policy. Pupils are beginning to meet these higher expectations. Pupils can access a wide range of opportunities, both academically and as extra- curricular activities. They can study Latin and take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award programme. There is an active student leadership group, who regularly meet with leaders to share pupils' views of the school. Pupils know that the staff want the best for them. Pupils behave well and are polite to all members of the school community. Bullying is rare. When it does happen, staff resolve it fairly and quickly. Pupils feel nurtured at this school. They can access pastoral support easily. Leaders have ensured a strong culture of safeguarding in which pupils feel happy and safe. They are proud to attend this school. There are strong, positive relationships between pupils and staff. One pupil summed up the views of many, saying this is a school where 'everyone is loved'.

What the school should improve

• Occasionally, some activity choices do not help pupils to remember the intended content. This means that pupils do not develop a depth of understanding in some subjects. Leaders should work with teachers to enable them to employ the most effective teaching strategies and check that pupils have remembered what they are taught. Academy 3
• Leaders do not analyse the impact of their actions carefully enough. They have not recognised that some of the recent changes, such as the curriculum review and behaviour policy, have variable impact for specific groups of pupils. Leaders and staff should evaluate the effectiveness of their recent improvements to see how it is impacting on specific groups of pupils.

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