Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are safe and happy.

They achieve exceptionally well at this school. Pupils receive an education full of opportunities needed for them to thrive. This includes an ambitious, broad and engaging curriculum.

Pupils value the education they receive and work hard in lessons, benefitting from expert teaching. The inclusive ethos ensures that all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are supported and encouraged to be ambitious and confident learners.

The school prioritises pupils' wider development.

There are an extensive range of opportunities that nurture pupils' individual talents and interests. These ...include many sporting activities, music, drama, debating, chess and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Pupils relish these experiences and participation rates are high.

Spiritual and social development are an essential part of school life.

Behaviour is impeccable in lessons and around the school. Bullying is rare and dealt with swiftly.

Pupils feel safe and are taught how to be safe. The emphasis on community and respectful relationships is central to the school's ethos. Pupils are proud to be a member of this welcoming and harmonious school, where attendance rates are exceptionally high.

Pupils appreciate the support available to them and excel both, academically and in their character development.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders have relentless ambition, delivering an education that supports and encourages every pupil to fulfil their potential, both personally and academically. Leaders' vision threads through every aspect of the school's work.

The curriculum is ambitious and inclusive. It is delivered by well-trained, highly skilled teachers.

Teacher expertise ensures that learning is engaging.

Staff appreciate the high-quality professional development they receive. This helps all staff to plan and deliver high-quality learning. Teachers use resources carefully which promotes pupils' sustained focus and deeper understanding.

Teachers check pupils' understanding systematically and with precision. This ensures that pupils acquire a strong understanding of the subject content studied and apply this in increasingly complex contexts. For example, in physical education (PE), Year 7 pupils recalled how to warm up safely.

They described accurately the effects of exercise on the body, including an understanding of aerobic and anaerobic respiration, building on content learned in science. In the sixth form, the curriculum is expertly taught. This enables students to achieve exceptionally highly in their studies.

There is an emphasis on developing pupils' verbal communication across the school. Staff identify and address any gaps and misconceptions in pupils' learning quickly. Teachers adapt the curriculum effectively so that all pupils, including pupils with SEND, are well supported to make strong progress across the curriculum.

Pupils display excellent attitudes towards their learning. They are respectful to staff and their peers, considerate of other learners and eager to support one another. For example, pupils actively support the well-being of others.

There is a shared sense of ambition across the school. Lessons are focused on learning and there is no poor behaviour. The school has established high expectations and clear routines that ensure all pupils know what is expected of them.

Students in the sixth form are highly motivated and model high standards of behaviours that the school expects.

Reading is prioritised and promoted across the school. Pupils who struggle with reading receive effective support, so that they rapidly develop the literacy skills required to access the rest of the curriculum.

Pupils enjoy access to the library and whole school events that celebrate literature and encourage reading for pleasure.

Personal development is exemplary and central to the school's values. The school goes beyond the expected, so that pupils access a wide, rich set of experiences, which includes serving on the school council and organising charitable events.

Students in the sixth form actively contribute to the leadership of the school. For instance, through the 'Big Sister' programme and the 'Racial Justice' team. They willingly take assemblies that address themes, such as racism and sexism.'

Aspire' provides targeted experiences for pupils' future aspirations, such as university trips and visiting speakers, so that all pupils learn about future options available to them. Pupils receive a comprehensive careers programme focused on expert careers information and guidance.

Staff are proud to work at the school and appreciate the regular communication and support for staff well-being.

Governors have a forensic understanding of the school and share the ambitious vision held by leaders at all levels. Parents and carers are very positive about the education their children receive at this school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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