Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy

Inspection of Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy Bluestone Lane, Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire DE15 9SD

p.1

Inspection dates: 18 and 19 January 2023

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Previous inspection grade Not previously inspected under section 5 of the Education Act 2005 18 and 19 January 2023

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are extremely proud to be part of this highly ambitious school. The ‘Sutton Way’, which focuses on academic excellence, spiritual development and social excellence, permeates throughout.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders have the highest expectations for their pupils. They ensure that pupils receive a high-quality education. Staff meet the needs of all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), exceptionally well.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Staff welcome pupils warmly into school each morning. Relationships between adults and pupils are positive and respectful. Pupils behave very well in lessons and around school. They exhibit the school’s values of kindness, love and respect consistently. Pupils feel safe here. They know who to talk to if they have a concern. Poor behaviour and bullying are never tolerated.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are highly focused in lessons and are keen to participate. They learn well because teaching is very effective. Teachers are highly knowledgeable. Pupils enjoy their lessons and are successful in many subjects.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils welcome opportunities to extend their experiences beyond the academic curriculum. The vast majority participate in the wide range of extra-curricular activities the school provides.

p.2

better?

The headteacher has brought about phenomenal change across the whole school since her appointment. She and her senior team provide exceptional leadership. They lead by example, with sensitive and calm authority. They know what is best for their pupils.

p.2

better?

The curriculum is very broad and ambitious. The vast majority of pupils now study the suite of subjects that make up the English baccalaureate in key stage 4. Subject leaders have carefully planned the curriculum so that pupils can learn new knowledge in a highly structured way. Lessons are extremely well sequenced to ensure that pupils build on what they have learned before.

p.2

better?

Teachers plan lessons exceptionally well. They are aware that some pupils may not have had many opportunities to develop their wider knowledge of the world. They therefore provide pupils with additional information to supplement their learning. For example, in English, when pupils study Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, they also learn about life in Victorian England in order to understand the time period in which the text was written.

p.2

better?

In lessons, teachers use a range of effective strategies and high-quality resources. They check pupils’ understanding frequently so no one is left behind. This ensures 18 and 19 January 2023 that pupils learn and remember what they have been taught. As a result, almost all pupils, including those with SEND, achieve exceptionally well.

p.2

better?

Leaders recognise that reading and literacy are key to high achievement. Pupils read in every lesson and four times a week in form time. For pupils who are struggling with reading, staff provide them with extra support. This support is proving to be successful. In many subjects, pupils have regular opportunities to develop their extended writing skills.

p.3

better?

Pupils have highly positive attitudes to their learning. They fully concentrate in lessons and low-level disruptive behaviour is rare. Pupils say that, on the odd occasion bullying happens, it is dealt with and resolved quickly. Pupils attend school regularly and punctuality levels are very high for all pupils. They love coming to school.

p.3

better?

Leaders provide a highly effective personal, social, and health education programme. Pupils understand the importance of healthy relationships and good physical and mental health. They know how to keep themselves safe online. Where pupils may experience emotional and mental health problems, leaders provide bespoke support. For example, pupils can spend time with the school’s well-being dogs. Pupils also have a strong understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion. They accept that individuals can be themselves.

p.3

better?

Leaders provide pupils with effective careers advice and guidance. Year 9 pupils were highly positive about the recent careers fair they attended. By the end of Year 11, pupils are very well prepared for their next steps.

p.3

better?

Leaders have taken practical steps to manage staff workload and to look after their well-being. They prioritise high-quality professional development for all staff. Teachers are experts in their practice and other staff are highly competent in their roles. Staff are extremely proud to work at the school.

p.3

better?

Governance is a real strength of the school. Governors know the school very well and visit regularly. They hold leaders strongly to account and ensure that they fulfil their statutory duties.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders are vigilant in maintaining a constant focus on the safety and well-being of pupils. They ensure that all staff receive regular training to ensure that pupils are kept as safe as possible. They know the signs that could indicate a pupil is at risk of harm.

p.3

Safeguarding

Pupils feel confident in reporting a concern to a member of staff. Staff are clear about the school’s processes for reporting a concern. Leaders always act quickly to 18 and 19 January 2023 put support in place for pupils. They work well with external agencies when necessary.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders carry out thoroughly the required checks on the suitability of all staff to work at the school.

p.4

How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

p.4

How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

p.4

Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

p.4

Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ refers to those pupils who attract government pupil premium funding: pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years and pupils in care or who left care through adoption or another formal route. 18 and 19 January 2023

p.4

School details

Inspection number 10256819 Type of school Secondary comprehensive

p.5

School details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

p.5

Information about this school

 The school joined the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi-Academy Trust in September 2018.  The new headteacher started in September 2019.  The school makes use of two registered alternative providers.  The school meets the requirements of the Baker Clause. This means that pupils in Years 8 to 13 receive information about the full range of education and training options open to them. This includes opportunities for a range of education and training providers to speak to pupils about technical and education qualifications and apprenticeships.

p.5

Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

p.5

Information about this inspection

 This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school. 18 and 19 January 2023  During the inspection, inspectors held discussions with the headteacher and other leaders, including leaders from the trust, curriculum and pastoral leaders, and the special educational needs coordinator.  The inspectors talked to pupils to find out their views on behaviour, safety and relationships.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in English, mathematics, science and art. For each of these subjects, inspectors met with subject leaders and teachers, carried out visits to lessons, spoke to pupils and looked at their work. They also looked at other subjects to check how they are planned and taught.  Inspectors also attended an assembly and visited tutor periods.

p.5

Information about this inspection

 Inspectors met with teachers and spoke to pupils formally and informally throughout the inspection. Inspectors took account of responses to pupil and staff surveys, as well as to Ofsted Parent View.  Inspectors observed informal times of the day to evaluate safeguarding and pupils’ behaviour.  Inspectors reviewed records of behaviour and bullying incidents, attendance and safeguarding.  Inspectors checked the school’s approach to safeguarding, including recruitment and policy documents, and held a meeting with the designated safeguarding leader.

p.6

Inspection team

Nicola Walters, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

p.6

Inspection team

Mike Onyon Ofsted Inspector 18 and 19 January 2023 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection team

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7