Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy rockets to become an ‘OUTSTANDING’ school in all categories, as graded by Ofsted.
We are immensely proud to announce that we have been judged by Ofsted to be an Outstanding school in all categories, following an inspection on 18 and 19 January 2023.
Previously rated Requires Improvement, the academy has undergone rapid transformation thanks to the relentless determination of leaders and staff in the school, the Trust, and the support of the local governing body.
Inspectors said that pupils are extremely proud to be part of this “highly ambitious school’ and that leaders have the highest expectations for pupils, who receive a “high quality” education.
The ‘Sutton Way’ was highlighted in the report, which focuses on academic excellence, spiritual development and social excellence and permeates throughout the school.
“Staff meet the needs of all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, exceptionally well. Staff welcome pupils warmly into school each morning. Relationships between adults and pupils are positive and respectful,” inspectors said.
The report said that pupils behave very well in lessons and around school and that they consistently exhibit the school’s values of kindness, love and respect.
“Pupils feel safe here. They know who to talk to if they have a concern. Poor behaviour and bullying are never tolerated. 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,” inspectors said.
Headteacher Miss O’Leary was said to have brought about “phenomenal change” across the whole school since her appointment in 2019.
Inspectors said: “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.”
The curriculum at the school, which is part of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, was described as “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 pupils build on what they have learned before. Teachers plan lessons exceptionally well,” inspectors said.
Pupils’ understanding is checked frequently so that “no child is left behind” and teachers use a range of effective strategies and high quality resources to ensure that almost all pupils, including those with SEND, achieve exceptionally well, Ofsted said.
“Pupils have highly positive attitudes to their learning. They fully concentrate in lessons and low-level disruptive behaviour is rare. Pupils attend school regularly and punctuality levels are very high for all pupils. They love coming to school,” inspectors said.
The school’s personal, social and health education programme was described as “highly effective” and inspectors said that leaders provide pupils with effective careers advice and guidance, meaning that they are very well prepared for their next steps by the end of Year 11.
Inspectors said that safeguarding arrangements at the school were effective and that governance was a real strength of the school. They also said that staff are extremely proud to work at Blessed Robert Sutton.
Miss O’Leary said: “We have been on a mission to provide an excellent education for all of our wonderful students, which we have achieved with the support of our phenomenal, dedicated staff, the parents and carers of our students and governors.
“I am extremely proud of this report and the education we provide for all students at Robert Sutton. The outcome of this inspection is testament to the efforts of our entire school community, especially the hard work and positive attitude of our students and the commitment and service of our staff team.
“Given that the new inspection framework is much more rigorous and judgements harder to achieve, combined with the ongoing demands of the pandemic, it makes it even more pleasing that inspectors did not identify any areas for development.”
John Rimmer, Chair of Governors, said: “The Governors are incredibly proud of everything that has been achieved by the Headteacher, staff and pupils since the last inspection. It is a phenomenal achievement to produce such a big improvement in the performance of the school in such a short space of time.”
Kevin Gritton, Chief Executive Officer of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted for the whole school community that the school has been graded as Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. It is an incredible achievement and we know how much hard work has gone into this from Miss O’Leary and all of the staff, governors and pupils. It is also fantastic news for Blessed Robert Sutton pupils who start their journey at partner schools in our Trust, St Edward’s and Holy Rosary. As a Trust we will continue to support Blessed Robert Sutton, to ensure that the school continues to go from strength to strength.”
Read the full report here: Ofsted-Report-2023-BRS.pdf (srscmat.co.uk)
