St Bede’s Catholic Middle School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The principal is relentless in his determination to provide the best possible education for all pupils. He commands the support of pupils, parents and staff.

Senior leaders and governors have created a school culture where pupils are encouraged and supported in order to achieve well academically and develop emotionally and socially. As a result, pupils are confident learners. Pupils benefit from teaching that mostly engages and stimulates them across subjects and year groups.

Some teaching in key stage 2, however, is less effective in challenging pupils to do their best. Teaching assistants work closely with teachers and, as a result, the...y are effective in supporting pupils who have special educational needs and or/disabilities. Senior leaders are thoroughly involved in checking the quality of teaching and they have high expectations.

As a result, middle leadership has improved and a strong emphasis is now placed on improving teaching within subject teams. Pupils leave Year 8 having made good progress in a range of subjects. They are well prepared for upper school.

Pupils are happy and are proud of their school. They enjoy coming to school and, as a result, attendance is above average. Safeguarding procedures are effective.

Pupils, parents and staff agree that the school provides a safe learning environment. Pupils told inspectors that they felt safe in school and well cared for by the adults who work there. The considerate behaviour of pupils in lessons and around the school creates a calm and orderly environment where pupils can work and socialise together harmoniously.

Leaders use accurate information on how well pupils are doing to identify who needs extra support, which is then provided swiftly and effectively. The overwhelming majority of staff expect pupils to work hard and take care with the presentation of their work. However, some teachers do not always ensure that pupils' handwriting is neat and that their work is well presented.

Differences between the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and other pupils nationally, although still evident at the end of key stage 2, have considerably diminished by the end of Year 8.

Information about this school

The school does not meet requirements on the publication of information about its most recent key stage 2 results on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish.

St Bede's Catholic Middle School converted to become an academy school on 1 September 2014. When its predecessor school, of the same name, was last inspected by Ofsted it was judged to be good overall. The school is now part of the Our Lady of Lourdes MAC (North Worcestershire).

This middle deemed secondary school has pupils in Years 5 to 8 and is smaller than the average-sized secondary school. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above average. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is above average.

The majority of pupils are of White British origin. A below-average proportion of pupils is eligible for additional government funding known as the pupil premium. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is above average.

The school meets the Department for Education's definition of a coasting school based on key stage 2 academic performance results in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The school does not make any use of alternative provision for pupils. The school does not meet the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' progress in reading, writing and mathematics.