St Nicholas Catholic High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Pupils' attainment across many subjects is high. The proportion of pupils who achieve a standard pass, or a strong pass, in English and mathematics is well above the national average. Provisional data for 2018 indicates that pupils made strong progress across a range of subjects, including science, religious education (RE), modern foreign languages and humanities.

They made good progress in English. Current pupils across key stages 3 and 4 make good progress overall. Conversely, pupils' progress in mathematics declined significantly in 2018.

Leaders have taken swift action to address the issues causing the decline. Nevertheless, there is ...still more to do to improve pupils' progress in this subject. Lower-ability and middle-ability pupils make very good progress from their starting points.

However, teachers do not consistently challenge the most able pupils to excel. Disadvantaged pupils make very strong progress in English and science. However, although improving quickly, these pupils do not make the progress that they are capable of in some subjects.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make consistently good progress from their starting points. Children looked after make strong progress. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a key strength.

Students in the sixth form make good progress from their starting points. This is because of good-quality teaching, effective leadership and good standards of behaviour and attendance. The headteacher has ensured that the curriculum is well planned and meets most pupils' needs.

An increasing proportion of pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, study the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). The quality of teaching across the school is consistently good. Leaders ensure that there is a continual emphasis on improving the quality of teaching and learning.

Leaders and governors have an accurate view of the school's effectiveness. Some governors have been too focused on the day-to-day issues facing the school. They have not had a strategic overview of school improvement.

School improvement planning is sharply focused on the key actions that will further improve the school. However, plans do not contain enough milestones by which governors can measure the impact of leaders' work. Pupils' behaviour and attendance are good.

Leaders have successfully improved the attendance of disadvantaged pupils. Careers education, information, advice and guidance are excellent. There is a strong culture of safeguarding.

Pastoral support is a key strength.

Information about this school

St Nicholas Catholic High School is larger than the average-sized secondary school, with a sixth form. A new headteacher was appointed to the school in 2017.

The school has a specialist resourced provision. It is a local authority funded provision for pupils with autism who have an education, health and care plan. There are currently 12 pupils on roll from ages 11 to 16.

However, overall, the proportion of pupils with SEND in the school is lower than that found nationally. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is lower than that found nationally. A small number of pupils are educated at alternative providers.

The school makes use of Reaseheath College and Fermain Academy. The school is a Roman Catholic voluntary aided school that is part of the Diocese of Shrewsbury. The school was last inspected under section 48 of the Education Act 2005 in May 2017.

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