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Inspection Reports
“Pupils thrive because they feel safe, cared for and included” – St Joseph’s praised by Ofsted
St Joseph’s Catholic High School in Slough is celebrating a highly positive Ofsted outcome, with inspectors recognising the high quality of education and care across the school. The school was judged to meet the Expected Standard across all areas, with attendance and behaviour recognised as a Strong Standard.
Under Ofsted’s updated framework, the expected standard represents a significant and positive achievement. It confirms that a school is delivering securely across every area inspected and meeting the high expectations set for pupils’ education, welfare and personal development.
Educationalists say that the bar to reach expected standard exceeds what was Good under the old framework. A strong standard goes further, indicating that the measures in place are moving towards exceptional. Safeguarding requirements were also met.
Kelly Riddles, Head Teacher at St Joseph’s, said: “This is an impressive outcome and testament to our whole school community working together to make our school a place of true inclusion where students can thrive.
“Our school has consistently performed well by Ofsted standards, but this new framework is even more challenging. We are very proud to have demonstrated how St Joseph’s continues to progress year on year.”
In the latest report, inspectors praised the school’s positive culture. They highlighted its “nurturing environment”, where pupils “feel safe and can develop and grow”. Leaders were also commended for creating a “welcoming and caring community” that places pupils’ wellbeing at the centre of school life.
Attendance and behaviour were identified as particular strengths. Pupils’ attendance is well above the national average, and inspectors described pupils as “polite, courteous and highly respectful”. They also noted that pupils build “positive relationships with staff”.
Ms Riddles added: “Pupil wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, and we are delighted that this was recognised during the inspection. Feeling safe and supported is the best foundation for learning and our staff, supported by our amazing pupils and their families, go the extra mile to make this happen.”
Inspectors also highlighted several strengths:
- Pupils thrive because they feel safe, cared for and included.
- Pupils want to attend school because they enjoy being part of the school's positive, nurturing community.
- Pupils achieve well in their GCSE examinations.
- Pupils are well known at the school and feel a sense of belonging.
- Personal development is a significant feature of school life.
- Students enjoy an inclusive sixth-form learning environment.
- Relationships between staff and students are warm and respectful.
The school was also praised for its “extensive offer of enrichment”, which enables pupils to explore talents and interests beyond the classroom. The report notes that pupils benefit from a wide range of activities, including sport, Latin, chess, candle making, crochet and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Inspectors further noted that pupils are also encouraged to “serve the local community, engage with charity events and take pride in their accomplishments”.
Mark McLaughlin, CEO at St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust, added: “St Joseph’s has been part of our Trust for more than a decade and throughout that time the school has gone from strength to strength. It is fantastic to see that commitment to continuous improvement recognised once again by Ofsted.
“In fact, in a number of areas, we were just a short distance away from securing Strong Standard.
“We offer our warmest congratulations to everyone at St Joseph’s. This is well-deserved recognition for your achievements.”
To find out more about life at St Joseph’s or to enquire about school places, please visit the school website: www.st-josephs.slough.sch.uk
Share your views through Parent View
Parents and carers can give their views of our school at any time of the school year and at the time of a school inspection using an online questionnaire called Parent View.
When our school is notified of its next Ofsted inspection, parents will be invited to give their views about the school to inspectors using the Parent View online facility as this has replaced Ofsted’s paper questionnaire. Please make sure we have your most up-to-date contact details.
Please register with an email address and a password at https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk. Once your login has been activated, it only takes a few minutes to complete answers to 12 short questions about aspects such as bullying, the quality of teaching, level of homework, etc.
Your views are important in helping inspectors make a decision about our school, and to help us know what is going well and what could be improved.
If you do not have a computer or an email address or if you would like help to use Parent View, please come into school and ask at reception.
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