Ofsted inspectors praise ‘outstanding’ education and ‘exemplary’ behaviour at St Mary’s Catholic School

The education at St Mary’s Catholic School in Bishop’s Stortford has been judged outstanding by Ofsted.

Inspectors also gave the highest rating to pupils’ behaviour and attitudes.

The Windhill secondary was rated ‘good’ for personal development, leadership and management, and for sixth form provision after the watchdog scrutinised students and staff over two days in October.

In their report published today (Friday, November 29) inspectors noted: “The quality of education pupils receive is exceptional.

“The curriculum is well-designed and commonly understood. Teachers have the expertise to deliver subject content highly effectively. As a result, pupils achieve consistently highly in public examinations.”

Inspectors also reported: “The culture of positive behaviour at St Mary’s is remarkable. Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary.

“Pupils are universally polite, considerate and welcoming. Pupils attend school regularly because they enjoy, and benefit from, the high-quality education they receive.

“Sixth-form students act as positive role models to younger pupils. This is a position they take seriously. They comment that they have greater independence and that they are well prepared for future study and/or employment.”

The inspection was the first at the school since it became part of the St Francis of Assisi Trust, a family of eight Catholic schools in the Roman Catholic deanery of the Lea Valley.

It was previously rated outstanding in 2012, but since September schools have not been awarded an overall effectiveness grade by Ofsted.

Head Deidre McHugh, who took the helm this year after Tom Johnston stepped down, said: “Our whole school community is very proud of our recent inspection.

“We are delighted that the report encapsulated our realisation of outstanding quality of education and recognises the dedication of our teaching staff in ensuring and securing excellent teaching and learning for our students.

“We are equally proud of the outstanding judgement on behaviour and attitudes, which we believe shows our Gospel values are at the heart and root of all that we do.

“As a school, we continue to work hard and build on the solid foundations of this report and live by our mission statement of ‘excellence for all’.”

Chair of governors Paul Carroll added: “We are delighted that the excellence of the school and its commitment to high-quality Catholic education has been recognised by Ofsted.

“This hard work of all involved was also recognised in the report, with the inspectors noting ‘The energy, determination and tenacity of school leaders and the trust are bringing about effective and sustained improvements for pupils’.

“As a school, we still have work to do, but it is gratifying to see that all the efforts are making a real difference.”

The inspectors highlighted just one area for improvement at the secondary with 1,153 pupils including 160 sixth-form students.

Their report said: “The school has not delivered some aspects of the PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education) curriculum as strongly or effectively as many others.

“As a result, some pupils’ knowledge of some areas of PSHE is less secure. The school should continue to review and evaluate the effectiveness of its new PSHE curriculum.”