St Bede’s pupils impress Ofsted

The pupils were the stars, when Ofsted inspectors praised the children’s behaviour in their report on St Bede’s Catholic Primary in Bedlington.

The children were said to “understand the school’s high expectations for behaviour” and to “behave calmly and respectfully”.

“They play cooperatively at breaktimes and behave well in the dining hall, chatting with friends and using cutlery correctly,” said the report. “In lessons, pupils behave well, and the exciting curriculum is beginning to develop their enthusiasm for learning. The new enhanced provision for pupils with SEND [Special Educational Needs or Disabilities] is already having a positive impact on the behaviour of those who attend.”

The school’s revised curriculum was also singled out by the inspectors, who described it as “well sequenced across all subjects and year groups”.

“Reading is the foundation of the school’s curriculum,” they noted. “Staff deliver the phonics programme expertly, and pupils move through the programme at pace to become fluent early readers.

“The mathematics curriculum is also well established. Staff help pupils use their multiplication tables confidently so they can solve more complex multiplication and division problems.

“Pupils progress well across the curriculum from their starting points. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities make secure progress throughout the curriculum because staff match adaptations closely to their needs.”

“Leaders have high expectations of all pupils,” they continued. “The school meets the needs of individual pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, increasingly well. Pupils are excited to learn the school’s new curriculum, which is delivered by highly trained staff.

“Pupils show positive attitudes to learning throughout the school. The standards they are reaching in reading, writing and mathematics continue to improve year-on-year.”

St Bede’s ethos of inclusivity was also recognised in the report, which stated: “The school’s well-planned approach to personal development and wellbeing begins in the early years. The inclusive approach is rooted in the school’s values and its comprehensive personal, social and health education curriculum… Pupils learn about healthy relationships, and the youngest children understand the different types of families in modern Britain.”

Mention was also made of the strong, extra-curricular offering at the school.

“The well-sequenced curriculum is enhanced by regular educational visits and visitors,” reported the inspectors. “Pupils value the wide range of extra-curricular clubs on offer.

“Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, attend a wide range of sporting, cultural and academic clubs. The multi-skills club, supported by the Newcastle United Foundation, is particularly popular… Pupils understand diversity and know that everyone is welcome at St Bede’s.

“Their knowledge of other cultures is promoted well through planned events such as Black History Month and links with a village in Kenya… Educational visits to libraries, museums and theatres broaden their cultural knowledge.”

“Pupils are proud to be part of the community of learning at St Bede’s,” they added. “They feel safe in school and behave well… They understand individual differences and treat everyone with tolerance.”

Executive Headteacher Laura Fallon was gratified with the report’s findings.

“We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection, and incredibly proud of our whole school community,” she said. “The report reflects the hard work, dedication, and care shown every day by our staff, pupils, governors, and families.

“What makes us especially proud is the recognition given to our children. The inspectors saw what we see every day at St Bede’s – pupils who are kind, respectful, enthusiastic learners, and who truly embody our school values. Their behaviour, attitudes to learning, and inclusivity were rightly celebrated throughout the report.”

“We were also pleased to see that the inspectors recognised the strength of our curriculum, our commitment to supporting every child to succeed, and the positive impact of our enhanced provision for pupils with SEND,” she continued. “At St Bede’s, we are determined that every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to achieve their very best.

“We are committed to providing a rich and ambitious education that develops children academically, socially, and spiritually. We are grateful for the continued support of our parents, carers, parish, and wider community, who play such an important role in the life of our school.

“The report is a wonderful affirmation of the journey we are on, and we look forward to continuing to build on these successes for all our pupils.”