Bishop Ullathorne School in Coventry has been praised for wanting pupils to be the ‘best they can be’

A secondary school in Coventry has been described as a ‘welcoming and caring school community’ where the values ​​of the ‘Ullahorne way’ are part of all aspects of school life and has received praise from Ofsted. Pupils are said to ‘enjoy the ethos of the school’ at Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School on Leasowe’s Avenue in Finham.

Inspectors visited the school on Tuesday 27 February and Wednesday 28 February. The school received an overall rating of “Good” in all five categories.

Inspectors say the school has high expectations and aspirations for pupils’ behavior and learning and wants them to be “the best person they can be”. They understand the importance of respect for others and the impact their choices have on everyone in the school.

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The students are said to be well behaved in lessons and almost all apply themselves to their learning. At recess and lunch, students enjoy each other’s company and there are warm relationships between staff and students. Sixth form students also enjoy taking on roles to support the school community, including reading with younger students and delivering diversity workshops.

Pupils also see the value of completing the ‘super-curricular’ activities on offer and appreciate the ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ wellbeing checks. There are also many clubs including choir, debating, Warhammer and various sports and many take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Prize. The curriculum is also enhanced by visits such as trips to a fashion exhibition in London and World War I trenches in Belgium.

Inspectors noted the school has an “ambitious and inclusive curriculum” which has been designed to ensure pupils’ knowledge develops over time. Key Stage 3 students enjoy a “rich learning experience” in the Design Arts and Technology Carousel, while Sixth Form students benefit from a wide range of A-level subjects.

Lessons at Bishop Ullathorne are characterized by teachers who know their subjects well and students who are eager to learn. Teachers are good at giving clear explanations and modeling thought processes, and students appreciate the helpful feedback they receive and know how to improve their work in their “DIRT” sessions.

Teachers also ensure that the learning tasks they set enable students to apply their learning independently, where students take pride in the work they produce. They help students practice the skills they need to demonstrate in their assessments at the end of Key Stages 4 and 5.

The school carefully identifies the needs of those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). ‘Student Support Plans’ help staff understand how they can adapt lessons to meet the needs of these pupils and because they do this well, pupils with SEND achieve well.

Inspectors added that the importance of reading is understood by both staff and pupils. The school uses a range of information to identify students who are not yet confident and fluent readers. These students then receive targeted interventions to help them make rapid progress. The school is currently working on how weaker readers can be fully supported in the curriculum.

The school’s pastoral work is described as “excellent”, where the pastoral staff know the pupils very well. Pupils also learn well about their roles and responsibilities in modern Britain and how to keep themselves safe through the personal, social, health, citizenship and economic curriculum.

Students receive useful career guidance and are well prepared for their next steps in life and education. Trustees and governors are diligent in ensuring the school meets its responsibilities and staff appreciate the way leaders consider their workload and wellbeing, they know the values ​​of the ‘Ullathorne way’ apply to both staff and pupils.

To see the full Ofsted report and previous inspections at Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School, visit the Ofsted website.

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