St George’s Catholic Voluntary Academy has been graded Outstanding by Catholic schools inspectors.
The school, in Littleover, Derby, underwent its Catholic Schools Inspectorate inspection, which is the national framework for the inspection of Catholic schools, over two days in November 2025.
The overall quality of Catholic education provided by the school, Catholic life and mission, religious education and collective worship were all graded Outstanding.
Inspectors said: “The dedicated and focused leadership provided by the genuinely inspirational headteacher, and her impressive senior leadership team, ensures that this school is always striving to improve. Leaders continuously seek new ideas which will positively enhance the experiences of pupils and improve the outcomes they achieve academically, spiritually and as children of God.”
The report said that the behaviour and attitudes of pupils were truly exemplary.
“They (pupils) undertake a wide range of valuable leadership roles, demonstrating genuine respect and support for one another. They know they are valued and cared for by the adults with whom they spend their days,” inspectors said.
Catholic social teaching and the school’s mission are deeply embedded in the fabric of the school and everything it does, according to the report.
Inspectors said: “These values are celebrated, and implemented in tangible ways within the school community, the parish, the local area, nationally, and globally.
“Religious education lessons are challenging and well thought through, so that all pupils, including those who find learning more difficult, can be fully included and attain high standards of skills and knowledge.”
Pupils at St George’s clearly know they are valued and cared for as unique persons, created by God, the report said.
“They exhibit highly positive attitudes to school life, having understood and embraced the values of kindness, respect, faith, perseverance, acceptance and service. They understand the theology, in child-friendly terms, of the Catholic mission of the school, and how they can help to implement it. Their behaviour is exemplary, and they have deep respect for themselves and others,” inspectors said.
Pupils demonstrate excellent knowledge, understanding and skills in religious education lessons, appropriate to their age and almost all pupils, including those with additional needs, make good progress and achieve well, relative to their age and starting points.
“Pupils’ ability to speak with confidence about what they have learnt in religious education is very strong,” the report said.
Another strength highlighted in the report was prayer and liturgy, which was described as being “at the heart of the school, ever-present and central to gatherings of pupils and staff.”
Rachael Snowdon-Poole, Headteacher, said: “This report is a wonderful affirmation of the faith-filled, inclusive and compassionate community that St George’s is. I am incredibly proud of our pupils, who live out our mission with kindness, respect and integrity every day, and deeply grateful to our staff, governors, families and parish for their unwavering support. Our Catholic faith shapes who we are and how we serve, and this inspection recognises our commitment to nurturing the whole child — academically, spiritually and personally.”
This latest Outstanding grading from Catholic Schools Inspectors follows on from an Outstanding grading in all areas from Ofsted in May 2024.
