St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy in Marple Bridge is a ‘welcoming and nurturing school which cares about its pupils’, according to the school’s latest Ofsted report.
The school has been rated Good overall, with Outstanding features, following a two-day inspection by Ofsted in December 2023.
The quality of education, leadership and management and early years provision were rated Good and behaviour and attitudes and personal development were graded Outstanding.
In their report, inspectors said: “St Mary’s is a welcoming and nurturing school, which cares about its pupils. Pupils are polite and well mannered. They are articulate and have a thirst for learning.
“Pupils learn the ‘St Mary’s Way’. This helps them to understand how to behave in lessons and around school. Pupils behave very well and are a credit to the school. Pupils are well supported to develop valuable skills for life. They understand that their three ‘pocket principles’ help to guide their behaviour. As a result, the school is a place of calm.”
The school has high expectations of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, the report said.
“The curriculum for pupils in Years 1 to 6 and for children in the early years is ambitious. Thoughtful links are made between the subject content and the local area,” inspectors said.
The report said that pupils enjoy their lessons and they achieve well, pupils enjoy supporting one another.
Behaviour among pupils was also praised by inspectors, who said: “The school expects pupils to behave well and they do. From the early years, routines are quickly established. Pupils across the rest of the school also have positive attitudes to learning. They listen attentively to their teachers and they are respectful to staff and to one another. Pupils who need extra help to behave well are nurtured by staff and supported by their friends.”
The school prioritises pupils’ personal development and parents and carers hold the school in high regard, according to the report.
Inspectors said that the school was well supported by its local governing body and the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust. They also said that arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
John Nish, Headteacher, said “Our vision of ‘living and learning by journeying with Mary to Jesus for the greater glory of God’ focuses on a relentless drive to continue to improve and excel in all areas. This report recognises this drive that leads to excellent academic outcomes, while developing the pupils’ character as part of a supportive and nurturing school family. I would like to thank all pupils, staff, parents/carers, trustees and governors for their ongoing hard work, support and dedication.
“To be rated Outstanding in two areas under the new, more rigorous framework is a fantastic achievement. Our school family is extremely proud of the feedback provided by Ofsted. This result reflects a significant, whole team effort to improve the education of each and every one of our pupils. All of our staff, families and children have played a central role in ensuring that the academy continues to provide an excellent education based on Gospel values that prepares pupils for an ambitious future of learning, regardless of difference and challenge.”
Kevin Gritton, Chief Executive of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said: “We are delighted for the community at St Mary’s and would like to thank the staff and governors for everything they do, every day, to give the pupils there the very best education and care.”
A 14-year-old student at St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy who has a ‘remarkable talent’ is studying for a GCSE in Music two years early.
Ben Giliker, who is in Year 9, will be joining Year 11 students on GCSE results day in August to find out his result.
The teenager plays violin and has just achieved a Distinction in his Grade 8 ABRSM exam – a qualification usually achieved by students at least two years older than him – scoring 145 out of a possible 150 marks.
Ben started playing the violin when he was six years old and aspires to be a soloist or join an orchestra when he is older.
He said: “I listened to lots of different types of music from a very young age, my mum played trumpet and my did play the violin when he was younger. I practice for an hour a day and I have lessons once a week. I also go to a local orchestra once a week.
“I love playing the violin as I think it’s a way of expressing yourself. I’m studying for my GCSE in Music which I’m taking two years early. I would like to get a grade 8 if I can. My lessons are with Year 11 students and I really enjoy them.”
Ben has also performed as part of the Derby & Derbyshire Schools Orchestra, when he was lead violin, and the National Children’s Orchestra. He is also a member of the City & County Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra as well as being a joint leader of the Peak District Strings Orchestra.
He was one of six violinists of school age from across the world to take part in a masterclass with the Benedetti Foundation with internationally acclaimed baroque violinist Rachael Podger.
Shelley Gray, Head of Expressive Arts at St Thomas More, said: “It’s been such a pleasure working with Ben these past few years. He has a remarkable talent for music and I’m thrilled that as a school we’ve been able to provide him with the opportunity to sit his GCSE Music early. We’ll all be watching his progress closely in the years to come and enjoying his role on the electric guitar in our jazz band!”
David Redfern, Headteacher at St Thomas More in Buxton, said: “Ben’s exceptional talent is truly remarkable, and I couldn’t be more proud of his outstanding achievements in music. As he nears his GCSE in Music this summer, I extend my sincere wishes for his success. I am confident that he will shine brightly and excel in his endeavours.”
Playing football in Italy and visiting Venice were highlights of a memorable trip for pupils from St Philip Howard Catholic Voluntary in Glossop.
Sixty boys and girls in Years 8,9 and 10, along with six members of staff, spent four nights in Italy where they took part in football coaching sessions and matches as well as seeing the sights.
The group was based at the Bella Italia Village in Pineta, one of the best sports resorts for school trips.
The international standard facilities include three football centres, an indoor stadium, an Olympic swimming pool, a water park and a beach.
As well as training and playing football, the group also spent a morning in Venice, travelling by water taxi to St Mark’s Square and enjoying some free time.
The trip was organised by Leanne Urquhart, pastoral manager at St Philip Howard, and PE teacher Derron Clarke, who said that the trip had been an incredible experience for the students.
Leanne said: “We’ve had some amazing feedback from parents of the students who went on the trip, I’ve had nothing but positive comments from them. This is the first trip I have organised and it went really well. The students were great but I would also like to thank the staff who were brilliant.
“Priority was given to anyone that played football for school or was affiliated to a football team outside of school. We were overwhelmed with the response as we were originally planning on taking 40 children but had to increase that to 60 because of the amount of interest in it.
“It was also about much more than football, it was great to see the students grow in confidence and become more independent as it wasn’t like going away with their parents, they had to do things for themselves. As it was a coach trip they also saw some incredible sights travelling through Switzerland and past Lake Como, they now have some incredible memories to look back on. I would definitely like to run another trip next year and I’m already looking into it.”
Leanne said she wanted to thank Glossop Round Table who gifted £500 to the school to buy hoodies for the trip.
Student Arabella Berry said: “I don’t play football in school but I train with Glossop North End. The opportunity came up to go on this trip and I thought it would be fun. I really enjoyed it, there was lots of great things to do.”
Student Joe Kidd said: “I don’t really play football out of school but I really wanted to go abroad. It was exciting to play football as well though. The best thing about the trip was that we never really stopped, we were always doing something, and we were also given a bit of freedom too.”
Student Adam Turton said: “I liked playing football with my friends and at school I write match reports for the team. I liked playing in the games in Italy, they were very competitive.”
Student Fionn Murphy said: “I like football and a lot of my friends were going on the trip so I really wanted to go. Going to Venice was fun and I liked exploring and seeing the sights. The football matches were tough and competitive. It was definitely a trip that I will always remember.”
Headteacher Mike Kays said: “I would like to thank all of the staff for the time they gave up during the Easter holidays to enable the pupils to have such an unforgettable experience. Since the return we have had a letter from the managing director who was in the resort at time, saying how much of a pleasure it was to spend time with our pupils and that the behaviour they showed at all times was exceptional.”
More than £1,300 was raised through a sponsored line dance by 250 children and staff at St Thomas’ Catholic Voluntary Academy.
The whole school dressed up and took part in line dancing sessions across a day at the Ilkeston school.
Money raised will go to CAFOD, a global aid charity, which organises a fundraising walk every year involving primary and secondary schools but St Thomas’ decided to turn the walk into a line dance.
Teacher Lyndsey Ford, who runs a clubbercise exercise class, led the sessions with all year groups.
She said: “We were planning on doing a walk but doing it to the song ‘these boots are made for walking’ and then we thought why don’t we do a line dance instead. We asked everyone to dress up and each class came into the hall and learnt some steps. We had a set playlist and the teachers took part too. The older children learnt a dance, the pupils in Years 5 and 6 really got into it, it was a lovely atmosphere. Everyone really enjoyed it and it really got the boys talking too. Everyone was engaged with it. We do lots of things like this at St Thomas’.”
Pupil Caitlin, 10, said: “I used to dance when I was younger but then I stopped. I was a bit nervous about doing the line dancing but it was really fun. I have seen line dancing before but I’ve never done it. The steps were quite easy to learn. It was about keeping to the beat and repeating the same steps. I loved it because of the country music, I’ve started listening to it at home now too.”
Michael Sellors, Headteacher at St Thomas’, said: “It was brilliant to raise such a large sum of money for CAFOD in such a fun way. We have such a generous community in Ilkeston and we are so thankful for all the money that was sponsored.”
Visiting waterfalls, a glacier and a volcanic beach were the highlights of a trip to Iceland for pupils from St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy.
Children in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 from the school, in Buxton, spent four nights in Iceland as part of a joint Science and Geography trip.
They visited waterfalls, the Solheimajokull Glacier, Reynisfjara Black volcanic beach and the small town of Vik.
They enjoyed a Wonders of Reykjanes Peninsular Day, with a tour guide, which included a visit to a Geothermal Park and a stop at the quake 2008 exhibition and a sightseeing tour of Reykjavik
Students and staff stayed in a hotel in Hveragerdi, a small village often called the hot springs capital of the world.
Student Leo Smith said: “My favourite part of the trip was going to the secret lagoon which is a geothermal pool. It was lovely and it was nice and warm. It felt quite hot after we’d been in there for a bit but I felt refreshed once we came out of it. We couldn’t see the Northern Lights but we did do some stargazing. I think seeing the lights depends on whether there is a solar storm.
“Iceland is a really beautiful place and the landscape is impressive. It’s interesting because the terrain is so different, it goes from being mountainous and quite alpine to completely flat.
“You can learn so much more about the physical environment when you visit places like that. It’s totally different to learning about it in a classroom.”
Student Molly Townsend said: “I enjoyed swimming in the lagoon and visiting the black sand beach because it was different to any beach I have seen in England. The waves were huge. We also saw geysers and I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
Student Francesca Stobbs said: “My favourite part of the trip was the secret lagoon and the waterfalls. They were really pretty. We had to climb up about 500 steps to get to the top and go back down but it was worth it.”
Lesley Musgrove, Science Technician and Trips and Visits Co-ordinator at the school, said: “This was my fourth visit to Iceland with school and it never disappoints. The students were fantastic, the staff amazing. There is a glacier that we visit each year which is retreating. The first time I went it ended beside the car park now 8 years later it is a 15-minute walk away, and it makes you realise just how fragile our earth is.”
David Redfern, Headteacher at St Thomas More, said: “Embarking on a journey to Iceland isn’t just about studying Science and Geography; it’s about broadening perspectives, sparking curiosity, and creating indelible memories that enrich our pupils’ global awareness.”
Pupils at St Anne’s Catholic Voluntary Academy have been inspired to take on a series of charity challenges by their friend who went on an incredible fundraising journey with her dad.
Eleven-year-old Lily Heywood, pictured bottom right, completed 60 miles of hiking, 60 miles of running, 60 miles of cycling, swam 60 lengths, ran the Media city 5k in Manchester and climbed Mount Snowdon at 3,560ft.
She helped to raise over £8,500 for The Christie Hospital, in Manchester, last year with her dad Matt who was treated at the hospital for melanoma skin cancer.
Now 15 pupils in Year 6 at St Anne’s, in Buxton, are following in Lily’s footsteps and taking on their own challenges with the target of raising £1,000 for The Christie Hospital.
Their JustGiving page is called Project LAFF (Lily and Friends Fundraiser) and can be found here: Matthew Heywood is fundraising for THE CHRISTIE CHARITY (justgiving.com)
Writing on the JustGiving page, Lily said: “Last year my daddy inspired me to help make a difference, this year I hope to inspire my school friends to help raise money once again for The Christie.
“We have all chosen a challenge that is inspired by the number 60. We will be running, swimming, hiking, cycling, giving up sweets and chocolate and lots more. We all hope you can help us raise vital funds for the hospital that saved my daddy and helps thousands of people each and every year. Thanks in advance Lily and Friends (St Anne’s, Buxton Year 6).”
The 60 Christie’s fundraising challenge is aimed at schools and is centred on the figure 60 because that is the average distance a patient travels for cancer treatment in the UK.
Pupil Freya, 11, said: “My challenge is hiking and I want to do 60 miles so I can help people who need it. I saw what Lily was doing and thought it was a good idea, it’s good to help people in need.”
Pupil Charlie, 11, said: “I started my challenge in March and we are all aiming to be finished in September. I am cycling and the longest ride I’ve done so far is 12 miles with my dad. Lily inspired us and I think it’s good to be able to help people.”
Lily’s dad Matt was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in 2021 but following surgery and treatment he is now in remission and took on his own fundraising challenges.
These included scaling the three Welsh peaks and the three Yorkshire peaks as a 36 hour challenge, taking on the Spanish three peaks, the Tower Run in Manchester, the Manchester and the Buxton half-marathons back to back and more.
This year Matt has already taken on Mount Toubkal in Morocco, and looks to compete in the Manchester Marathon in April, the Welsh 3000’s in August and finally the Lakes 10 event organised by The Christie in September.
Matt said: “When my Christie’s event manager had the chance to meet Lily on a Kinder Scout hike, she asked Lily if she would be continuing to fundraise with me. When her reply was no, I turned in disbelief, but what followed brought a tiny tear to my eye. Lily turned around and said….
“’My dad inspired me this year to do my challenges, what we did together was amazing and we did a great thing, but next year I want to see if I can inspire my school friends and do something with them, Sorry Dad!’
“I mean how proud do you think I felt when I heard those words. Although she hasn’t got rid of me that easily, I’ve still got to run the 60 runs with her.
“I didn’t know how it would be received by her friends, but the response was incredible, what a fantastic group of kids, a credit to their school, teachers and their amazing parents. We have a chance to do something special and the children have jumped in feet first with all the enthusiasm in the world. Just mega to see!”
Matt and Lily urge people to go and see their GP if they are unsure of any changing moles or lesions. If detected early, over 85% of melanomas are preventable.
Matt said: “Melanoma and skin cancers affect us all regardless of our skin type, be safe in the sun.”
Children and staff at a Derbyshire primary school have created an eco-garden in memory of their friend who died.
Daniel Rigley (pictured bottom right) was eight years old when he died in 2021, after being diagnosed with leukaemia when he was 39 months old.
Pupils and staff at St Thomas’ Catholic Voluntary Academy, where Daniel was a pupil, raised over £6,000 to create the memorial eco-garden at the school in Church View, Ilkeston.
Funding from East Midlands Airport to create an eco-garden at St Thomas’ has also been used.
The hard landscaping has been completed but the school needs to fill the beds and is appealing to anyone who can donate flowers and plants to contact them.
Originally Daniel’s parents had approached St Thomas’ to ask if a bench could be installed in his memory.
But staff wanted to do more and asked pupils to come up with designs for a garden in the school grounds.
A fundraising campaign was launched which has received donations from the school’s PTA and families.
Andy Gotheridge, Assistant Headteacher at St Thomas, said: “Everyone has been amazing, the support has been incredible. We’ve also had parents offering to help and one of our Teaching Assistants has approached a couple of garden centres.
“We had a design a garden lesson with Year 5 pupils in Daniel’s class and we looked at the basic elements that could be included. We also spoke to Daniel’s parents and they were keen for a bench to be included and strawberry plants as Daniel liked strawberries.
“We gave the pupils the basic shape of the garden and they had a go at designing it. We showed Daniel’s mum and dad the designs and they chose their favourite.”
The successful designer was Harper Barber, 10, and elements of her drawing have been included such as a water feature and beds for plants and flowers. Her design has been incorporated into the EMA eco garden which was already being planned by the school.
Mr Gotheridge said: “Daniel loved playing outside and he grew strawberry plants at home and would pick the strawberries so it will be nice to include them in the garden.”
The school is planning a Mass to celebrate the opening of the garden when it is complete.
Michael Sellors, Headteacher at St Thomas’, said: “We are looking to completing the garden which has transformed a disused piece of land into a beautiful and peaceful reflective space for children and staff to go to remember Daniel, a much loved and missed pupil.”
Anyone who can donate plants and flowers for the garden is asked to contact the school on 0115 9320550.
A school that was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire is celebrating after winning the New Full Build Award at the Brighter City of Derby Awards.
St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, in Broadway, received the Derby Civic Society award from the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Alan Graves.
Amanda Greaves, Executive Headteacher at St Mary’s, accepted the award at Derby’s Council House.
She was joined for the presentation by Ian Naylor, architect for the build, from the Department for Education, and Andrew Muldoon, Estates Manager at the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust (pictured right).
St Mary’s new building – the UK’s greenest primary school – opened in December 2023, three years after the original school was destroyed by fire.
The school is the country’s first biophilic design and was built as part of a pilot project by the Department for Education.
Biophilic design focuses on connecting those inside with nature, with the goal of promoting physical and mental health.
Mrs Greaves said she was delighted to accept the award.
She said: “I’ve seen the school through the journey from 2020, during which we were in temporary accommodation with little access to green outdoor spaces. Now we have returned to our original site to continue the journey, we really want to enhance the outdoor space. At the new site we never have a wet playtime because of the beautiful canopy that links our classrooms, children go outside in all weathers. We are well aware of the impact being outdoors has on our physical and mental health. Due to the inspirational design and architecture, the children are encouraged to learn, play and reflect outside as much as possible as we continue to deliver an outstanding education.
“This is our first award and the fact it is local makes it really special, we are delighted to receive this new build award.”
Mr Naylor said: “This was a fantastic opportunity after the school was devastated by fire, which was tragic. What came back to us was the opportunity to rebuild a school which would allow us to do something different in a beautiful part of Derby.”
Saint Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy has achieved a Gold Award in recognition of its provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
The award came following visit from a verifier from the National SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) Quality Mark, who reviews and validates the school’s self-assessment.
In the report that followed the visit, the school, in New Mills, was praised for its energy, determination and commitment in ensuring that the children in its care are able to become ‘the next generation of world leaders’.
“Your focus on striving to continually improve ‘excellence of education’ is inspiring. I know that you are, quite rightly, proud of all that the school offers its pupils and the wider community,” the report said.
Verifier Meg Marshall said in her report that she was overwhelmed by the children’s confidence to talk about social action projects that they had initiated.
She said: “They have so many opportunities to lead and be responsible, from Special Friends, Little Fish to Chaplains who prepare and lead whole school worship. The children are aware of current local and international news, and they are able to discuss world events. Theological questions are provided on the dining tables at lunchtimes in order to promote discussion. They clearly articulate how British Values link to Catholic Social Teaching, and the school’s values.”
Parents described how friendly and homely the school is, the report said.
“I heard about how children ‘thrive’, no matter what their needs. The parents appreciate the careful focus on smooth transition, Nursery to Reception, and KS2 to KS3, and that there is an open door policy. It is also appreciated that staff retention is strong, and that staff have opportunities to develop professionally,” the verifier said.
Governors spoke about the importance of global learning and their involvement with it, according to the report.
The school’s numerous strengths were highlighted in the report, including the positive relationships and pride from everyone connected to the school, the real ethos of ‘family’ and support, the leadership opportunities available for children and how well the children articulate themselves.
Headteacher Patricia Chapman said: “The school is delighted to receive the recognition through this award that reflects the focus and dedication we have for all our pupils in their personal development.”
Pupils at St Anne’s Catholic Voluntary Academy enjoyed an ‘incredible’ trip to Chester Zoo thanks to community fundraising efforts.
The school, in Buxton, signed up for free tickets to the zoo and received enough to be able to take the whole school, which is made up for over 220 pupils and staff.
But the cost of transporting everyone was coming in at over £2,500 so the school launched a fundraising drive in a bid to pay for the travel.
Through a series of events, including a 12-hour sponsored walk at school by staff and some pupils and a Summer Fair/Meet the Teacher event, over £2,700 was raised.
One of the biggest events was a car wash held all weekend by a family who have children at St Anne’s. They were supported by local firefighters and together they raised a total of £575.
Pupil Danny, seven, described the trip to the zoo as ‘incredible’.
He said: “I’ve never been to Chester Zoo before. I’ve been to other zoos but nothing as big as this one. We saw an ant eater, monkeys and lions. The lions were a bit scary but it was great to see them. I also saw a chameleon. I really enjoyed the day.”
Pupil Oscar, nine, said it was a brilliant day.
He said: “My favourite bit was going into the bat cave. There were lots of bats and they were coming quite close. I also really enjoyed seeing the Komodo dragons and the chameleon. As a year group we were paired up with some of the younger children so we were helping them which was nice. I was really tired by the end but it was a brilliant day.”
Assistant Headteacher Stephanie Clarke said that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day.
She said: “Our children and staff had a fantastic day at Chester Zoo. For some of our children it would have been their first trip to the zoo and they all loved seeing the different animals. It was a trip that was fun and educational and it will be something that the children will remember for a long time to come. We would like to thank Chester Zoo for the tickets and everyone who supported our fundraising drive and enabled us to be able to offer our children such a wonderful experience. We would also like to thank the Friends of St Anne’s who purchased high visibility jackets for every child.”
