We were delighted to welcome pupils and staff from our schools to our Pupil Parliament meeting, where they unpicked our Mission statement: “Growing in faith, serving with love, transforming our world; together in Christ.”
There were some great examples of how our Mission is being lived out in schools and how it could be lived out in the future.
In groups, pupils and staff then discussed what they would like to see happening in schools on our Feast Day in December. A very productive day and great to see pupils and staff across the Trust working together. Thank you to everyone who came along!
Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy could be named the best in the UK after being shortlisted for a national award.
The Burton school has made it to the finals of the Tes Schools Awards 2023, in the Secondary School of the Year category.
Now in its 15th year, the Tes Schools Awards recognise the best teachers and schools from UK state and independents, including early years settings, primary and secondary.
Laura O’Leary, Headteacher at Blessed Robert Sutton, said: ‘We are over the moon to be shortlisted for the Tes Secondary School of the Year Award. It is recognition of the immense hard work and dedication shown by our superb staff. We have been on a mission to provide an excellent education for all of our wonderful students, which we have achieved with the support of our phenomenal, dedicated staff, governors and the parents and carers of our students.’
The school recently became one of only three in the country to move from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Outstanding’ under the new Ofsted framework.
Inspectors said that pupils are extremely proud to be part of this “highly ambitious school’ and that leaders have the highest expectations for pupils, who receive a “high quality” education.
The ‘Sutton Way’ was highlighted in the report, which focuses on academic excellence, spiritual development and social excellence and permeates throughout the school.
The panel of Tes awards judges include school leaders, experts and education researchers. This year, there are 20 award categories including two special awards, honouring the classroom Resource of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kevin Gritton, Chief Executive of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, congratulated everyone at Blessed Robert Sutton.
He said: “This is another fantastic achievement for Miss O’Leary and her team and they would be worthy winners of this national award. Everyone at Blessed Robert Sutton should feel incredibly proud and we wish them the best of luck.”
Jon Severs, Tes editor and chief judge of the Tes Schools Awards, said: “With these awards we honour the education community, whom we have served for over 112 years. This year has seen some incredibly high quality entries. So every teacher and school who has been named in this shortlist should be very proud – it’s a fantastic achievement.
“We are looking forward to showcasing, as we do every year, just how vital our education professionals are to every facet of this country. Teachers, leaders and support staff all play such an important role in schools: this is our chance to say thank you for all that they do.”
The winners of the Tes Schools Awards will be announced on Friday, June 23 at a gala awards night at the Grosvenor Park Hotel in London.
Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy has been graded Good with Outstanding areas in its latest Catholic Schools inspection.
The overall quality of Catholic education provided by the school was graded Good, along with Religious Education.
Catholic life and mission and collective worship were both graded Outstanding by inspectors from the Catholic Schools Inspectorate, who visited the school in Ilkeston in April 2023.
In their report, inspectors said: “The integrity and passion of all leaders, including governors, are tangible at St John Houghton. This is a popular school which holds Christ at its heart. The exceptional Catholic ethos permeates all areas of school life.
“The religious education department is at the forefront of the current progress and developments in teaching and learning at the school.”
They also said that the chaplaincy provision was a “shining beacon within the school.”
The approach to collective worship reflects the passion and engagement of the lay chaplain and school leaders and ensures that prayer remains a key focus of daily life for all students, staff and parents, the report said.
Engagement with the community is a strength which is to be “commended and celebrated”, inspectors said, highlighting the ‘Faith in Action’ awards, parish work, the development of an eco-garden and regular coffee mornings.
Inspectors said: “The St John Houghton school community is rightly proud of the Catholic nature of the school and this sense permeates every aspect of school life. All students feel valued and play an integral part within the school family.
“Students display deep respect both for their peers and staff in lessons and around the school. The language used by students consistently reflects a recognition of the dignity of others. There is a real sense of inclusivity encompassing all faiths, religions, and those without faith. The school routinely supports many initiatives locally, nationally, and internationally.”
Leaders and governors were praised and inspectors said they were deeply committed to ensuring that the school’s distinctive Catholic character is upheld and developed.
“They exercise their duty as guardians of the Catholic life and mission of the school extremely well, ensuring that Christ is always at the heart of everything undertaken. St John Houghton is deeply rooted in the local community, supporting strong links with parents, the parish and beyond,” inspectors said.
Steve Brogan, Headteacher at Saint John Houghton, said: “We are absolutely delighted to share this report, which recognises the commitment and dedication of all members of our school community. Since the previous inspection, we have worked tirelessly to improve our school and we are so pleased this has been recognised. The Catholic Life of our school is always at the heart of our work and our Mission Statement, ‘Inspiring ambition and excellence, guided by Christ,’ is truly lived out.”
Kevin Gritton, Trust Chief Executive, said: “Well done to all of the staff, governors and pupils at Saint John Houghton on this excellent report, which makes fantastic reading. The outcome is a testament to all of the hard work that goes on at the school and everyone should be extremely proud.”
Children and staff at Saint Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy in New Mills are supporting a school in Uganda as part of an international aid project.
The school has created links with Busyangwa School, sending over letters, artwork, clothes, sweets and raising £600 to buy a battery-operated TV as the school has no electricity.
The relationship has been built as part of the Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme, which helps schools to make connections locally and globally.
Children at Saint Mary’s have also received letters of thanks from pupils at Busyangwa School.
Patricia Chapman, Headteacher at Saint Mary’s, said: “As part of our Global Learning lessons we have been liaising with Busyangwa School which is in Uganda. This is part of the Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme, which supports schools internationally to learn about and collaborate on the big issues that shape our world.
“During different fundraisers, including our recent Lent sponsored walk, we have managed an amazing £600 for the purchase of a battery-operated TV. Recently we have been able to send letters, artwork and posters with the help of Brian Westhead and Geoff Carrier, who both became involved with Busyangwa through links with Revive Church in New Mills.
“During the Easter holidays Geoff travelled to Uganda with a suitcase full of our items including clothes and sweets from our local factory.
“Busyangwa School has been in touch to thank us for our generosity. The children and staff of Saint Mary’s CVA are very excited about this connection with our sister school, which has encouraged a greater understanding of global issues.”
Baita Jethro, from Busyangwa School, wrote a letter of thanks to Saint Mary’s.
He said: “Thank you for our gifts from the factory “sweets”, the recorders, clothes, the designed artwork which is meaningful, the money for the school TV plus the great love we can witness flowing across seas, continents, rivers and nations until down to us here on Mt Rwenzori (Busyangwa Primary School).”
Saint Mary’s is planning on donating reading books and sending a member of staff to Uganda next year to see first hand how the school’s donations are making a difference.
Pupil behaviour at St Elizabeth’s Catholic Voluntary Academy is exemplary and school leaders are ambitious for the vision of the school, according to Catholic Schools Inspectors.
The school, in Belper, was rated Good overall in its latest Catholic Schools Inspectorate inspection, carried out in March.
In the newly published report, inspectors said that the school’s Catholic life and mission, religious education and collective worship were all Good.
They said: “The mission statement at St Elizabeth’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, ‘Be like Jesus, be your best, be safe, be caring,’ alongside the seven Franciscan values of joy, forgiveness, faith, respect, service, peace and stewardship, are at the heart of the school community. Pupils and staff demonstrate a good understanding of this mission, which is visibly lived out every day. Pupil behaviour is exemplary.”
Pupils consistently show respect and care for each other, showing politeness to visitors and staff members. They also help and care for each other, taking great pride in their own special leadership roles and responsibilities, according to the report.
“School leaders are ambitious for the vision of the school. They share and live out their faith; they identify strengths and areas of development for the school; they implement systematic plans to drive improvement.”
The report highlighted a “well-developed sense of community” at St Elizabeth’s where “all are cared for and supported.”
“Parents say, ‘We feel our children are loved and nurtured at St Elizabeth’s. Staff are great role models and it is clear that children are encouraged to be respectful and caring to each other,’” the report said.
Inspectors said that pupils demonstrate impressive religious literacy and verbally communicate a wealth of knowledge about religious education. They said: “They express a deep understanding of how this impacts on their daily lives. Pupils show enthusiasm and enjoyment when planning and leading worship. They plan thoughtful prayer and liturgical prayer and are keen to share these occasions with the wider school community.”
Amanda Clemens, Headteacher at St Elizabeth’s, and Tim Ward, Deputy Headteacher, said: “We are delighted to report that our CSI recognises how wonderful our children are, it acknowledges their excellent behaviour, the provision which encourages them to be global citizens of the future and the sense of community that we all feel at St Elizabeth’s.”
St Elizabeth’s is part of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust.
Kevin Gritton, Trust Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to everyone at St Elizabeth’s. It was a joy to read such a wonderful report which highlights all of the excellent work going on at the school. Well done to all staff, governors and pupils.”
St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy is seeking to appoint a passionate Head of Department to join its hardworking team of staff.
A small, popular Catholic 11 to 16 school in the beautiful town of Buxton in Derbyshire; St Thomas More is within easy reach of Cheshire, Manchester, Staffordshire and Stockport as well as Derbyshire and surrounding areas.
Click on the link below to find out more.
There is now a further recruitment drive at Saint Benedict due to expansion plans.
We are recruiting to a number of roles at Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby due to exciting multi-million pound expansion plans.
Current vacancies include:
- Head of Biology
- Teacher of Maths
- HLTA – Numeracy Specialist
- Teacher of Computing
- Student Support Supervisor
- Manager of the Alternative Provision
- Cover Supervisor
- Level 1 Learning Support Assistant.
Please visit the vacancies section of our website for more information Vacancies – St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust (srscmat.co.uk)
St Thomas’ Catholic Voluntary Academy continues to be a ‘Good’ school, according to Ofsted.
Following a two-day ungraded inspection in February, inspectors said that pupils enjoy coming to this “welcoming school”, in Ilkeston, and that they have strong positive relationships with staff.
“Pupils say that all staff are caring. Pupils know a trusted adult they could speak to if they had a problem. The pupils at this school feel safe and happy,” they said.
The report said that leaders have woven the school’s five gospel values into the curriculum as well as all parts of school life.
“Teachers develop all pupils to show respect, forgiveness, honesty, love and friendship. The school operates as one cohesive community,” inspectors said.
It was noted that pupils, parents and carers agree that staff have high expectations for all pupils who attend St Thomas’ and as a consequence pupils behave very well.
The quality of early years provision was also highlighted in the report.
“Children in early years are eager to learn. They benefit from well planned provision and staff who nurture and look after them well. The vast majority of parents would recommend this school to other families. One parent’s comment summed up the view of many parents: ‘The school has a very welcoming atmosphere. Staff are kind and helpful to children and parents,” inspectors said.
The curriculum was praised by inspectors, who said it encompassed a broad range of subjects that give pupils the knowledge and skills that they need for the next phase of learning.
Inspectors said that teachers have good subject knowledge and ensure that pupils get opportunities to revisit prior learning.
“Children in early years get off to a flying start. Activities have a clear intent in developing children’s understanding across all areas of learning,” inspectors said.
The report said that the curriculum teaches pupils about different faiths and cultures.
Inspectors said: ““Pupils understand the diversity they will encounter in modern Britain. Pupils have a firm understanding of British values. Pupils benefit from sports and gardening club and they enjoy singing. School councillors and members of the pupil parliament help improve the school and wider community.
“Pupils commit to their study. They show positive attitudes towards learning. Purposeful, well-managed classrooms enable pupils to spend most of the time learning.”
Inspectors found that the safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective.
Michael Sellors, Headteacher at St Thomas’, said: “I am so pleased for our staff who work so hard day in and day out to educate and nurture all our pupils so that they achieve their best”.
Kevin Gritton, Chief Executive of the St Ralph Sherwin Trust, said: “We are delighted for everyone at St Thomas’ and we would like to thank staff at the school for everything they do, every day, for the children in their care. Staff, governors, pupils and their families should be extremely proud of this outcome, as we are.”
Congratulations to everyone at Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy in Burton after the school was nominated in the Secondary School of the Year category at the Tes School Awards 2023.
The school was recently graded Outstanding by Ofsted, only one of three schools in the country to go from Requires Improvement to Outstanding.
Well done to all of the staff, governors and pupils!
We are recruiting to a number of roles at Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby due to exciting multi-million pound expansion plans.
Current vacancies include; Teachers of Maths, Science, Dance and a Pastoral Support Assistant
Please visit the vacancies section of our website for more information Vacancies – St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust (srscmat.co.uk)
