Holy Rosary Catholic Voluntary Academy is celebrating after being graded Good in all areas by Ofsted.
Inspectors visited the school, in Burton, in May 2025 and said that the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision were all good. The school had previously been graded as Requires Improvement.
“The school’s passion and determination to build ‘loving hearts and strong minds’ is lived and breathed at Holy Rosary. Pupils and staff are happy and proud to attend such a special place. Pupils know they will be well cared for, and they are.
“The school has high expectations for all pupils, and the vast majority achieve the ambitions set for them. Pupils attend well and arrive on time ready to be the best version of themselves,” the report said.
The school’s values were praised in the report and inspectors said that as soon as children start school, they learn that there are high expectations for how they are expected to behave through the ‘Holy Rosary Way’.
“Pupils rise to these expectations. Their understanding of, and commitment to, the shared values help the school to be a calm and purposeful place,” the report said.
Every pupil feels valued and supported, according to the report, and pupils say that everyone in the Holy Rosary family is treated fairly and equally.
A wide range of opportunities outside the classroom is on offer to pupils, said the inspectors.
“The school’s ambition for its pupils extends well beyond the classroom. Many carefully thought-out activities, experiences and opportunities are available for pupils to engage with. These help them to develop into confident, articulate young people who can contribute positively to their local community,” they said.
Well-considered curriculum changes are built on the principle of ‘inclusion by design’, Ofsted said. “This has ensured that the most important things for pupils to learn are clearly identified,” inspectors said.
Reading was said to be “front and centre” of the curriculum and the school works effectively with parents and carers to help them to support their child to read at home, the report said.
Ofsted said that the school identifies and supports pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) very effectively.
The report said: “Staff adapt learning where necessary to meet individual needs. Consequently, pupils with SEND follow an inclusive curriculum alongside their peers and achieve well.”
The early years provision was praised and inspectors said that children get off to a good start, are well supported and settle quickly at school.
Inspectors said: “The curriculum prioritises their language and communication skills. Many children successfully learn to control their feelings and emotions. They develop positive relationships with each other and staff. Children are happy and secure because routines are well established and expectations are high.”
The school’s approach to managing behaviour was highlighted and the report said that staff model the respect and tolerance they expect pupils to show each other and that pupils are proud to recognise and celebrate differences.
Pupils’ personal development was described as a priority and inspectors said that it was carefully integrated throughout the curriculum.
“Pastoral support is strong, and there is a wide range of after-school clubs, such as football, choir and crochet, that pupils benefit from. Pupils support the local community through their roles as ‘Messengers’ and ‘Earth Friends’” the report said.
Marie Dyche, Headteacher, said: “I would like to express how proud we are of our team, community and most especially our children.
“This report represents the work of our whole team, and rightly acknowledges that: ‘Pupils and staff are happy and proud to attend such a special place’.
“The details given within the report offer a real reflection on the journey of school improvement we have all been on as a school community since our last inspection in 2023 and the work we are continuing to strengthen.”
