St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy has been given an overall rating of good following a Diocesan Canonical Inspection.
Inspectors from the Diocese of Nottingham said that the quality of Catholic Life, Religious Education and Collective Worship at the school, which is part of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, were all good.
How well leaders and governors promote, monitor and evaluate the provision for the Catholic Life of the school, and the provision for Collective Worship, were graded outstanding.
The report said that St John Fisher CVA was well supported by the St Ralph Sherwin CMAT, which is committed to increasing all aspects of school improvement.
Inspectors said that pupils were proud to be a member of the St John Fisher community and they enjoyed the responsibilities the school provided for them, including as part of the chaplaincy team, the pupil council and as eco-champions.
The report said: “St John Fisher is a caring school with a family feel which is evident when you enter the school, and which is spoken about by so many of the stakeholders.”
Commenting on the Catholic Life of the school, they said: “The Catholic Life of the school is highly valued by all stakeholders and leaders have ensured that it is the driving force for future school improvement across the school. This has a tangible impact on the aspirations that school leaders, staff and parents have for the future of the pupils in their care.”
Pupils’ charity work and fundraising was also highlighted in the report. Inspectors said: “A very large majority of pupils value opportunities to raise money for local, national and global charities and they have done so with great success. Most importantly, they understand why raising money for those in need is important. A Year 1 pupil said, ‘We raise money because Jesus is our example, and this is how we show we love one another.’”
Inspectors described St John Fisher as a calm and spiritual school community “where staff want the best for pupils in their care.”
Angelina Brett, Headteacher, said she was delighted with the outcome of the inspection.
She said: “Due to the COVID pandemic, we had to wait much longer than we thought we would for the inspectors to visit us! We have worked hard to maintain our high standards and I am so proud of the St John Fisher CVA community. The children, staff, parents, governors and parishioners shared their love and support of the school with the inspectors, highlighting that we are a family who are committed and care deeply for each other.”
Trust CEO, Sean McClafferty, said: “I speak for all our Trust schools when I say that we are so proud of this achievement at St John Fisher.
“I know the whole school community, let by Angelina Brett, has worked incredibly hard to ensure that enhancing the Catholic ethos has been the priority for everyone. The fact that leaders and governors of the school have been judged as outstanding in their work shows how much progress is being made. Well done to all.”
