St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in St Helens, Merseyside, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on July 5 and 6, 2022. The school provides a supportive and nurturing environment where pupils feel happy, safe, and well cared for. The positive atmosphere is fostered by polite and friendly interactions among students, who come from diverse backgrounds and feel accepted and respected. Staff members are dedicated to knowing their pupils and their families, which contributes to a welcoming community.
Pupils appreciate the calm spaces available to them, along with dedicated mentors and specialist counselors. They express confidence in the staff's ability to address their concerns, and the school takes bullying seriously, resolving incidents quickly and effectively. The quality of education is highly valued by students, who enjoy a purposeful learning environment where they can focus on their work and collaborate with peers. High expectations for behavior and academic success are set by leaders and staff, and pupils take pride in their achievements.
The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports and clubs such as basketball, football, film, and art. The sustainability group is particularly popular, engaging with local organizations to address issues like homelessness and waste reduction. Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are fully included in school life and have opportunities to take on leadership roles.
The curriculum at St Cuthbert’s is coherent and well-structured, ensuring that pupils know what they will learn and when. It is broad and balanced, with an ambitious approach that has led to an increase in the number of pupils studying subjects included in the English Baccalaureate. Teachers employ various methods to enhance pupils' recall of key knowledge, making learning relevant and engaging. However, some subjects have been identified where pupils struggle to retain previously learned information, indicating a need for improved assessment strategies to address misconceptions and gaps in knowledge.
Reading skills are prioritized, with most pupils becoming confident and fluent readers. Those needing additional support are quickly identified and receive effective assistance. The school ensures that pupils with special educational needs are well supported in lessons, allowing them to access the full curriculum alongside their peers.
Behavior management is effective, with appropriate use of sanctions and rewards. The school maintains high attendance expectations and works closely with families to improve attendance when necessary. Pupils receive strong support for their mental health and learn about healthy relationships and risky behaviors through personal development lessons. Careers education is robust, providing meaningful work experience opportunities and engaging with local charities to promote respect for diversity.
While the school has many strengths, there are areas for improvement. Some pupils lack sufficient knowledge about different cultures and communities, which limits their preparedness for life in a multicultural society. Leaders are encouraged to enhance the curriculum to provide more opportunities for pupils to learn about the contributions of diverse groups to British society. Additionally, assessment strategies in certain subjects need to be refined to better identify and address gaps in pupils' understanding. Overall, St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School continues to provide a good education, with a strong commitment to the well-being and development of its pupils.
