Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, located in Worcester, Worcestershire, is recognized as a good school following its inspection on March 22 and 23, 2022. The school is characterized by a caring and inclusive environment where pupils feel valued and proud to be part of the community. Students, affectionately known as Blesseds, demonstrate strong advocacy and serve as excellent ambassadors for their school. The expectations set by teachers encourage pupils to work hard and strive for their best, fostering a culture of diligence and respect.
The school environment is well-maintained, clean, and bright, contributing to a positive learning atmosphere. Pupils show respect for their surroundings, staff, and peers, and the school staff ensure that new students integrate smoothly, helping them feel welcomed and valued. This supportive environment allows pupils to flourish academically and socially. Additionally, pupils have access to trusted adults within the school to discuss any concerns, and staff address these issues promptly, ensuring that students feel safe and supported.
Communication with families is prioritized, with school staff keeping parents informed about their children's education. The positive feedback from parents and carers highlights the strong community ties and the high regard in which the school is held. The school also offers a range of exciting extracurricular opportunities, including trips to Barbados for sports, visits to war memorials in Belgium, and skiing in Italy. These experiences contribute to the personal growth and self-esteem of the pupils.
The curriculum at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College is broad and well-structured. At key stage three, all pupils follow a well-sequenced curriculum, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Pupils have the option to study a diverse range of courses at key stage four. However, there has been a historical trend of low participation in the subjects that comprise the English Baccalaureate, particularly in modern foreign languages and humanities. Recent efforts by teachers in subjects like modern foreign languages and history have led to increased engagement and interest among pupils, resulting in more students opting to study these subjects at the GCSE level.
The school has implemented an ambitious curriculum across various subjects, ensuring that pupils encounter challenging materials that promote critical thinking and real-world application. Teachers regularly assess pupils' learning to provide constructive feedback, and school leaders are actively working to enhance their understanding of curriculum implementation across subjects. Support for pupils with special educational needs is effective, allowing them to make significant progress.
The wider curriculum at the school effectively develops pupils' spiritual and cultural character, with initiatives such as residential retreats and charitable fundraising efforts. Leaders are mindful of staff workload, providing support and resources that enable teachers to collaborate and improve the curriculum.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are robust, with regular training for staff and effective systems for pupils to share their concerns. Although a few record-keeping errors were identified during the inspection, they were promptly addressed by school leaders.
To further improve, the school should focus on increasing the uptake of languages and humanities subjects at the GCSE level, ensuring that the English Baccalaureate is central to the curriculum. Additionally, leaders need to deepen their understanding of curriculum implementation across all subjects to identify areas for improvement effectively. Overall, Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College continues to provide a supportive and enriching educational experience for its pupils.
