Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of St Boniface’s RC College on July 4, 2024, following two successive judgments of requires improvement. The purpose of this inspection was to assess the progress made by the school since its last graded inspection, rather than to provide an overall effectiveness grade. The inspection involved discussions with the executive headteacher, senior leaders, trust leaders, governors, and staff, as well as visits to lessons and meetings with pupils to gather insights into the changes implemented at the school.
The inspection revealed that while progress has been made, further work is necessary for the school to achieve a good rating. Since the previous inspection, the executive headteacher has been appointed, and a new head of school is now in place. Significant changes have been made to key policies, including those related to behavior and attendance, and the school is collaborating more closely with trust leaders. Initial steps have been taken to address the areas for improvement identified in the previous report, and while some initiatives require time to take effect, there is evidence that the school is moving in a positive direction.
The curriculum has been revised to ensure it is broad and ambitious, with small steps identified to help pupils progress. However, the mechanisms for checking pupils' understanding are not yet consistently effective, leading to some misconceptions not being addressed promptly. There is a need for further work to identify and act on gaps in pupils' understanding swiftly.
Leadership changes have prompted immediate action on areas needing improvement, particularly in behavior, attendance, and educational quality. The executive headteacher and head of school have developed a robust improvement plan that is actively used to monitor progress. This plan allows governors and trust leaders to hold school leaders accountable for their actions and the impact of those actions.
A new behavior policy was introduced at the start of the year, which initially led to an increase in suspensions, although this has since decreased. While the overall number of suspensions remains higher than the previous year, there is a notable reduction in repeat suspensions. Both pupils and staff report improvements in behavior, with low-level disruptions being rare in lessons. The expectations set by the school are understood and deemed fair by pupils, and there is a greater consistency in the application of the behavior policy.
Attendance has improved overall, but persistent absenteeism remains a concern. The school is actively working with pupils and their families to address barriers to attendance and is identifying at-risk pupils earlier to prevent worsening attendance issues. Continued focus in this area is essential.
The school has engaged with various external support services, which have enhanced its capacity for improvement. Leaders at all levels have reported positively on the impact of this external support, which has been targeted and effective in addressing specific areas of need.
In summary, St Boniface’s RC College has made strides in its improvement journey, but further efforts are required to ensure that the changes are fully embedded and effective. The leadership team is aware of the challenges ahead and is committed to addressing them to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.
