Holy Rosary Catholic Voluntary Academy, located in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, underwent an inspection on January 25 and 26, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas of strength and areas needing development identified. The quality of education was also rated as requiring improvement, while behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as good.
Pupils at Holy Rosary are proud to attend the school, which is characterized by a caring and inclusive environment. They demonstrate a strong focus on their learning during lessons. However, the curriculum in some subjects lacks proper planning, and teachers sometimes lack the necessary knowledge to deliver it effectively, which can hinder pupil progress. Positive relationships between pupils and teachers are evident, rooted in the school's Catholic ethos, and pupils express a sense of belonging and encouragement to be their best selves.
The school promotes personal development actively, providing pupils with numerous opportunities to explore their interests and talents. Leadership roles are available to many pupils, and initiatives such as character buddies and community messengers foster positive relationships and community engagement. These experiences contribute significantly to the pupils' development.
Despite the positive aspects, the school is on a journey of improvement. Leaders are committed to enhancing the educational experience for pupils, and while the senior leadership team has made strides in revitalizing the school culture, further work is needed to improve the quality of education. The curriculum is well-structured in certain subjects, with clear outlines of essential topics and a logical sequence that builds on prior knowledge. However, in most subjects, the curriculum lacks detailed guidance on what pupils need to learn, leading to uncertainty among teachers about what to teach and when.
Assessment practices vary among staff, with some effectively identifying gaps in learning and adapting their teaching accordingly. However, many teachers do not utilize assessment effectively enough to address misconceptions or knowledge gaps, resulting in persistent misunderstandings that hinder learning. The school has established a strong reading culture, with pupils engaging with a diverse range of books, and older pupils supporting younger ones as reading ambassadors.
The phonics curriculum is well-structured, but some staff lack the expertise to deliver it effectively, causing delays in pupils learning to read. Leaders have not consistently monitored the implementation and impact of the curriculum, leading to variability in pupils' experiences. There is a need for leaders to ensure that all staff are adequately trained in early reading instruction to support pupils in becoming fluent readers.
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders prioritizing pupil safety and staff being vigilant in addressing concerns. Leaders are knowledgeable about the risks in the community and ensure that pupils are educated on how to stay safe in various situations.
To improve, the school must ensure that all staff are well-trained in teaching early reading and that the curriculum is clearly defined across all subjects. Teachers need support in using assessment effectively to identify and address gaps in knowledge. Leaders should also enhance their monitoring of curriculum implementation to ensure consistency and quality in education. Overall, while Holy Rosary Catholic Voluntary Academy has strengths, particularly in personal development and safeguarding, there are significant areas for improvement in the quality of education provided to pupils.
