Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of St Matthew’s RC High School on February 6 and 7, 2024, following the school's previous judgment to require special measures in November 2022. The purpose of this inspection was to assess the progress made by the school since the last visit, rather than to evaluate its overall effectiveness. The inspection involved discussions with senior leaders, trustees, governors, and local authority representatives, as well as classroom observations and reviews of student work and school documentation.
The findings indicate that while progress has been made, further work is necessary for the school to be removed from special measures. The school has appointed a new subject leader for English and strengthened its pastoral and attendance teams. Leaders have taken decisive actions to improve the quality of education, demonstrating a clear understanding of what is working well and what needs further attention. The improvement plan is comprehensive and includes appropriate actions for development.
Significant strides have been made in enhancing the quality of education. The school has established well-designed curriculums for each subject, identifying essential knowledge for all students, including those with special educational needs. This structured approach has increased staff confidence and expertise, allowing for a more coherent build-up of students' knowledge over time. Training has been provided to staff to enhance their teaching skills, resulting in improved student recall of learning. However, there are still areas for improvement, particularly in how teachers check for understanding, as some misconceptions remain unaddressed.
Reading support for students has seen some improvements, with assessments now routinely conducted to identify those who struggle. Nevertheless, many students still lack the necessary support to address gaps in their reading knowledge, and the school is aware of this issue and has plans to address it. Attendance has become a priority, with effective tracking systems in place that have led to attendance rates exceeding the national average.
The personal, social, and health education curriculum has been broadened, allowing students to engage with a wider range of themes. This has better prepared them for life in modern Britain. Behaviour within the school has improved significantly, with a new behaviour policy clarifying expectations for students. While most classrooms adhere to this policy, there are instances where it is not consistently enforced, leading to occasional disruptions in learning. The school has gained better insights into behaviour trends, enabling targeted support for students who require it.
The culture of safeguarding has strengthened, with prompt actions taken to support students at risk of harm. The school has improved its engagement with stakeholders, fostering better relationships with parents and carers, who now have a more positive view of the education their children receive. Staff feel valued and supported, and students express pride in their school.
Trustees and local governing body members maintain close oversight of the school's progress, contributing to its capacity for improvement. The school continues to leverage support from the trust to enhance curriculum expertise and attendance levels. Overall, while the school has made commendable progress, ongoing efforts are required to ensure sustained improvement and ultimately to exit special measures.
