St Bernard’s Catholic High School is a secondary comprehensive school located in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The school has recently undergone its first inspection since converting to an academy in September 2021. The inspection took place on 27 and 28 September 2022, and the overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good. The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all rated as good as well.
The school fosters a positive learning environment that emphasizes kindness, hard work, and resilience. Pupils report feeling valued and safe, enjoying strong relationships with staff. They appreciate the school’s commitment to respecting individual differences and feel confident that any instances of bullying are addressed promptly by teachers and staff. The leadership team has high expectations for pupil behaviour and achievement, which most students meet. The curriculum is ambitious and broad, allowing pupils to study a wide range of subjects in a calm and orderly classroom setting.
Pupils benefit from an extensive programme of extracurricular activities that enrich their educational experience. They engage enthusiastically in various clubs and sports and participate in residential visits both locally and in Europe. The school’s leadership has high aspirations for its pupils, although there is a noted low proportion of students following the full English Baccalaureate suite of subjects in key stage four. This situation is attributed to the legacy of the previous curriculum, but leaders are actively working to implement a more ambitious curriculum that encourages more pupils to pursue the full suite of qualifications.
In most subjects, the curriculum is well-organized, with a clear focus on the knowledge pupils should learn and the order in which it should be taught. Regular opportunities for pupils to revisit and practice their learning contribute to their success in these subjects. However, in a small number of subjects, the curriculum planning is less developed, leading to gaps in pupils’ knowledge and hindering their progress. Leaders are aware of this issue and are working to ensure that all subjects have a clear curriculum framework.
The school effectively identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring that they can access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. There is a strong emphasis on developing pupils’ reading and vocabulary skills, with dedicated reading time and effective support for those at the earliest stages of learning to read.
Pupils demonstrate positive behaviour and attitudes towards their learning, showing resilience in the face of challenges. The personal development curriculum is robust, teaching pupils about different faiths and cultures, as well as how to maintain their health and well-being. The school prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain, and a well-designed careers programme supports their transition into further education, employment, or training.
The school’s leadership is held accountable by trustees and governors, who monitor the quality of education effectively. Leaders consider staff workload and well-being, contributing to a positive working environment where staff feel proud to be part of the school community. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong culture of vigilance and prompt action taken to address any concerns regarding pupil safety and well-being.
To improve further, the school needs to increase the proportion of pupils following the full English Baccalaureate curriculum to enhance their future opportunities. Additionally, leaders should finalize curriculum planning in subjects where it is less developed to ensure that all teachers are clear about the essential knowledge to be taught. Overall, St Bernard’s Catholic High School is a supportive and effective educational institution that prioritizes the well-being and success of its pupils.
