Ofsted inspectors have rated St Francis Xavier School in Richmond outstanding in all areas.
The school received the highest rating for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.
The report stated: “Pupils at the school benefit considerably from the education and wider experiences they receive.
“Academically, pupils achieve exceptionally well, meeting the school’s extremely high expectations. The school also supports them to develop as young people.
“The school has extremely high expectations for pupils’ behaviour. Pupils’ conduct is consistently excellent. Pupils’ successes, both at school and in the community, are routinely celebrated.”
Headteacher Jacqueline Prime said the whole school community is delighted with the outcome of the inspection.
“I could not be any prouder of our students, our staff and the whole community that contributes towards making St Francis Xavier the exceptional school it is,” she said.
“Every day, individuals go above and beyond to make sure that every student is given the opportunity to flourish and every day our students respond with unbounding positivity and determination, never allowing us to forget what amazing young people they are.
“Our report rightly recognises the way students behave and respect one another as being a key contributor to their success. It also highlights the quality and expertise of our staff, which is well deserved. I feel incredibly blessed to work with such an incredible team.
“Finally, I would like to thank our colleagues at Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT) for their continuous support.”
Hugh Hegarty, chief executive officer of NPCAT, which runs the school, said: “This Ofsted report is further evidence of how important NPCAT’s infrastructure and operational capacity is to supporting leadership and staff in delivering outstanding outcomes and provision.
“I must congratulate the leadership and staff and all the governors who have embraced NPCAT’s vision, which supports the needs of all our pupils who continue to achieve well above national averages.”
Ofsted praised the joint Roman Catholic and Church of England school’s programme of educational visits, including geography students who visited Iceland to learn about glaciers and other natural features and another group who are raising funds to visit Kenya, where they will help with renovation work at a local school.
“The school’s culture is designed around its gospel values,” the report continued. “These are reflected in the interactions of all members of the school community. Pupils are considerate of others. In lessons, they listen attentively and value the contributions of peers. Pupils recognise the importance of working hard.
“Knowledgeable staff are experts in the subjects that they teach and how to teach them. Pupils develop a strong understanding of the subjects they study.
“The school’s extensive enrichment programme provides opportunities that align with its values. The school provides pupils with a breadth of opportunities that enrich their education.”
Ofsted also highlighted pupils’ involvement in charitable and social action projects, such as by joining a march against poverty, and older pupils acting as mentors for younger peers.
The report says: “Pupils explained the importance of these leadership roles, telling inspectors that it helps them to ‘take care of other people and yourself’. The school prepares pupils well to be positive members of society.
“Those with responsibility for governance know the school well. They make regular checks on the effectiveness of the school’s work. They use what they know to provide effective support and challenge to the school.
“Staff are highly committed to the school and its pupils. They are consulted by the school on issues that affect their roles. They value the supportive approach of leaders in the school and the wider trust.”
A newly published Progress 8 score of 1.01 placed SFX top of all secondary schools in North Yorkshire and in the top 1.5 per cent of all schools nationally.
The post SFX rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas appeared first on Richmondshire Today.