Ofsted Report 2022

13th June 2022

Dear Parent,

The report from our recent Ofsted inspection is now available and can be found on our homepage at www.blessededward.co.uk. I am pleased to tell you that Blessed Edward’s remains a “Good” school.
Given the challenges of the last few years this is something we can all be proud of. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and it is humbling to read in the report that “parents and carers cannot recommend this school highly enough.” The opening line of the report captures the essence of our school. Inspectors have written that “Pupils matter at this caring and inclusive school.” This comment recognises the commitment, hard work and dedication of all our staff in ensuring that your children are at the centre of everything we do.
We have had two important inspections this academic year which have both resulted in positive endorsements for our school. In October 2021 there was a Section 48 RE and Catholic Life inspection and we were judged to be “Outstanding” followed by this recent Ofsted inspection. We know that the ethos of our school provides something unique and of real value for our students. Our commitment to everyone in our community growing as people of good character is at the heart of what we do while ensuring that our students are taught a broad and wide ranging curriculum which best meets their needs as recognised in the Ofsted report.
You will notice several references to the EBacc in the report and I want to explain what this piece of educational jargon means. The EBacc is a government imposed, school performance measure which has no relevance to the quality of a child’s education.

Blessed Edward’s has chosen not to follow the government agenda of insisting that students study EBacc subjects at GCSE as we firmly believe that this is not in the best interests of all students. If we were to comply with the EBacc our curriculum would be narrowed and students would have only one option choice at GCSE. They currently have three. Complying with the EBacc would mean sacrificing subjects such as Music, Art, Photography, Textiles, Performing Arts and I Media to name but a few. These subjects are valued by students, parents and staff. They make a significant contribution to the richness of the curriculum which enables our students to flourish and enjoy their learning.
We are extremely happy with the outcome of our two inspections this academic year. Staff at Blessed Edward’s are confident in what they do but continue to keep their feet on the ground and recognise that there is always room for further improvement. Plans are already in place to ensure that our school continues to develop and improve further while retaining the unique ethos which makes it such a special place to work and study. Please do take time to read the Ofsted report and if you have any questions or wish to discuss aspects of it please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,
Greg McClarey