Diocesan Inspection Report (January 2007)

The following are unedited quotes from the Inspection Report:

Leadership and management

The Headteacher of Bishop Thomas Grant School is outstanding as a Catholic leader and manager. Through his passion for and commitment to Catholic education he promotes a strong and clear vision and direction for the school as a Catholic learning community. In this he is very well supported by the governors, staff, pupils and parents. The senior leadership team has a secure knowledge of the school and their self-evaluation accurately identifies the school’s strengths and weaknesses and clearly outlines a pathway for improvement through the School Improvement Plan, the first component of which clearly gives priority to improving even further the Catholic life of the school.

The governing body is committed to the school, fully supportive of the leadership team and offer appropriate challenge in their role as ‘critical friend’.

Grade 1

Quality of Catholic life of the school

The inspectors agree with the school’s own judgement that the quality of its Catholic life is outstanding. That the school is distinctively Catholic is immediately obvious to the visitor in the entrance area, for example, by the bust of Bishop Thomas Grant, the large screen of the risen Christ, the many photos and plaques and from the warm and friendly welcome extended to visitors by pupils and staff. Other religious icons, paintings and displays of pupils’ work in classrooms and in corridors reinforce this Catholic distinctiveness.

The Mission Statement and gospel values are reflected in the excellent behaviour of the pupils and the very positive relationships between staff and pupils and between pupils. There is a distinctive ethos where each person is valued by and is of value to the whole learning community.

The pastoral care provision in the school is outstanding. The school has excellent relations with a whole range of external agencies to support its pupils. Liaison with feeder schools is also excellent and this leads to a very effective and smooth primary-to-secondary school transition. Pupils feel safe and cared for. They believe that staff want what is best for them and they believe staff will go out of their way to help and support them. They particularly appreciate the care and support they receive from the Headteacher and the chaplain. Attendance is very high and the vast majority of pupils enjoy being at the school and are happy there.

The school’s concern for its pupils is evidenced by a member of the senior management team driving round the local area after school each day to ensure the safety of its pupils.

Chaplaincy at Bishop Thomas Grant is excellent. The school is most fortunate to have the services of a first-class chaplain who is fully integrated into the pastoral system in supporting the pupils. She has successfully initiated the ‘Bully Buddies’ programme and also runs very effective training courses in leadership skills at Alverstoke for Year 11 prefects. These ‘Bully Buddies’ and prefects lead year and class assemblies to promote the on-going anti-bullying campaign. When any incident of bullying is identified the school effectively addresses the issue, employing the principle of restorative justice, thereby reflecting the school’s mission statement and gospel values. The chaplain also provides prayer booklets for form tutors to use at morning registration and this is appreciated by them.

There is a good programme of Retreats for Years 7 and 9 to Aylesford Priory and one for Year 10 is being planned. Links with local parishes are very good. Priests visit the school to celebrate voluntary Mass every Wednesday. These Masses are prepared by a form class on a rota basis but many other pupils also attend, as do many staff and some parents. Mass is also celebrated on Holy Days of obligation. The school very successfully promotes the pupils’ spiritual and moral development through assemblies, religious education lessons, Personal Social Health Education and through the excellent quality of its inter-personal relationships. The school also very successfully develops in the pupils an understanding of and appreciation for cultural diversity.

There are excellent opportunities for pupils to take responsibility, for example through the school council or as prefects. They show a keen awareness of less well off and vulnerable people and successfully organize fund-raising events to support a number of charities. The governing body has a number of priests on it who represent the parishes. The vast majority of parents are fully supportive and speak highly of the school.

Grade 1

Quality of provision for personal and collective worship

The culture of prayer and reflection at Bishop Thomas Grant is well established and is outstanding. There is an excellent programme of assemblies and Masses. The quality of the assembly seen during the inspection was excellent. Assemblies are well planned with pupils involved in the planning as well as in the delivery. There are excellent opportunities for pupil participation through reading, singing and drama. The pupils take part willingly and are respectful in their participation. The standard of organisation is very good and the pupil body’s attitude and response is excellent. There are ample opportunities for private reflection and meditation. The prayer at the end of assemblies unites the attendees as a worshiping community. Also on the day of the inspection an excellent Form Period act of worship was observed, on the theme of the work of St John Bosco, whose feast-day it was. It was well planned and delivered, involved pupils and made good use of ICT. It was prayerful and reflective. The chaplain provides excellent prayer booklets with weekly themes and prayers to assist form tutors.

There is a good programme of Masses with every pupil being able to attend on Holy Days, and a voluntary Mass every Wednesday when a form group takes responsibility to prepare and participate. These Masses are well attended by pupils, staff and some parents. In addition, the practice of a Mass of welcome for Year 7 pupils when they join the school and a leaver’s Mass for Year 11 is to be commended. In addition there are ample opportunities for pupils to pray together in Religious Education lessons and the chapel, which is tastefully furnished, and is open to al daily. The chapel is easily accessible and well used by pupils and staff for private reflection. A very touching aspect of the chapel is that it has photographs of deceased pupils and staff as a remembrance and inspiration of their life as part of the community.

Grade 1