St Bede’s Catholic Academy in Stockton, which is part of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, was assessed under Ofsted’s new system, which replaces the previous overall effectiveness grade with detailed report cards across key areas of school performance.
The primary school in Green Lane earned the highest possible grading for behaviour and attendance, while inspectors identified strong practice in inclusion, personal development and wellbeing, curriculum, teaching, leadership and governance. Early Years was judged to be at the expected standard.
Stuart McGhee, chief executive of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, said: “As a family of schools, our Catholic ethos and commitment to supporting one another sit at the heart of all we do.
“St Bede’s is a special place to learn and work, and we are delighted that this has been recognised.
“Our commitment to education extends far beyond our own schools and we are incredibly proud of the work St Bede’s is doing in the wider community.”
Ofsted inspectors described the Stockton school as offering “a warm welcome and a safe place to thrive within its aspirational and caring community.”
The academy was recently recognised by the Government as a lead school for its “track record of improving attendance and behaviour standards.”
Bernadette Rizzi-Allan, headteacher at St Bede’s, said: “This is a huge achievement for our whole community and fantastic testament to our wonderful children and dedicated, hard-working staff.
“The high expectations that we share with our children allow them to go into the world and be amazing contributors to British society.
“We’re all feeling incredibly proud.
“We’re thrilled that the inspectors saw clearly that St Bede’s is a school where children thrive, aspiration is nurtured and excellence is not an aim but an expectation.
“We are a popular and oversubscribed school for good reason.
“St Bede’s is a school where children are happy, thriving and achieving incredibly well.”
Mrs Rizzi-Allan said the report reflected the school’s ongoing high performance.
She said: “Our children continue to outperform pupils nationally, and the report highlights that ‘pupils achieve highly’.
“We were especially proud to read that the attainment of disadvantaged pupils is ‘consistently above the national average’.
“This shows our commitment to giving every child the very best chance to succeed.
“They do so well because their parents and carers send them to school every day.
“We cannot educate those we cannot see.”
Ofsted praised St Bede’s inclusive culture, particularly its support for SEND and vulnerable pupils.
The report stated: “Inclusion shines out through the school’s work,” highlighting the school’s “unwavering commitment to supporting every pupil.”
Inspectors commended St Bede’s staff as “highly skilled, dedicated and knowledgeable,” and said the curriculum from early years to Year 6 provides “a nurturing environment…laying secure foundations for future learning.”
Behaviour was rated ‘Exceptional’, with inspectors noting: “Pupils’ behaviour across the school is impressive.
“Classrooms are calm, purposeful places, where learning can flourish.
“Bullying is extremely rare.”
Mrs Rizzi-Allan said: “At St Bede’s, children are truly at the heart of everything we do.
“This report reflects the love, effort and dedication that goes into their school experience every single day.
“This achievement belongs to every child, every family and every member of staff.
“Together, we have created something very special.”
