St Nicholas’ Catholic Academy is celebrating a glowing Ofsted report following its inspection in January 2025, securing a well-deserved ‘Good in all areas’ rating. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Academy, reinforcing its commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-achieving, and nurturing learning environment for all pupils.
The report highlights the academy’s exceptional ability to integrate and welcome families from all over the world, ensuring every child feels at home. Inspectors noted how pupils “arrive at school eager to learn” and are “greeted warmly by staff who know them well.” One pupil captured the school’s ethos perfectly, saying, ‘You can come to this school and be whoever you are’.
St Nicholas continues to set high expectations for its pupils, and these expectations are met. The Ofsted report praised the Academy’s strong academic performance, stating that pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), “achieve well” and “leave the school well prepared for the next stage in their education.”
Beyond academic success, the academy fosters confident, kind, and respectful pupils. The report notes how pupils “move calmly around school,” are “polite and helpful,” and “relish helping those who need it.” The Academy’s commitment to character development is evident through initiatives such as fundraising events and community support projects, where pupils dress up to raise money and donate food to local families.
Ofsted also praised the academy’s broad and enriching extracurricular offer, with clubs such as chess, multi-sports, and drama, as well as competitive sports teams that bring pupils together in friendly competition. The report particularly highlighted the girls’ and boys’ football teams, who continue to enjoy success in their matches.
The strength of St Nicholas’ curriculum was also a key highlight, with inspectors acknowledging the collaborative work between the school and St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust (CMAT) to design “well-sequenced and progressive” subject curriculums. Teaching staff were praised for their “secure knowledge,” enabling them to deliver engaging and effective lessons. Pupils, including those with SEND, confidently discuss their learning, demonstrating strong retention of knowledge.
Reading is another pillar of St Nicholas’ success. Inspectors noted that the school gives reading “a high priority” and ensures that children develop a love for books from the earliest stages. New pupils, including those whose first language is not English, are given expert support to quickly develop their literacy skills, ensuring they can access the full curriculum.
This achievement is not just a triumph for St Nicholas Catholic Academy but also a testament to the success of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust as a whole. St Nicholas becomes the fourth school within the Trust to receive a ‘Good in all areas’ judgment from Ofsted, demonstrating the Trust’s unwavering dedication to excellence in Catholic education.
With this latest success, St Joseph CMAT continues to set a high standard for Catholic education, ensuring that every child within its schools receives the support, guidance, and opportunities they need to thrive. St Nicholas’ Catholic Academy’s Ofsted result is a proud moment for the school community and a celebration of what can be achieved through strong leadership, dedicated staff, and engaged pupils.
