All Saints Catholic College in Dukinfield is celebrating its ‘Denominational Inspection Report’ classing it ‘Good’ across the board.

A ‘Denominational’ report is the equivalent of an Ofsted inspection and they usually take place every four/five years close to the actual Ofsted school inspections.

The latest report is a significant achievement and is evidence of the journey the college has been on after having previously been judged ‘Requires Improvement’ in March 2017.

The Denominational Inspection evaluates three key areas, these being Catholic life, religious education and  collective worship.

Headteacher Gus Diamond said he was ‘exceptionally proud’ of the result, explaining that Denominational inspections are undertaken at all faith schools, regardless of the denomination with establishments inspected by their own diocese.

All Saints was part of a pilot of working towards national denominational inspections.

The latest inspection at the college was due to take place in March 2020 and originally in the diary for two days after lockdown.

That meant the inspection had to be delayed until later this year - with the results just in.

The inspectors speak with representations from across  the school community, including pupils, staff, governors and parents.

“We are exceptionally proud of the results,” said the head.

“In 2017 we were ‘Requires Improvement’ and we are now solidly ‘Good’ in every area of the school.

“It’s a collective achievement of all the stakeholders here at All Saints.”

Mr Diamond added that they worked hard to maintain the collective Catholic ethos throughout Covid, with pupils able to access assemblies via Zoom and major celebrations still observed, albeit online.

“If I put the result down to anything  I think it is the faith our parents and our community has put in the school.

“Our community has grown and these years later, since 2017, we are really showing the faith that those parents put in to the school,” he said.

“Today it’s the pupils, the staff and the parents that make All Saints the special place that it is.”

Inspectors praised the college for being a ‘good college and the whole community is committed to the ongoing improvements required to take the college forward.’

Inspectors also noted that there is a ‘strong sense of ethical leadership and decision making that ensure that all pupils have access to the same experiences and opportunities regardless of their background.’

It was also noted how the pupils themselves are ‘very proud of their college, and all spoke of the welcome ‘support and care they receive daily’.

Links with parishes and partner primary schools are also improving, it was reported.

Inspectors added that pupils are ‘proud of their college and its values’ and ‘behaviour around the college is good and there is a friendly atmosphere’.

How the school had continued to operate throughout the lockdown was also considered in terms of pupils’ learning and well-being with regard to pastoral care.

Pastoral support was highlighted in the report to be a particular strength of the college.

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