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Catholic School Inspection

CSI inspections

National Framework

Since September 2022, all denominational inspections within the Archdiocese of Birmingham have been undertaken by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate.

With Christ at the heart of all that we do, we are so proud of the children, staff and community here at St Francis Xavier school, each made in the image and likeness of God.

On the 4th and 5th December 2024, we were inspected under the Catholic Schools Inspectorate framework, and we are delighted to share with you the report below:

Here are some of the delightful comments that can be found in the CSI inspection report following inspection in December 2024:

-The school’s mission statement, ‘Jesus holds us in the palm of his hand’, is embraced by all.

-All pupils know they are valued and they talk about examples of how they know they
are cared for.

-Staff want the best for all pupils and their families and talk about how they are driven by love in
their vocation.

-Pupils are incredibly welcoming and talk confidently about following Jesus’ example of welcome. This extends to pupils of other faiths
within the school, who say they feel valued.

-Parents value the support the school gives them and their children, and parish links are strengthening.

-Teachers’ subject knowledge is good, and there is a deep commitment to establishing high
expectations, as evidenced by the rapid improvements over the last 12 months.

-The curriculum for religious education is imaginative and well-sequenced, and leaders ensure
that standards match those of other core subjects.

-Prayer is central to all aspects of school life for staff and pupils. All school community members
highly value the naturally embedded moments of prayer.

-Pupils with lower prior attainment are particularly well supported and receive opportunities to meet
expected standards, and subsequently, they achieve well.

Section 48 Inspections

Section 48 Inspection 2013

In May 2013 we had a Religious Education Inspection by the Archdiocese of Birmingham. The inspector judged that our school had remained outstanding since our previous RE inspection in June 2007 and noted how the school has continued to improve.

Below you can see some comments from the inspection report:

  • The Catholic ethos is very obvious in all of the school's work.
  • The children are proud to be part of a Catholic community.
  • Parents agree wholeheartedly that there are many opportunities for both children and themselves to be involved in the catholic life of the school.
  • The Governing Body are a supportive and challenging influence within the school community.
  • The school provides an outstanding Catholic life which is greatly appreciated and beneficial to all.
  • The school is rightly proud of the quality of their RE lessons; nothing but good or better is acceptable.
  • Children were enthusiastic and engaged in their learning.
  • A variety of creative teaching styles were used.
  • An outstanding aspect of the school is the extent to which pupils contribute to and benefit from the Catholic Life of the school.
  • These outstanding aspects have been used as exemplars for the purpose of a survey identifying best practice in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

You can read the full report below:

 

In July 2018, we had a Religious Education Inspection by the Archdiocese of Birmingham. The inspector judged that our school has remained outstanding since our previous RE Inspection in May 2013. We have made many positive improvements which you can read about in our inspection report. 

Some of the comments made in the report, include the following:

- This is an Outstanding Catholic school because the entire school community whole-heartedly and actively lives out its Catholic mission. The pupils have a profound understanding of their school motto, 'Jesus holds us in the palm of His hand.' They see it as their duty to tell others about this joyful message. 

 - Pupils of all ages are enthusiastically engaged in leading a wide variety of the Catholic Life of the school.

- Religious Education is very well planned and taught with great sincerity and skill by teachers.

- The school's leaders take great care to provide the necessary time and resources to enable the best quality experience of worship for pupils.

 

You can read the full inspection report below: