Like all schools in the maintained sector, Catholic maintained schools are inspected by Ofsted. Catholic schools, both maintained and private, also have denominational inspections by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate. These inspections review and evaluate the school’s effectiveness in providing a Catholic education.
As with all school inspection, denominational inspections are not designed to catch schools out. The inspections enable dioceses to exercise a pastoral function on behalf of their Bishop. The Catholic Schools Inspectorate states that these inspections are one way in which, “a Bishop acts as a shepherd of his schools, protecting, supporting and encouraging them.”
Interestingly, in the 1852 First Synod of Westminster, expressed the preference for “the establishment of good schools to every other work. It also established inspection for Catholic schools. Education has long since been a firm priority of the Catholic Church, with Pope Benedict XVI stating: “Education is integral to the mission of the Church to proclaim the good news. First and foremost, every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth.”
Dioceses have a canonical (according to canon law) and legal duty, “to ensure that the inspection of their schools witnesses to Catholic values and are compatible with both the teachings of the Church and the law of the land.” When inspectors carry our inspections, they are doing this on behalf of the bishop of the diocese in which the school is situated. The Catholic Schools Inspectorate states that, “they must be able to act with integrity as his representative and must therefore be practising Catholics in full communion with the Catholic Church.”
What is inspected?
Chief Inspector, Philip Robinson, explained that a denominational inspection, or Catholic school inspection, inspects three elements of school life: religious education, collective worship, and school ethos. Leadership, provision, and outcomes are inspected in each element. Each of these three elements of inspection carry equal weight. Inspections are typically carried out every five years, and every three years for those schools that are deemed less than “good”.
Although the denominational inspection is an inspection, which in itself is an accountability measure, Robinson said, “We do emphasise to inspectors that inspections must be done with love, respect and communication. However, we do understand that if schools get an outcome they do not like, that is challenging. Inspection is a “head to head” encounter. That’s the dynamic. But we aim to do this fairly.”
As well as their communications with teachers, inspectors undertaking a denominational inspection will also hear from parents, pupils and governors. Clergy may similarly be involved where possible. Teachers of RE may be observed teaching and other school staff may be observed in relation to their work on daily acts of worship.
Schools with 105 pupils or fewer have one day inspections. Schools with more than 105 pupils are inspected for two days. There are usually two inspectors and these are often serving headteachers.
When it comes to inspecting the ethos of a Catholic school, inspectors will be looking at the ways in which Catholic values are demonstrated and lived out in the school’s community. Robinson explained, “This may be seen through the relationships between staff and pupils, and between pupils themselves.”
What happens after an inspection?
Initial feedback is given as soon as the inspection is over at the end of day two. A provisional judgement is also given. Within three weeks schools receive the final report.
Robinson is keen to stress that denominational inspections are not Catholic Ofsteds. He said, “These inspections are done within a context of faith. They are meant to be supportive and encouraging, and are an opportunity to tweak or amend the work of a school where necessary.”
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About the author
Elizabeth Holmes
After graduating with a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading, Elizabeth Holmes completed her PGCE at the Institute of Education, University of London. She then taught humanities and social sciences in schools in London, Oxfordshire and West Sussex, where she ran the history department in a challenging comprehensive. Elizabeth specialises in education but also writes on many other issues and themes. As well as her regular blogs for Eteach and FEjobs, her books have been published by a variety of publishers and translated around the world. Elizabeth has also taught on education courses in HE and presented at national and international conferences.
