Students and staff at Bishop Justus CE School are celebrating after receiving a glowing report from the Church of England’s school inspectorate SIAMS.
SIAMS explores ways in which each school’s theologically rooted Christian vision drives its work and enables the school to live up to its foundation as a Church school. The report is a reflection of the entire school community at Bishop Justus CE School, including hardworking staff, thoughtful students, and supportive parents and carers.
The report recognised that the school’s six virtues, faith, hope, wisdom, courage, kindness and love, “provide a meaningful and enduring language of personal and spiritual growth.” Inspectors remarked that they “are a transformative tool that sharpens students’ understanding of what it means to live fully.”
At the heart of this report is a celebration of the school’s deeply Christian vision: Success through Faith, Love and Learning, inspired by the Good Shepherd in John 10:10. The inspector observed how this vision is not only embedded in strategic decisions and the curriculum but is also lived out daily by staff and students. The school’s commitment to inclusion, belonging and compassion was emphasised throughout the report.
Further highlights from the report include:
- “Shaped by the school’s vision, the broad curriculum supports rounded development and prepares students well for a fulfilling future.”
- “The culture of the school is profoundly inclusive and welcoming. Students and adults thrive in an environment of love and belonging in which the commitment that ‘no-one is an outsider’ is a living reality.”
- “Through a range of partnerships, the school actively engages with the wider community. This commitment to making a difference is modelled to students so that they also have a keen sense of service and responsibility.”
- “The thoughtful and broad curriculum for religious education (RE) challenges students to engage insightfully with complex issues. Through this they are enabled to talk thoughtfully about their own views and beliefs, and to flourish in a diverse society.”
- “High quality careers education helps students to look forward confidently to their next steps.”
- “Staff work tirelessly to provide effective and tailored support for vulnerable students and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The particular needs of students are quickly identified and understood, so that they can be fully involved in the life of the school. Students with English as an additional language (EAL) flourish here.”
- The school’s vision “embeds a culture of persistent and loving care for everyone.”
- “The school has a broad and long-term view of flourishing that aims to lay strong foundations for life. Parents appreciate this nurturing and hopeful perspective.”
- “Trips and enrichment opportunities raise aspirations and contribute meaningfully to students’ cultural awareness.”
- “The relationship with the trust strengthens the vision. It provides a wider and supportive context in which, in the words of the trust vision, ‘life-transforming learning’ can take place.”
- “Students and adults of all faiths and none appreciate the opportunity to come together and reflect on shared values.”
Samantha Thompson, Headteacher at Bishop Justus CE School, said: “I am delighted with this incredibly positive SIAMS report, which reflects our Christian values and the positive impact they have on students and staff.
“I was particularly pleased that our virtues of faith, hope, wisdom, courage, kindness and love were recognised as supporting our students’ personal and spiritual growth.”
Kathy Griffiths, CEO of Aquinas CE Education Trust, said: “Congratulations to Ms Thompson and the entire school community at Bishop Justus for this wonderful SIAMS report, which reflects their commitment to delivering life-transforming-learning with a deeply embedded Christian ethos.”