Untitled Document

97% AND COUNTING

In the recent inspection report for Cardinal Newman School the inspectors commented:

"Cardinal Newman provides a very good quality of life for its pupils and an educational ethos where all are valued and supported".

Their report commented on the "good quality" of the pupils spiritual, social, cultural and moral education, and in an era when information technology assumes ever greater significance it noted that the school had a "detailed ICT development plan" and that the use of ICT in the school was "good".

In 97% of lessons observed during the inspection standards of achievement were "satisfactory or better" compared to a Wales average of 93%, with 59% of the work being "good or better" compared to a national figure of just 48%.

Such high standards were reflected in results achieved by pupils in external tests and exams with Key Stage 3 National Curriculum assessment results particularly noteworthy for being well above the national averages in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science. At GCSE level higher pass grades were also above the national average and reflected a 10% improvement since the schools last inspection in 1994 - a trend noted by the Inspection Team who reported "a significant improvement in standards of achievement" in the past six years.

However, the inspectors also recognised that 1999 had been a difficult year for the school which had seen the death of one teacher as a result of the Pontypridd meningitis outbreak and the loss of a number of staff due to budgetary restrictions. 'It is to the great credit of the Governing Body, the Head Teacher and Staff of the school", states the report, "that progress has continued to be made during an extremely difficult period".

Speaking after the inspection, Head Teacher Peter Nash said "I'm delighted with this Inspection Report which is a reflection of all the hard work put in by staff and of course the pupils themselves. We will continue to build on this achievement for the benefit of all our pupils and the community we serve."

Chair of Governors, Rory Simmonds, echoed this view, saying, "It's 97% and counting This is an excellent school and we as governors must do our bit to ensure that these high standards are maintained. We have already begun to address the issues for action noted by the Inspectors, particularly the need to continue improving the accommodation within the school. I want to pay particular tribute to the leadership provided by the Head Teacher and to the continued hard work and commitment of the staff and pupils."
ENDS.