CATHOLIC SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
GRADE 1
It gives me great pleasure to share with you the Catholic Schools Inspectorate (CSI) report. Catholic schools are judged under three key areas: Catholic life and mission, Religious Education and Collective worship. We are delighted that the School has been judged Outstanding in all areas. Under the revised CSI framework, the threshold for the highest judgement has been raised, meaning that ‘Outstanding’ now reflects an exceptionally high standard across all areas of school life.
This judgement recognises the strength and breadth of New Hall’s Catholic life, the quality of Religious Education across the School, and the richness of Collective worship at its heart.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students, parents, and staff for their contributions towards this excellent report.
Mrs Katherine Jeffrey Principal
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Exemplary Conduct and Values
Overall Effectiveness & Pupil Behaviour
“Pupils are exceptionally proud of their school. They have a deep understanding of the school virtues which are lived out in their actions and exemplary, respectful and polite behaviour.”
“The moral development of pupils is given the highest priority.”
“They are happy, feel cared for, and have an excellent understanding of the school’s values.”
“Pupils... are able to debate, to think critically and to ask incisive questions to deepen their learning.”
“Teachers have a real and profound understanding of the impact religious education has on the moral and spiritual development of pupils.”
Academic Excellence and Deep Thinking Religious
Education
“In the Senior Divisions pupil outcomes at GCSE and A level are exceptional.”
“Teachers are exceptionally confident in their teaching of religious education across all phases, with high levels of specialist knowledge and expertise.”
“All pupils thoroughly enjoy their religious education and theology lessons evidenced in the high take up of theology A level and very high levels of attainment.”
A Culture of Care, Trust and Respect
Catholic Life and Mission
Pastoral Care
“The pastoral care provided by the highly committed staff is greatly valued by pupils and parents.”
“Staff are exemplary role models to pupils, embodying a culture of welcome and community.”
Liturgy
“The centrality of prayer and liturgy is evident through the richness of opportunities provided...”
“[The] team are therefore able to provide consistently high-quality experiences of prayer and liturgy.”
“The school provides imaginative and creative spaces for prayer and liturgy, including chapels that are well cared for, making them conducive to prayer.”
Ambitious Leadership and Vision Leadership
and Governance
“Parents are appreciative of the Catholic ethos of the school...”
Mrs Jeffrey and New Hall staff on a recent visit to the Priory of the Daughters of the Resurrection in Masaka, Rwanda.
“There is an unwavering commitment to Catholic social teaching through the school’s outreach work and fund raising for charity...”
Mrs Jeffrey and Mr Fardell, with the resident Canonesses at New Hall, receive their long service awards, having given 68 years of service between them, to Catholic education.
“Leaders and governors are highly ambitious and continually strive to ensure the Catholic identity and charism of the school remain at its centre.”
The New Hall Voluntary Service (NHVS) has been at the heart of New Hall’s community since 1978.
“The contribution of the seven organ scholarship pupils, who play at the school and in parishes, further reflects the exceptional provision.”
“Pupils are able to explain that prayer is important to them, particularly during times of difficulty, and that prayer helps them ‘get closer to God’.”
I congratulate Mrs Jeffrey, the New Hall staff and the students on achieving an overall Grade 1 rating for the quality of Catholic education in the recent CSI inspection. This outstanding result rightly recognises the strength of the School’s Catholic ethos and the way it is lived out daily by students and staff. Students are clearly proud of their School, benefiting from exceptional pastoral care delivered by highly committed staff. Inspectors also noted students’ excellent religious knowledge, supported by teachers who demonstrate high levels of specialist expertise. The School’s imaginative and creative spaces for prayer and liturgy further enrich the spiritual life of the community. The inspectors acknowledged Mrs Jeffrey’s leadership in redesigning and expanding the Chaplaincy provision and the commitment to ensure that prayer and liturgy remain at the heart of School life.
Mr Philip Wilson Chair of Governors
New Hall School, The Avenue, Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 3HS
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