St Dominic’s School rated ‘Strong’ across all areas in latest Ofsted inspection

We are delighted to share that St Dominic’s School has been recognised for its high standards across the board after receiving a ‘Strong’ rating in every category inspected by Ofsted, marking a significant achievement under the inspectorate’s updated framework.

Following a two-day inspection on 21 and 22 April 2026, the school was assessed under Ofsted’s revised grading system, introduced at the end of 2025. Inspectors concluded that the school is working above the expected standard in all key areas, including achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, personal development and wellbeing and post-16 provision.

The report highlights the school’s overall success: “The school is successful in its mission to give everyone a pathway to achieve ambitious goals and live life to the full.”

Inspectors praised the school’s positive safeguarding culture and described it as a “calm, purposeful and welcoming place,” “where pupils want to attend because staff make them feel like they belong” and the “pupils thrive and are valued as individuals.”

The strong relationships between staff and pupils are “warm, respectful and trusting,” and the personalised curriculum pathways and effective support that helps pupils overcome barriers to learning and prepare for adulthood are embedded throughout the report. Post-16 provision was also recognised for its ambitious and tailored approach.

Parents and carers were highly positive about the support provided, while staff were noted to “care deeply about the pupils and the community that they serve.”

Inspectors highlighted “leadership across all areas of the school’s work is deliberate, strategic and highly responsive to the needs of pupils. Leaders ensure that decisions are always made in the best interests of their pupils.”

Principal Vicky Perry, said; “We are incredibly proud of this outcome. It reflects the dedication of our staff, the resilience and achievements of our pupils and students and the strength of our whole school community. We work hard to ensure every young person feels valued, supported and able to succeed and it’s wonderful to see that recognised.”

The inspection affirms the school’s commitment to delivering high-quality education, fostering inclusion, listening to our pupils and students and supporting every pupil and student to reach their potential.

The full Ofsted report is available to read online here.