Exceptional Practice at St Bede’s

At St Bede’s, we work closely with many external agencies to help and support other schools. In other areas we have been recognised for our exceptional practice by being awarded the IQM Centre of Excellence Award, GL Centre of Excellence, Kitemark Platinum, Artsmark gold, Trinity Championship Status, Music mark, Arts Award Centre status, Rennaissance Partner School and Leeds University mental health gold award.  

We work closely with our Magnificat School Improvement Team to ensure that we are always striving for excellence in everything we do. As a result of this work, we offer   support within Our Lady of the Magnificat MAC, as we have two SLE’s currently working in school.  

The support varies from SEN support, teaching and learning, assessment, timetabling and practical support. Our Senior Assistant Principal was also invited to work alongside our MAC NLE as part of the DFE TSO program to support a local primary and middle school and our Head of Language and Communication Faculty has also worked in the DFE TSO program to support another local middle school supporting them to improve Ks2 English standards. Our Office manager is a beacon of success and was a finalist in the Worcestershire Teaching Awards and she provides support to other schools in the MAC, offering online and personal support for issues around school organisation and Bromcom. Our Headteacher is the lead for primary computing across the MAC and supports 16 schools in delivering an exceptional IT curriculum. We contribute heavily to MAC events, with St Bede's staff organising the MAC Sports day and numerous MAC musical and arts events throughout the year. One of our SLE’s, leads the Music across the primary schools in the MAC ensuring that all MAC schools met the new National Plan for music as set out by the government. 

Our Senior Assistant Principal works closely with GL Assessment and Rennaissance Learning to support schools from around the country in their use of GL Assessment and Accelerated Reading. We have hosted support sessions where headteachers from as far afield as Lytham St Annes have attended to see the exceptional practice that takes place at St Bede’s and effective use of assessment systems. 

We are a school that supports many teacher training establishments including South Bromsgrove SCITT, University of Worcester, St John’s University of Worcester, Newman University, University of Birmingham and Bishop Challenor Teaching Alliance. Both the SENCO and the Senior Assistant Headteacher have taken time out to deliver sessions on inclusion and effective use of assessments for students at Bishop Challenor due to our close working relationship. 

As an IQM Centre of Excellence and Flagship School, our SENCO and Assistant SENCO have contributed to local IQM Hub workshops to help improve and develop inclusive practices in schools across Worcestershire and beyond, speaking at local, regional and national events.  We are often visited by colleagues from other schools in order for them to see the exceptional practice that takes place, this in turn helps them to develop their own provision.  

St Bede’s was chosen as a pilot school for the revolutionary project called ‘Everyone Needs a Mentor’.  Deputy Headteacher Jon Shires has worked closely with Professor David Clutterbuck to create a small team of staff and students to work on developing this project throughout the year. Once trained students from Yr7 & Yr5 will mentor younger students.  It was a privilege to be asked to be a pilot school from such a renowned educational writer. 

We are heavily involved with Redditch Sports and PE Association and our Heads of Boys’ and Girls’ PE arrange many sporting events that take place in and around the district and host many of the competitions on our school site. This is done by working closely with other schools that follow the PESSCO model that enables pupils at St Bede's to partake in more competitions and activities that would normally be available. 

“There are many wider curriculum opportunities for pupils. There is a strong ethical element to spiritual, moral, social, vocational and cultural education which is linked to the school’s vision and values. Every week there are multiple after-school activities provided for pupils.” OFSTED January 2023 

Two of our staff have been recognised by the Arts Award Council for the work they have done within school. Please read the link below: 

https://blog.artsaward.org.uk/advisers-work-were-loving-this-valentines-day-0-0