Cardinal Pole RC School
A Science Specialist College
Headteacher: K Hartigan, B.Ed (Hons) NPQH

Cardinal Pole is a Roman Catholic secondary school for boys and girls, based over two sites in Homerton, East London. There are currently over 1000 students. Our GCSE results in 2007 were the best in the school's history with 62% of our students achieving five or more A*- C GCSEs. Cardinal Pole is now the most improved school in the London Borough of Hackney. The school has won three DfES Achievement Awards for Excellence and our last OFSTED inspection was very successful. The school aims to promote the unique development of each pupil intellectually, socially and spiritually. To this end, stress is placed on self-discipline, hard work, punctuality, attendance and high expectations.

OFSTED: The school was inspected by Ofsted in January 2008 and their report can be viewed by clicking here.

Overall effectiveness of the school

A real strength of the school is its happy, caring ethos and emphasis on nurturing positive relationships. Students talk warmly about the 'caring atmosphere' in the school and the way they find all the staff very approachable. Parents are also largely positive about the school a comment, typical of their views was, 'Cardinal Pole is a good school which enables and empowers the child to reach their potential'.  The curriculum is good, offering a good choice of academic and vocational courses. Students are set challenging targets. Most students know their targets and how well they are working towards achieving them.

Personal development and well-being

Students' spiritual, social, moral and cultural development is good. Students respond well to the school's restorative approach in dealing with behaviour issues and instances of bullying are rare. Many positive strategies have resulted in the students' attendance and behaviour being good. Students feel safe and enjoy a calm learning environment, confident that teachers will address any concerns promptly and deal fairly and sensitively with them. They develop a strong commitment to racial equality and have a good understanding of diversity and citizenship through the school's promotion of religious values and opportunities.

Teaching and learning

Students have good relationships with their teachers and are keen to learn. Teachers' questioning is skilful, guiding and encouraging students to think ideas through for themselves. Lessons are well-planned to build on and reinforce previous learning.

Leadership and management

Leadership successfully focuses the attention of all members of the school community on ensuring students achieve well both in their academic and personal development.

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