As a Catholic school, the Section 48 Inspection reports on the Catholic life and mission, our quality of religious education and the quality of our collective worship. Our last inspections were conducted in July 2017 and June 2024.  Inspectors from the Catholic Schools Inspectorate visited St Bernard's and spoke to children, staff and observed lessons. On both occasions, we were delighted that outstanding practice in religious education was recognised. Our June 2024 report is attached below.

In a Catholic school, religious education should be accorded the same status and taught with the same rigour as the core subjects of the National Curriculum. 

As the new Religious Education Curriculum Directory (2012) stated:

“Religious education is central to the curriculum of the Catholic school and is at the heart of the philosophy of Catholic education”.  Furthermore, the Catholic school has a particular identity that is reflected in its life and worship. 

- Rt Rev Mark Davies