The Catholic Education Service for England and Wales (CESEW) launched two new publications, Value Added: the Distinctive Contribution of Catholic Schools and Colleges in England and the CESEW Digest of 2009 Census Data for Schools and Colleges on Monday 10 January 2011.
Data from Value Added demonstrates that, according to Ofsted inspections, Catholic schools rated consistently better than average on all criteria. In terms of overall effectiveness, Ofsted judged 73% of Catholic secondary schools to be outstanding or good, compared to 60% of schools nationally. For primary schools, 74% of Catholic schools were judged outstanding or good compared to 66% nationally.
The Census Digest shows that these results are achieved with intakes of Catholic schools that are socially diverse. The data shows that Catholic schools have similar proportions of children eligible for free school meals as schools nationally have, and are more ethnically mixed than schools nationally.
Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Chairman of CESEW, said “These two publications make it very clear that Catholic education continues to make a very important contribution to the future of our society. Furthermore they show just how well taxpayers’ money is spent when it is channelled into Catholic schools.”
Oona Stannard, Chief Executive and Director of CESEW, added, “These publications demonstrate that our high standards are not a flash in the pan but carefully sustained and nurtured over time. I am particularly pleased to note that our achievements are also matched by conspicuously high scores for personal development, including enjoyment of school. To have such happy and successful outcomes doesn’t just benefit the pupils- nearly 30% of whom are not Catholic – but also shows the Church making an investment in the future well being of society through Catholic schools.”
For further information please contact Maeve McCormack by emailing mmccormack@cesew.org.uk
Value Added: the Distinctive Contribution of Catholic Schools and Colleges in England and the CESEW Digest of 2009 Census Data for Schools and Colleges are both available to download below:
Education: Digest of 2009 Census Data
Education: Distinctive Contribution of Catholic Schools and Colleges in England
1. There are 2289 Catholic schools in England and Wales, representing 10% of the total number of schools nationally.
2. In terms of overall effectiveness, Ofsted judged 73% of Catholic secondary schools to be outstanding or good, compared to 60% of schools nationally. For primary schools, 74% of Catholic schools were judged outstanding or good compared to 66% nationally.
3. In terms of the contextual value added measure, 58% of Catholic secondary schools had above average scores, compared to 39% of schools nationally.
4. The proportion of pupils gaining level 4 or above in Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) at age 11 was consistently around 5% higher in Catholic schools than in schools nationally.
5. At GCSE level, the proportion of students obtaining 5 or more GCSEs at A*-C (including English and Maths) was consistently at least 6% higher in Catholic schools than in schools nationally.
