Headteacher’s Welcome
Welcome to our website, which I hope offers you a flavour of the wonderful community that is St Gabriel’s RC High School.
Our school holds a strong reputation within the local community and the diocese for our excellence in pastoral care, academic success and distinctive Catholic ethos. In our most recent diocesan inspection, St Gabriel’s was graded for outstanding in all areas. Students are successful in gaining college places and apprenticeships of their choice, choices that are built upon high aspirations. Students receive a broad and deep experience in Religious education that prepares them for a life of service in Modern Britain, equally students benefit from opportunities for regular collective worship through Mass and prayer, and actively participate in the Catholic mission of the school. My vision for our school family has Christ at the centre and the gospel values integral to all that we do.
Our most recent Ofsted Inspection in March 2023 graded the school as good in all areas, the first inspection since the school became part of the St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust. In that inspection they said of our pupils that “The majority of pupils meet leaders’ high expectations. They behave well and typically work hard.”. St Gabriel’s was commended for “providing a range of extra-curricular activities which the pupils enjoy” testament to the focus on developing the whole child socially and academically. St Gabriel’s has been on a successful journey of school improvement to reach the quality we now offer, supported by strong and supportive Senior Leaders, the local Governing body and a supportive Trust central team who hold high expectations for all our pupils and staff. We are proud of our school and it is an exciting time to be a part of the St Gabriel’s family.
Our school family comprises 1060 students and their parents/carers, as well as approximately 130 members of talented teaching and support staff. Many colleagues are past pupils of St Gabriel’s and/ or send their children to the school which is testimony to the strong ethos and culture and warmth of the school community. Our children are taught by passionate subject specialists that inspire a life-long love of learning. We work in close partnership with 14 other schools and share expertise across secondary and primary to ensure we deliver and excellent quality of education.
We are proud that the school has served the local community for 70 years having opened in 1954. We hold dear our traditions and history but continue to provide an innovative forward thinking and collaborative school that the local community can continue to be proud of. We strive to provide our students with the very best experience of catholic education and never become complacent despite our recognised strengths.
