Headteacher's Blog Post - Monday 31st March 2025

The past month has been ‘book-ended’ by the beginning of Lent at the start of the month, and by the publication of our Estyn inspection report today, as the month draws to a close. These markers have characterised in so many ways the events and activities that have taken place between them.

Wednesday 5th March marked the beginning of the Lenten period, a time of reflection, repentance and spiritual renewal, and one where we make extra commitments for giving to those in need. Our Ash Wednesday Service was a truly moving and prayerful occasion, led with reverence by our dedicated Faith Council. This service reminded us of the importance of humility, self-discipline and seeking to draw closer to God during this holy season.

During the service, ashes were distributed to pupils and staff as a sign of our commitment to the Lenten journey. The Faith Council played a pivotal role in planning the service, in leading prayers and reflections, in distributing the ashes and encouraging our school community to embrace acts of kindness, charity and spiritual growth. Their leadership was inspiring, and I am very proud indeed of the way our pupils embraced the call to deepen their faith during this time.

The school’s annual Eisteddfod once more gave rise to genuine pride in our pupils’ determination to use their gifts and talents fully. The preceding competitions produced some outstanding work across the full range of departments, and the stage competitions were truly impressive, with diverse talents being showcased and a fantastic finale! The pupils presenting, performing and indeed those in the audiences demonstrated patriotism and real pride in our Welsh heritage and culture.

World Book Day saw the school populated by a varied range of beings – from a dinosaur (an amazing inflatable costume, if you’re curious!) to Dr. Seuss and Harry Potter characters, knights and Cruella De Vil, accompanied by an impressive number (though not quite the full one hundred and one!) Dalmatians!

Project team meetings for the new school building have been exciting, and have demonstrated that the project is really gathering pace! We have looked at the site in closer detail, and are in the process of submitting ‘wishlists’ for each department and each aspect of the school’s work, for the concept architects to consider and endeavour to incorporate into the overarching design! A pupil reference group will also be meeting with the project team very soon!

The examination classes have been working with real focus and determination in preparation for next term’s exams. The time in school when return from the Easter break, and prior to the exam series commencing, is shorter than usual due to the late Easter break, therefore they are putting in great effort now, as they know that this time really counts! We keep all of these pupils in our prayers.

As referenced at the start of this entry, our Estyn inspection report was published today, and I am delighted to share with you below a selection of the inspection team’s findings. As you will be aware, inspections are thorough and rigorous processes, and the large and experienced team that visited us met with countless pupils, observed lessons, viewed books, read through pupil, parent/carer, governor and staff questionnaires and got to know our school incredibly well over the four day process. We were thrilled that they recognised how exceptional our pupils are, and the very special character of Bishop Vaughan! Our pupils truly shone in the ways that they interacted with the inspectorate and we are proud that the report reflects this.

With sincere thanks to all in our school community for contributing to that community and ensuring that our pupils have such a very wide range of ways in which to fulfil their potential and live ‘lives to the full’, in line with our mission statement!

Wishing you a blessed remainder of Lent, and a joyful Easter next month!

Mrs Pole