The biggest Catholic school in Reading has been rated ‘Good’ by education inspectors.

Blessed Hugh Faringdon School is a state secondary with oversight by the Catholic Church located in Fawley Road, Southcote.

Staff currently teach more than 1,000 pupils aged 11 to 18.

The school has retained its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating following a visit from the education inspectorate.

Hugh Faringdon School was found to have provided an inclusive environment for pupils, including for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Staff were praised for facilitating a range of clubs, trips and school events which inspectors judged ‘contribute to a rich and varied programme’.

The school recently celebrated a Mass in honour of Blessed Hugh Faringdon on Friday, November 17.

Hugh Faringdon was the last abbot of Reading Abbey and was executed on charges of high treason in 1539.

On religious matters, which contribute to its functions as a faith school, the inspectors said: “Pupils deepen their knowledge about topics that are important to them.

“They develop a strong understanding of their own faith and relish learning about the similarities and differences of other faiths.

“Pupils told inspectors that they ‘are hungry and curious to learn about other pupils’ perspectives’.

“There is a rich cultural diversity in the school, and everyone cherishes the opportunity to celebrate and learn about other cultures.”

Hugh Faringdon School is headed by Dr Simon Uttley, who has recently celebrated good GCSE and A Level results.

Dr Uttley said: “In a year when national attainment declined, we are proud to have bucked the trend at GCSE, where core attainment has improved, as well as seeing our Sixth Form students off to university and other settings, including the Universities of Oxford and Durham.

“We are proud of our students, and our staff, for their resilience during such a challenging few years, and this year’s results are a testimony to their commitment.”

Hugh Faringdon School was last visited by Ofsted in 2017, where inspectors judged that the School was ‘Good’.

At the time, inspectors called on staff to improve teaching consistency and ensure lessons for Sixth Form students were planned effectively.

On its website, the school has an aspiration of achieving an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted in the future.

A document written by school staff stated that improvements since 2017 had been made by developing clear policies on best practice, quality teaching and effective recruitment.

The latest inspection report was published in November, with the inspection taking place over two days in September.

To improve, inspectors have told school staff to refine the curriculum for SEND pupils, as inspectors felt support provided for these pupils is not as effective as it could be.