Mr. English discusses recent accomplishments and school updates during this Q&A session

Since becoming headteacher, Mr. Andy English has brought new energy to Our Lady's Catholic School. With over two decades of dedicated service to education in Hackney, he is a seasoned leader committed to excellence. We recently sat down with him to delve into the school’s improvement journey including the decision to transition from an all-girls institution to a coeducational (mixed) school in September 2024 as well as the recent Ofsted report and public examination results.

Q1: There has been keen interest from parents to send both boys and girls in September 2024. What’s your vision for these incoming students? 

Mr English: It's wonderful to see such a high interest for Year 7 coeducational enrollment - it speaks volumes about our commitment to delivering a robust, well-rounded education. We aim to form a genuine bond with every student, celebrate their uniqueness, and equip them with the necessary skills to excel both academically and as responsible members of society.

Q2: What are the reasons behind transitioning the school to become co-educational in 2024?

Mr. English: Since its inception in 1904, Our Lady’s Catholic School has been a bastion of educational excellence and personal growth for girls. We now feel it's time to extend these opportunities to boys in our local and surrounding communities. The decision emerged from discussions with multiple stakeholders and is fuelled by our relentless commitment to broaden horizons for all students, irrespective of gender or faith. We envision that this transition will enrich the learning experience for all and cement the school's status as a leading educational institution in our community.

Q3: Will boys be admitted to all year groups right away? 

Mr. English: We will start by introducing boys in Year 7 come September 2024. A phased integration will take place over five years to fully incorporate boys into all year groups.

Q4: Is admission restricted to students of the Catholic faith?

Mr. English: Absolutely not! We are an inclusive community that celebrates diversity. While we uphold Catholic values, our doors are open to boys and girls of all faiths and even those with no religious affiliation.

Q5: Tell us about your GCSE and A - Level achievements.

Mr. English: I'm thrilled to report that we’ve achieved significant year-on-year improvements in our GCSE results. In fact Our Lady's ranks amongst the top-performing schools in Hackney. Around 70% of grades were grade 5 or higher, with nearly a quarter attaining grade 7 (Grade A) or above. Other highlights include 36% of our students earning at least one grade 7 or higher, 84% achieving grade 4 or above in English, and three-quarters securing grade 4 or above in Maths. A Level results were also strong, with every sixth-form student who applied for university successfully gaining admission to top institutions. 

Q6: What do you think is the number one challenge for secondary schools in 2023? 

Mr English: The most pressing challenge schools are currently facing is attendance, an issue that has emerged following the Covid  pandemic. In spite of this, I am pleased to share that our attendance rates are above the national average and we’ve received multiple FFT Attendance Awards. However, there is more work to be done. Our approach to this ongoing challenge is to work with parents to encourage full attendance whilst continuing to offer  early morning breakfast clubs, well-being support services, after-school activities, and educational trips and visits — all valuable experiences that students miss out on when they're not present.

Q7: As the leader of Our Lady's School, what advice do you have for students and their parents? 

Mr. English: To our students, I say: embrace learning with curiosity and determination. Don't hesitate to seek help or take risks - that's how growth happens. Know that your teachers and the entire school community are your cheerleaders.

To parents: Your involvement is a game-changer. Stay in sync with teachers and offer a home environment that complements our educational ethos. Let's team up to make this academic year both successful and enriching for our students.
 

Mr Andy English

Headteacher