Schools are inspected by Ofsted to provide information to parents, to promote improvement and to hold them to account for the public money they receive. School inspections are required by law. They provide an independent assessment of the quality and standards of education and achievement.

All Catholic schools are also subject to a diocesan inspection (known as a section 48 inspection) at least every five years. St Helen's is inspected by Southwark diocesan inspectors appointed by the bishop (Education Act 2005). St Helen's was last inspected in October 2015 and was judged to be a "good school with many outstanding features."

St Helen's was last inspected by Ofsted in July 2014 and was judged to be a "good" school in all areas.

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils:

• Pupils make good progress from the Nursery through to Year 6.
• Pupils’ achievement has improved strongly throughout the school over the last year. All groups of pupils have made good progress.
• The headteacher inspires all staff to aim high and work together for the good of the school.
• The quality of teaching is consistently good. It is stimulating and challenging.
• Pupils behave well and are polite and respectful. Those from different backgrounds and heritages get on well together.
• The school promotes pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development successfully. They develop strong values.
• The school keeps pupils safe and teaches them effectively how to keep themselves safe.
• The Nursery and Reception classes give children a good start. They learn well through carefully planned play activities.
• The school successfully promotes reading. Pupils throughout the school do better in reading now than in the past.
• The school is well led. Leaders, including middle leaders, and governors know their school well. Their plans cover the right priorities.
• Leaders have improved ways of checking pupils’ progress. As a result, no group falls behind. 

          Previous Ofsted Inspection Reports