Transforming outcomes across all 10 schools at St Joseph Catholic MAT

Over the past two years, St Joseph Catholic MAT has transformed its schools. Committed to onboarding and supporting schools facing significant challenges, the trust has worked in close partnership with Steplab to deliver high-impact instructional coaching and a unified PD strategy across the trust.

The results have been striking! Significant improvements have resulted in St Joseph's schools achieving better Ofsted outcomes than previously. Holy Family, Holy Spirit, St Nicholas, The Trinity, Trinity Tots and St Augustine were judged good in all areas and St Ambrose was celebrated for its outstanding Personal Development alongside being good in all other areas.

This turnaround was, in part, the result of a consistent, trust-wide approach to teacher professional development, using Steplab to deliver weekly coaching, support curriculum implementation, and build a culture of continual improvement.

Ofsted inspectors consistently praised the trust’s focus on professional development and its impact on staff confidence, curriculum delivery, and wellbeing. Across multiple Ofsted reports, Steplab’s contribution to coaching and training is evident in how leaders and staff talk about their work.

“Staff benefit from high-quality support and resources to help them to deliver new subject curriculums successfully… Despite brisk change, staff morale is high.”
— Holy Spirit Catholic Academy, previously rated Inadequate

“Staff, including teachers who are at the early stage of their careers, embrace the development opportunities that the school and the trust provide to them. This helps them to refine their practice while ensuring that their workload is manageable.”
— Holy Family Catholic Primary Academy

These are more than just words – they reflect a deep and meaningful shift in the professional culture of schools.

Before the schools joined St Joseph Catholic MAT:

• 1.
  30% were graded Inadequate
• 2.
  70% were either Inadequate or Requires Improvement

Today, it's a very different - much improved - picture:

Schools such as The Trinity, Blessed Carlo Acutis, and Holy Spirit moved from Inadequate to Good in all areas – evidence of the impact of St Joseph's investment in a high-quality PD programme.

One Ofsted report explicitly celebrated the trust’s implementation of coaching:

“Staff appreciate the coaching that the school and trust offer as part of their professional development.”
— St Ambrose Catholic Academy

The impact of this trust-wide investment in teacher professional development has extended beyond Ofsted outcomes.

Between 2023 and 2024, St Joseph Catholic MAT schools achieved significant improvements in Key Stage 2 results:

At St Ambrose Catholic Academy, the trust’s most improved primary school and the fourth most improved Catholic primary school nationally, 70% of pupils now achieve the combined expected standard at Key Stage 2 – demonstrating the impact of a whole-school professional development programme and strong peer collaboration.

The trust has faced an intense period of inspection, with over 15 evaluations – both Ofsted and Catholic Schools Inspectorate – within a single year.

Leaders at the trust believe they are just getting started. Their focus now turns to deepening coaching practice further, embedding curriculum routines, and maximising insights from Steplab to sustain long-term impact.

St Joseph Catholic MAT embedded Steplab across all schools to provide:

• 1.
  Weekly instructional coaching cycles
• 2.
  Targeted, bite-size training tied to classroom practice
• 3.
  Data and insights for school improvement planning
• 4.
  Support for early career teacher (ECT) development
• 5.
  Structured implementation of curriculum and pedagogical routines

With Steplab’s tools, leaders have fostered a culture where staff feel supported, workload is managed effectively, and professional learning is continuous.

The Trinity Catholic Academy has recently joined a global network of Steplab Hub Schools, recognised for using Steplab in highly intentional and impactful ways to deliver whole-school professional development.

As a Hub School, Trinity has embedded an exceptional professional development programme, underpinned by strong systems, practices and culture – from trust and collaboration to rehearsal and feedback – creating a cohesive approach that strengthens teaching and learning across every classroom.

This recognition reflects St Joseph Catholic MAT’s growing reputation for excellence in professional learning and its deep commitment to raising standards across the trust.

Looking ahead, the trust is committed to supercharging its coaching offer. With strong foundations, staff buy-in, and proven impact, St Joseph Catholic MAT is confident it can continue to drive outcomes and culture forward – with Steplab at the heart of its journey.

Inspired by the impact at St Joseph Catholic MAT? Discover how Steplab can help your school or trust achieve real, sustainable improvement through professional learning and development that works. Book a demo today.