ISI Inspection Report 2007

Independent Schools Inspectorate Report 2007

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is a body approved by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for the purpose of inspecting independent schools in the Independent Schools Council under Section 162 of the Education Act 2002. The purposes of inspection are to ensure that standards are maintained and that schools comply with the relevant legal requirements. Recommendations are included to help schools improve.

The latest ISI inspection took place in April and May 2007. You may download the Inspection Report in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

Some highlights from the 2007 report:

"The school is highly successful in fulfilling its declared aim of according priority to academic endeavour beyond the achievement of qualifications in public examinations. In addition, it stimulates independent enquiry and intellectual curiosity both inside and outside the classroom. Pupils have exceptional opportunities in sport and cultural activities, and the school fosters their individuality whilst inculcating a sense of duty to friends and society."

"The broad and balanced curriculum, enriched by the extensive extra-curricular programme, contributes significantly to the pupils’ linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, aesthetic and creative development. "

"Pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of their education. Almost all proceed after leaving school to university, some taking a gap year first. The provision of careers guidance and support is of high quality, and takes place throughout the school, with preparation for GCSE and A-level subject choice, and also advice about universities, gap years and career possibilities."

"The school is particularly successful in challenging talented and gifted pupils."

"The education support department liaises frequently with teaching staff, housemasters and tutors to ensure that the learning needs of individual pupils are appropriately met."

"The spiritual, moral, cultural and social awareness of pupils is outstanding and is a particular strength of the school."

"Pupils enjoy and appreciate the many cultural events that take place both inside and outside school."

"The teaching is highly successful in motivating pupils and helping them to make intellectual, physical and creative effort."

"Teaching encourages pupils to behave responsibly, and pupils respond well to the high expectations of their teachers."

"The quality of pastoral care is outstanding, and ensures that pupils feel secure, valued and encouraged to make the most of the many opportunities presented to them."

"Staff and pupils work together purposefully and with mutual respect; pupils are polite, confident and relaxed, much as they would be in their own homes."

"The school has formed very good links with its parents and is developing increasingly productive partnerships with the wider community."

"The school has made considerable progress since the last inspection by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate in 2001, and the last boarding welfare inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in 2004."