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Inspection

The following extracts are taken from the Report of the Independent Schools Inspectorate Inspection which took place in College in October 2008. A copy of the complete inspection report can be viewed by visiting the ISI website. A copy of the previous Inspection Report dated October 2002 can be viewed by visiting the ISI website.

Date of Inspection 13 - 16 October 2008


The Educational Experience Provided

The educational experience provided by the college is outstanding. It offers a broad and intellectually challenging curriculum that, together with the very strong extra-curricular programme, enables the college to meet its principal aim of providing an excellent all-round education for girls. The Saturday morning programme makes an outstanding contribution to the girls’ education. An excellent range of extra-curricular activities provides girls with many opportunities to develop their interests and talents. The provision is extensive and diverse: in discussion with inspectors, girls found it difficult to identify anything that was not already available.

Pupils’ Learning and Achievements

Girls’ learning and achievements are outstanding. They are highly motivated, keen to learn and gain as much as possible from all the college has to offer. The standards achieved within the curriculum and across an eclectic range of activities are an improvement on the already lofty standards identified at the last inspection. Girls are remarkably supportive of each other, and work in pairs and in different groupings flexibly and co-operatively.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development of Pupils

The girls’ outstanding personal development is a major strength of the college, fostering a tolerance and deep respect that is at its heart. The college successfully meets its aims of developing values that enable the girls to face a changing world where human relationships, tolerance and a sense of responsibility influence their perspective on life. The college has maintained the high standards shown at the last inspection.

The Quality of Teaching (Including Assessment)

The quality of teaching is excellent, and it encourages and enables girls of all abilities to make very good progress in all areas of their curricular and extra-curricular life. The relaxed atmosphere of fruitful and lively discussion, which nearly all teachers encourage, leads to girls enjoying their learning and showing high standards of behaviour. Teachers know their pupils well, and this builds up a sense of mutual trust.

The Quality of Pastoral Care, and the Welfare, Health and Safety of Pupils

The quality of pastoral care and the arrangements to safeguard girls’ welfare and their health and safety are outstanding, and make a major contribution to their well-being and success. The quality of relationships between staff and girls, and amongst the girls themselves, is exceptional and is one of the great strengths of the college.

The Quality of Boarding Education

Relationships in the boarding houses are extremely positive and supportive. The trust and respect displayed by the staff to the girls are valued highly and reciprocated, and the relationships between staff and girls are frequently characterised by genuine affection.

Leadership and Management

Central to the college’s success is a whole-college commitment to high standards and meeting the academic and pastoral needs of the girls. This is further enhanced by a culture and ethos where every girl matters and where their progress and well-being are paramount. A strong culture of positive self-criticism is very much evident throughout the college. Nothing is taken for granted, and the college seeks to reassure itself that everything possible is being done to improve the education enjoyed by girls.

A copy of the complete Inspection Report can be viewed by visiting the ISI website.

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