Wellington School is celebrating after receiving an excellent inspection report across the board, from Nursery through to the Sixth Form.
Following an inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) as part of the programme of regular inspections required by the Department for Education, the School received the highest possible commendation for Educational Quality and was found to be fully compliant with statutory regulations.
The School received just 24 hours’ notice before the arrival of a team of inspectors between 21st-23rd March for the Focused Compliance and Educational Quality Inspection, with the inspecting team being made up of current and former headteachers and senior leaders of independent Prep and Senior Schools.
The inspectors reviewed school policies before arriving onsite and, while at Wellington, observed lessons, spoke with staff, students and governors, watched co-curricular activities, reviewed pupil’s work, attended tutor meetings and chapel services and visited boarding houses. Inspectors also considered the responses of parents, staff and pupils to online questionnaires.
In the Focused Compliance Inspection component of the inspection, the School was found to have met all the required standards, including the National Minimum Standards for boarding schools. The Educational Quality Inspection found that the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements, and the quality of our pupils’ personal development, is excellent. Educational quality inspections focus on the achievements of pupils and their personal development and overall findings can be ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sound’ or ‘unsatisfactory’.
Chair of Governors, Anna Govey commented, “the Report captures so many of the characteristics which make Wellington such a wonderful school and I am delighted with the excellent outcome of our inspection. I am so pleased to read the many positive observations made by the inspecting team about our pupils’ achievements, attitude to learning, confidence, kindness, respect and sense of right and wrong.”
The report describes Wellington pupils as being “confident communicators” who display “positive attitudes towards their learning”. Pupils were seen to be “engaging fully with their lessons”. They were observed to have “a comprehensive level of knowledge across the subject areas” , to “use this understanding effectively” and were deemed to “achieve a high standard of results in public examinations, significantly exceeding the expectations for standardised assessments.”
In addition, pupils were found to be “confident in themselves, having an excellent sense of right and wrong,” and were noted to exhibit a positive level of behaviour”. They were praised for having “a strong sense of community and showing a high level of kindness and respect towards each-other”. It was also noted that “pupils have a very inclusive approach to their diverse community”, attributes particularly important within our boarding environment.
Pupils were also praised for being “excellent team players in all manner of activities, participating enthusiastically in team sports, showing excellent team skills, performing in musical and dramatic productions, achieving high standards and supporting each-other and ensuring they all benefit”.
Anna Govey went on to say “The Board of Governors would like to congratulate and thank our team of dedicated staff for their commitment to supporting our pupils. Teaching and support staff in both the Prep and Senior Schools have faced significant challenges in recent years, and this Report is testament to their dedication and professionalism. I would also like to thank my team of Governors for all they do for the School, as well all those alumni who so loyally support Wellington,” said Anna Govey, before expressing her thanks to the parents of the School for their loyal support.
Wellington’s Senior School was last year nominated as ‘Independent Senior School of the Year’, with a Prep School teacher being nominated as ‘Subject Lead of the Year’. Last year, Wellington won a national award for ‘Best Community Service’ and Eugene du Toit, the School’s Headmaster, has this year been nominated for ‘Headteacher of the Year’.
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), is an independent, government-approved body which provides objective inspections to safeguard the quality and effectiveness of the education, care and welfare of children in schools. It is the equivalent to Ofsted in the maintained sector.,
Wellington School’s full ISI Report is available to read here Wellington School and all other independent school inspection reports are available to view on the ISI website http://www.isi.net/reports/.