Prep School Celebrates Excellent Educational Quality Inspection

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Emma

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We are pleased to announce that Casterton, Sedbergh Prep School has been ranked ‘Excellent’ in its recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), for the quality of the pupils’ academic education and their personal development. 

Will Newman, Headmaster said: “To achieve an excellent grading from ISI is a fantastic recognition of the quality of education at the School and the achievement of our pupils both in and outside the classroom. This would be impossible to attain without dedicated staff, all striving to achieve the School’s vision, supportive families who believe in our ethos and values and well-resourced facilities.” 

“Sedbergh Prep School is fortunate to have all of these, alongside a wonderful pupil body who, from Reception through to Year 8, were noted by the inspectors for their ‘extremely positive attitudes to learning’, ‘excellent communication skills‘ and ‘outstanding motivation for their age’. I want to say thank you to the whole School community, who have all contributed to this outstanding report.” 

The inspection report praised ‘excellent pupil progress across all abilities’, underpinned by ‘very strong study skills’, excellent attitudes to learning and ‘high levels of knowledge, skill and understanding across the curriculum’. The quality of the children’s academic achievement was found to be supported by ‘well-resourced departments, time in the curriculum and opportunities to practise‘, as well as smaller class sizes and the positive relationships between staff and pupils, which were noted as ‘exceptional‘. 

The inspectors also commented on the pupils’ ‘extremely competent’ use of ICT and highlighted them as ‘confident mathematicians’, writers and readers who display ‘excellent communication skills’. It also noted that they make the most of ‘the very rich range of sport, music, drama and outdoor opportunities’, with success in these areas being exceptionally strong and celebrated by all. 

“As pleasing as these comments are regarding the academic side of the School, we are also overjoyed with the excellent grading relating to the quality of the pupils’ personal development,” explains Mr Newman. “It was fantastic that the report recognised the ‘warm, friendly and inclusive ethos of the community’, our pupils’ strong social awareness and our supportive staff, who help to develop ‘compassionate and confident individuals’ ready for the next stage of their lives. The inspectors, who attended the School for three days, really did get to know and understand us as a School.” 

During the inspection, lessons and extra-curricular activities were observed, discussions were held with pupils, staff and the chair of governors, boarding houses were visited, and parents, staff and pupil pre-inspection questionnaires were analysed. 

The full ISI inspection report from March 2022 can be downloaded and read here.

If you would like to visit the School and take a tour, please complete the form below and a member of the Admissions Team will be in touch.