Following Repton's April inspection, the Independent Schools Inspectorate has now published its resulting report. Repton has been recognised as achieving “high standards in all areas of activity and in personal development” and it is stated that our pupils “enjoy a rich educational experience”.
The ISI has also praised Repton for helping pupils to fulfil their potential in all spheres of activity and says “the enjoyment of study was evident in a large number of lessons, particularly where different styles of teaching were used and learning was fun.”
In looking at academic achievement, inspectors found that A-level results are well above the average for all maintained schools and GCSE results are far above the average for all maintained schools and in line with the averages for maintained selective schools. The proportion of A* and A grades is more than four times the national average.
Under the ISI system, schools are graded in each of the nine separate categories, including Educational Experience, Quality of Teaching, Quality of Links with Parents and the Community, and Quality of Boarding.
For each category it is possible to be given an overall rating of ‘unsatisfactory’, ‘satisfactory’, ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, and Repton has achieved an ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ rating in every category with an overall ‘outstanding’ in the areas of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development, Quality of Pastoral Care, Quality of Boarding, Quality of Governance and Quality of Leadership and Management.
ISI reports usually point out areas of major weakness, but in its conclusion Repton’s report says: “The quality of provision is such that there are no major weaknesses.” The inspectors have suggested that to make further progress Repton should continue to develop its management structure and enhance its use of assessment data.
Commenting on the report, Headmaster Mr Holroyd said: “We are delighted that the ISI has found Repton School to be successful in fulfilling its aim to promote achievement and develop individual potential across a wide range of subjects and activities.
“Pupils, parents and staff should be very proud to hear the inspectors say that pupils’ personal development is excellent in all respects and they leave school as mature, confident young adults with well-developed self-belief and high moral standards. Everyone in school deserves the very warmest congratulations.
“We will listen carefully to the Inspectors’ advice and use it to help us continue to develop Repton as one of the country’s top independent schools.”
The inspection was carried out from April 27th to 30th. The inspectors examined samples of pupils’ work, observed lessons and conducted formal interviews with pupils. They held discussions with teaching and non-teaching staff and with governors, observed a sample of the extra-curricular activities, attended registration sessions and assemblies and visited boarding houses and the medical centre. The responses of parents and pupils to pre-inspection questionnaires were analysed and a range of school documentation was examined.
The ISI inspects schools according to a standard framework for inspection which is laid down for the purposes of ensuring that standards are maintained and that the school complies with relevant legal requirements. This framework has been agreed with the DfES and OFSTED which have recognised the ISI as the body responsible for regular inspection of schools in England that are affiliated to the Independent Schools Council.