St Peter’s prides itself on a warm family atmosphere: ‘The quality of pastoral care is outstanding’. Boarding was also highlighted as being ‘outstanding’ and the school also ‘strongly fulfils the aim of the boarding house to get as close as possible to the model of really good home life’.

The report went on to say ‘A notable feature is the caring and sensitive manner in which staff approach the teaching’ and so overall ‘The pupils personal development is outstanding’. ‘Pupils have excellent moral attitudes and clearly know the difference between right and wrong’.

In the classroom the message was also strong and positive: ‘ Throughout the school the good quality of the teaching and the excellent relationships between staff and pupils are essential factors in promoting the pupils’ effective learning and good standards.’ St Peter’s is not selective and so caters for pupils of wide ranging abilities, from those taking scholarships in a number of curriculum areas such as academics, sport, art and music to those who require more support in these curriculum areas. Overall, however, ‘Pupils are encouraged to ‘walk tall’ in their individual support lessons’, ‘Pupils are well organised, independent learners who achieve well and make good progress.’

‘As a result of the effective support and teaching, pupils achieve good standards overall.’

Pupils were reported as saying,“ I come to school because I really like learning” and “You always have to be thinking”.

Parents have always been key members of the school community, ‘The school has a strong partnership with parents’ and looking to the future, ‘Leadership and management are highly successful and give effective and clear educational direction, reflected in the good standards achieved, the pupils’ outstanding personal development and the fulfilment of the school’s ethos and aims’.

Rob Williams, Headmaster says

‘Following an excellent report in 2002 we’re delighted that the Inspectorate could clearly see that we have not stood still and continued to develop our strengths across the breadth of an expansive and challenging curriculum. To receive so many ‘outstanding’ judgements is a credit to all those involved, the pupils, the staff and the parents’.