Boarding Inspection
An inspection of the Boarding House
was carried out in May 2009. The
inspection included consultations with our boarders, parents and staff. You will find a summary of their findings
below. If you would like a copy of the
full report, please contact the School Office.
Being
Healthy
“Pastoral
care is strong; the school looks holistically at the needs of each child and
monitors their development and welfare in partnership with parents.”
“Staff
encourage each child to eat a healthy and balanced main meal each day. Staff make sure children include a portion of
vegetables or salad in their main meal and eat a sufficient quantity on a
regular basis. The school makes an
outstanding effort to provide children with wholesome and nutritious meals;
where possible, food is locally sourced.
The quality of the produce delivered on a daily basis to the kitchen is
excellent and meals taken during the inspection were well presented, tasty and
adequate in quantity… The school provides a vegetarian option each day and an
excellent salad bar, which includes cold meat and fish… The catering staff are
aware of each child’s dietary restrictions and meals provided take account of
their health, religious or family considerations; the school is a ‘nut free’
zone… One boarder said, ‘the food is amazing’.”
Enjoying
and Achieving
“The
provision is outstanding. A broad and
balances curriculum is delivered by a committed and enthusiastic staff
team. The excellent communication
systems in place between the teaching and boarding staff ensure that boarders
receive outstanding support from staff.”
“Boarders
are confident and cheerful, benefiting from the inclusive and individualised
support provided to them… One boarder said, ‘I love the boarding house and I
love the feel, because I get on with the younger people, other people, boys and
teachers. We are one big happy family!’… Children enjoy taking part in
activities, for example, archery, bowling, circus skills, golf, swimming, going
to the beach, attending pantomimes and local facilities.”
Making
a Positive Contribution
“Relationships
between boarding staff and the boarders are excellent. It was evident during the inspection that
boarders were willing to listen to each other and participate in constructive
problem solving together to resolve minor operational issues. Older children supported younger children to
make their point and each child showed respect for others’ differing
perspectives and views.”
“The
school encourages boarders to keep in contact with their parents and families. Boarders can use the cordless phone to make
calls in private and contact their families by e-mail. An improved Skype connection has been set up
in the boarding house, enabling boarders with parents who are working overseas
to see them on the web-cam.”
Organisation
“Effective
leadership and management in the development of boarding at the school ensures
that boarders’ welfare is safeguarded and promoted… Staff work collaboratively
and cooperatively across the school to help individual boarders develop their
abilities, both academically and socially. Boarding practice is excellent; the
house-parents are highly regarded by parents, boarders and the school. One parents wrote, ‘excellent pastoral care,
excellent activities and excellent food’. Boarders were unanimous in praise of the
boarding provision, highlighting the kindness and approachability of the
matrons and house-parents and their enjoyment of the meals and activities
provided. One boarder wrote, ‘I am very
well cared for and we have fun with our house-parents’.”
“The
promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Boarding staff are sensitive to children’s
individual needs and they make sure that each boarder is looked after in the
best way possible to meet their unique needs. Differences in boarders’ individual abilities,
family cultures and opinions are respected; boarding practice and ethos promote
an inclusive approach within a communal living situation, where every
individual is shown respect and valued.”