ISI Report 2022 - Excellent
In 2022, St Mary's School received the highest grade of ‘excellent’ for our Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection.
All independent schools in England are registered with the Department for Education (DfE) and are regulated directly by the Secretary of State for Education. The ISI is appointed by the DfE to scrutinize independent schools in England and inspectors visited St Mary’s in May 2022 to conduct a thorough evaluation.
The school achieved an outstanding overall 98% parental satisfaction rate.
'Almost all pupils achieve places at the most selective universities, conservatoires and art colleges in a range of disciplines, including those with the highest entry criteria.'
'Pupils make strong progress across the range of subjects’ and are: ‘highly successful in their achievements beyond the classroom in a range of activities encompassing different interests.'
'Pupils display mature levels of understanding across the curriculum’, with the quality of teaching praised as ‘ambitious, stimulating and well matched to their needs.'
'Pupils form highly positive relationships with each other and with staff and they develop good leadership skills’ with students feeling ‘ready and well prepared for the next stage of their lives.'
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Diocesan inspection report 2022
Our Diocesan Inspection report undertaken by the East Anglia Diocesan Schools’ Service achieved the highest ‘Grade 1’ rating of Outstanding in all three areas assessed by inspectors in June 2022: Catholic Life, Religious Education and Collective Worship.
Inspectors praised St Mary’s as: ‘a school where everyone is respected and valued for who they are’, with the quality of leadership described as ‘extremely strong; it is both enterprising and aspirational.’
Inspectors reported ‘it is evident that the core Gospel values lie at the heart of life in school, clearly witnessed by the positive and caring relationships that exist between all groups.’
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Past reports
ISI Compliance Report 2018
A shorter ISI compliance report in 2018 concluded that:
'St Mary's School, meets all required standards across both schools and in the boarding provision.'
ISI Inspection Report 2014
In 2014, our ISI inspection report found that:
'Pupils of all ages are highly articulate, apply their understanding readily to new situations, show exceptional creative skills and contribuite to classroom discussion. Their attitudes to learning are exemplary. The highest quality of their learning is supported by excellent curricular arrangments, outstanding additional support for pupils who need it, and by excellent teaching.'
Denominational Inspection 2014
In 2014, the Diocesan inspecting body reported:
'The pupils’ personal, spiritual and moral development is outstanding and this is reflected in their good behaviour, excellent relationships and positive attitudes.'
ISI Junior School Final Report May 2010
In 2010, the ISI Inspection Report determined that:
'The standards pupils achieve are good in relation to their ages and abilities. Their achievement in English, mathematics and music
are particularly notable..'
ISI Senior School Final Report May 2010
In 2010, the ISI Inspection Report found that:
'An excellent curriculum provides highly effectively for the pupils’ needs.'
Diocesan School Final Report May 2010
In 2010, the Diocesan Report concluded that:
'The Religious Education curriculum actively promotes knowledge and respect for all faiths, mutual understanding and integrity, enabling students to explore and develop their own and others’ beliefs and values. The school is very involved in serving the common good and looking beyond themselves to the needs of others.'