inspection 2015 overview

Brighton College, PreP SChool & Pre-PreP SChool

Inspection 2015

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Brighton College, the PreP SChool and the Pre-PreP SChool had an integrated inspection in May 2015.

The inspectors considered eight areas of school life across three main categories:

1. The quality of academic and other achievements The quality of pupils’ achievements and learning The contribution of curricular and extra-curricular provision The contribution of teaching

2. The quality of pupils’ personal development The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils The contribution of arrangements for pastoral care The contribution of arrangements for welfare, health and safety

3. The effectiveness of governance, leadership and management The quality of governance The quality of leadership and management, including links with parents,

carers and guardians

The inspection also included one further category for the College: The quality of boarding.

How are schools graded?

Excellent The majority of this area is assessed as being of the highest qualityGood The majority of this area is assessed as being goodSound The majority of this area is assessed as being satisfactoryUnsatisfactory The majority of this area is weak

In addition, the inspectors can designate a school’s academic achievements to be ‘Exceptional’, although this is rare.

here is how we did in the key areas...

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College InspeCtIon

“ Pupils are exceptionally well-educated.”

The qualiTy of academic and oTher achievemenTs

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“ The philosophy of kindness is enthusiastically embraced by all.”

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exCePtional“ Results at GCSE and A-level over recent years have been exceptional.”

“ Pupils are well-educated, tolerant and intellectually curious, and demonstrate a love of learning for its own sake.”

“ The school is highly successful in stimulating independent and enquiring minds.”

“ Boys and girls alike show unusually high levels of knowledge, understanding and academic skills.”

“ Pupils achieve high levels of success in academic, sporting, creative and performing areas.”

“ A consistently strong track record in gaining places at highly competitive universities.”

“ Pupils of all ages show outstanding attitudes to their work and study.”

The quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning is:

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exCellent“A broad, challenging and innovative curriculum.”

“ A broad and balanced education that instils a love of learning in all pupils.”

“ Academic provision goes far beyond examination requirements.”

“ The curriculum is enriched by an extensive range of high quality extra-curricular activities.”

“ Sport is very well provided for and the school maintains very strong musical and dramatic traditions.”

“ Pupils enjoy significant success in activities and events beyond the classroom.”

The contribution of curricular and extra-curricular provision is:


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exCellent“ Teachers are highly committed and display excellent subject knowledge, which they impart with great enthusiasm.”

“ Teaching effectively promotes the development of creative, reasoning and thinking skills of a high order.”

“ Teachers know their pupils very well and ensure that teaching techniques cater fully for the different needs and learning styles of pupils of all ages and abilities.”

“ The particularly warm relationships between teachers and pupils contribute significantly to the excellent standard of behaviour in class.”

“ Teaching promotes tolerance and respect, and presents a balanced view of national issues and contemporary opinions.”

The contribution of teaching is:

The qualiTy of pupils’ personal developmenT

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“ The philosophy of kindness is enthusiastically embraced by all pupils and is evident in all their relationships.”

“ Pupils show excellent spiritual awareness. Pupils appreciate non-material aspects of life.”

“ The pupils’ moral development is excellent. They co-operate with each other and respect one another’s opinions. Pupils know right from wrong, show a keen sense of fair play and behave well.”

“ Pupils exhibit high levels of social development through their excellent awareness of the world beyond the school. Experiences such as the Year 9 social entrepreneurial programme greatly enhance pupils’ sense of social justice.”

“ The cultural development of pupils is excellent. ‘Respect Week’ encourages and celebrates their understanding of difference.”

“ They are mature, articulate and confident, and their success is combined with self-deprecating humour and courtesy.”

exCellent

The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils is:


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“ The high levels of care and support for pupils make a strong contribution to their happiness, well-being and personal development.”

“ Relationships between staff and pupils and amongst the pupils themselves are outstanding. This creates an extremely warm, friendly and courteous atmosphere characterised by mutual respect.”

“ Staff know pupils extremely well and pupils are highly positive about their relationships with adults.”

“ The school actively encourages and positively promotes healthy living.”

“ The positive culture that permeates the community fosters excellent standards of conduct.”

exCellentThe contribution of arrangements for pastoral care is:

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“ The school’s provision…contributes significantly to the pupils’ security and sense of well-being.”

“ Excellent arrangements to safeguard and promote the pupils’ welfare ensure their health, safety and well-being.”

“ Health and medical care of pupils is well provided for.”

“ The welfare and safeguarding arrangements for boarders are excellent.”

exCellent

The contribution of arrangements for welfare, health and safety is:


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“ Boarding provides an excellent experience…and the strong community spirit in the houses provides a bedrock of support and encouragement for them to succeed in all they do.”

“ Boarders are mature, confident, happy and very appreciative of the care they receive.”

“ They are given outstanding support by staff.”

“ The strong boarding ethos focuses on the value of each individual; this ensures excellent relationships within the houses.”

“ Boarders of all ages respond well to the encouragement to show initiative, to start clubs and activities, to take responsibility, to help in the community and to perform random acts of kindness.”

“ Boarders are outgoing, and are friendly and respectful to others regardless of background, culture, ability or gender.”

“ Boarding accommodation is attractive, spacious and comfortable.”

exCellentThe quality of boarding is:


The effecTiveness of governance, leadership and managemenT

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“ Governors provide very effective oversight and challenge for the school and its leaders.”

“ Governance makes a strong contribution to the success of the school and enables its aims and priorities to be clearly identified and met.”

“ The governing body shares a vision for the future of the school which successfully pursues excellence in all aspects of its provision.”

“ The governing body has been innovative in promoting its aims and values beyond the confines of the school by opening schools elsewhere.”

exCellentThe quality of governance is:


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“ Staff and parents frequently describe the school’s leadership as inspirational.”

“ A dynamic senior management team…has a strong sense of purpose and is ambitious for its pupils.”

“ The school maintains an excellent partnership and relationships with parents.”

“ Parents have excellent opportunities to be actively involved with the progress of their children…parents are very well informed.”

“ The leadership of the school ensures that it meets its aims to produce well-educated men and women and positively promotes a love of learning for its own sake.”

“ A strong pastoral focus ensures that pupils are known as individuals.”

“ The school is highly successful in appointing well-qualified and enthusiastic staff who share its values and ethos.”

“ …a strong culture of professional reflection and self-evaluation.”

exCellent

The quality of leadership and management, including links with parents, carers and guardians, is:

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prep sChool InspeCtIon

“ Pupils enjoy life at school and this radiates from all that they do.”

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“ A happy, stimulating, safe and secure school environment where children...reach their full potential.”


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“ The overall quality of the pupils’ achievements is excellent.”

“ They fully embrace the school’s unofficial motto ‘Be the best you’.”

“ Pupils display highly effective knowledge, proficient skills and excellent understanding.”

“ In and out of lessons, pupils seize with alacrity the many opportunities for independent thought. They know their ideas are valued and encouraged.”

“ The pupils’ creativity is excellent, notably in music, art and drama.”

“ Pupils are successful in a wide range of activities. Games and physical education skills are well developed in a variety of sports, and all pupils have the opportunity to represent the school.”

“ A broad and challenging curriculum.”

exCellentThe quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning is:

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“ The curriculum provision is rich in content, balanced and exciting.”

“ The curriculum promotes challenge and excellence and is sympathetically planned to meet the needs of the whole range of pupils.”

“ Care is taken at the transitional stages between pre-prep, prep and the senior school to achieve a seamless progression.”

“ Specialist subject teaching is given in art, music, foreign languages and sport throughout the school, and, from Year 7, in all subjects. Sporting provision is good throughout the curriculum with a wide range of sports offered to the pupils.”

“ The curriculum is enriched by an extensive extra-curricular programme which plays an invaluable role in developing the pupils’ resilience and open-mindedness.”

“ The school has close links with the community.”

exCellent



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“ Excellent teaching and…exemplary attitudes to learning.”

“ Throughout the school, teaching enables pupils to…make excellent progress.”

“ The teachers know their pupils well.”

“ There is an excellent rapport between staff and pupils.”

“ Energetic, enthusiastic and brisk teaching ensures that pupils of all ages thoroughly enjoy their learning and are provided with stimulus and challenge.”

“ A significant feature of teaching is the high level of personal attention given, which helps pupils to fulfil their potential and gain in confidence.”

“ Teaching meets the needs of pupils of different abilities extremely well.”

exCellent

The contribution of teaching is:



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“ Pupils are reflective, focused, compassionate and open-minded. They are well-mannered, with an infectious enthusiasm for life that is reflected in all that they do. They work together in harmony, developing a sense of responsibility for others and the wider world. They look after and respect each other.”

“ Within the school’s supportive environment, pupils grow in self-belief and self-esteem, reflecting the school’s code of conduct.”

“ The pupils’ moral development is outstanding. Their exemplary behaviour and kindness is embedded.”

“ The quality of the pupils’ social development is excellent; pupils interact confidently with each other and with adults. Pupils understand that they are fortunate and are involved in a wide range of fundraising activities.”

“ The cultural development of the pupils is excellent. Pupils and staff celebrate the diversity of the school community.”

exCellent


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“ The personal development of pupils is fostered by excellent support and guidance.”

“ Relationships between staff and pupils and amongst pupils themselves are excellent.”

“Staff know the pupils extremely well.”

“ Healthy eating is encouraged through the provision of a well-balanced, nutritious and attractive range of dishes at lunchtime.”

“ Pupils make full use of the abundant opportunities to take regular exercise through the wide range of curricular and extra-curricular sporting activities.”

“ An active council provides a useful forum for pupils’ views to be discussed. Pupils speak proudly of their involvement and they appreciate the positive results achieved.”

exCellentThe contribution of arrangements for pastoral care is:


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“ Excellent attention is paid to safeguarding pupils and promoting their health and well-being.”

“ The school has a strongly-developed and effective system to provide for the welfare, health and safety of the pupils and this has a significant effect on ensuring pupils’ welfare and happiness.”

“ The school has excellent arrangements for any pupils who are ill or injured with qualified medical staff always available.”

“ An overwhelming number of parents…said that their children feel safe at school.”

exCellent




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“ Governors are strongly committed to the school, its pupils and staff and to its continuing development.”

“ Governors are well informed and take a full part in the overall strategic planning, educational development and management of the school.”

“ Governors have clear insight into the working of the school. They provide the school leaders with much appreciated help and advice.”

exCellentThe quality of governance is:

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“ All aspects of leadership and management are excellent.”

“ The drive and energy of senior managers…inspire both staff and pupils to work hard and achieve excellent results inside and outside the classroom.”

“ Links with parents are excellent. Parents…value the school’s open door policy.”

“ Parents have many opportunities to be involved in the life of the school. Parents are kept very well informed about their child’s work and progress.”

“ High quality, written reports contain detailed information on the pupils’ knowledge and progress with a summary of the work covered and details of how the pupil could improve further.”

“ The school takes care to select and retain high quality staff.”

“ Staff are united in a common purpose, with clear educational direction provided by the leadership team.”

exCellent



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pre-prep sChool InspeCtIon

“ A welcoming and friendly atmosphere.”

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“Secure, happy and active learners.”


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“ The school is very successful in achieving its aims to enthuse pupils with a love of learning, and to strive for the highest standards whilst emphasising support and encouragement.”

“ The overall quality and standards of provision in the EYFS are excellent. Children of all abilities…make rapid progress. They become secure, happy and active learners due to the exciting learning opportunities and outstanding level of care they receive.”

“ Pupils are able to develop their skills and interests in the wide range of extra-curricular opportunities offered. The school’s ethos emphasises the importance of developing teamwork as well as physical skills in fixtures against other schools.”

“ The pupils’ confidence is significantly developed as they enjoy regular opportunities to perform in musicals, class assemblies and instrumental concerts.”

“ The pupils’ highly positive attitudes to learning make a strong contribution to their achievements.”

exCellentThe quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning is:

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“ Pupils enjoy their learning within an excellent, broad and interesting curriculum.”

“ The EYFS setting makes excellent provision in meeting the needs of the range of children who attend. Consistently high standards are achieved through the interesting and challenging educational programmes provided.”

“ Throughout the school the curriculum is broad and…well balanced over a wide range of subjects.”

“ Pupils have excellent facilities for games.”

“ An excellent range of extra-curricular activities is available to pupils.”

“ The pupils’ awareness of the wider world is enhanced by community events, many of which enable them to raise money for charity.”

exCellent



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“The pupils’ success is very well supported by excellent teaching.”

“ The quality of teaching strongly promotes the pupils’ progress and is highly effective.”

“ In the EYFS all children are extremely well supported in their learning and development. This ensures rapid progress and excellent preparation for the next stage of their learning.”

“ There is an excellent balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities to match individual needs and stages of development.”

“ Throughout the school, teaching is particularly well planned and based on a thorough knowledge of individual pupils.”

“ Teachers’ competent knowledge and enthusiasm make lessons interesting and motivate the pupils.”

“ Relationships within lessons are excellent.”

“ Pupils say that they appreciate the praise and encouragement they receive…they comment that their lessons are fun.”

exCellentThe contribution of teaching is:



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“ The school successfully fulfils its aim to reinforce the motto ‘Be good, be kind, be honest’ through all aspects of school life.”

“ In the EYFS, the children’s personal development is outstanding. Their unique qualities are appreciated and celebrated. There is an atmosphere of mutual respect…and great importance is placed on children’s happiness.”

“ Pupils develop a strong spiritual awareness. They are confident and demonstrate a positive self-image. Interacting positively with their peers, they are thoughtful and caring.”

“ Pupils display an excellent moral sense. Pupils have a good understanding and appreciation of other faiths and cultures, and are strongly aware of values such as tolerance and inclusiveness.”

“ The pupils’ social qualities are particularly strong. They are articulate and full of enthusiasm for their experiences at school. They treat each other with respect. They are developing a strong understanding of social responsibility.”

“ Pupils feel proud when their efforts to develop qualities such as perseverance, thoughtfulness and teamwork are recognised.”

exCellent


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The contribution of arrangements for pastoral care is:

exCellent“ Pastoral care is seen as a high priority and, within the warm and supportive atmosphere, is a strong contributor to the pupils’ excellent personal development.”

“ Well-targeted and sensitive support is provided both academically and pastorally.”

“ Children are given many opportunities to be physically active and they know why exercise is important. Healthy eating is strongly promoted.”

“ Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and encouraging.”

“ Pupils say that they feel happy and like their teachers, who care for them well.”

“ Pupils are very satisfied that the school seeks their views and responds to them.”

“ Children are well looked after and feel safe at school.”


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exCellent“ Throughout the school safeguarding arrangements are robust and well monitored.”

“ The school has a keen awareness of a need for internet safety.”

“ Pupils play and work in a safe environment.”

“ Pupils are well supervised during break times.”



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“ The school is well administered by a governing board that has an excellent range of experience and expertise.”

“ The nursery and pre-prep school receives appropriate and helpful support and representation.”

“ Governance of the EYFS is effective and supportive.”

The quality of governance is:

exCellent

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“ In the EYFS, leadership and management are excellent. The children’s well-being and safeguarding are given high priority, creating a warm, safe, welcoming and stimulating learning environment.”

“ A strong sense of teamwork and common purpose prevails in the school. Consequently, the pupils’ achievements are high and their personal development is strong.”

“ Links with parents, carers and guardians are excellent.”

“ In the EYFS, relationships with parents are extremely strong and staff work closely with them to ensure that children settle happily into school.”

“ Throughout the school highly constructive relationships with parents are fostered through effective communication systems.”

“ Parents have many opportunities to be involved with the work and progress of their children. The particularly helpful daily diaries…ensure beneficial communication between home and school.”


exCellent


www.brightoncollege.org.uk

england’s Independent school of the Year 2011-12The Sunday TimeS

england’s headmaster of the Year 2012-13TaTler

UK Independent school of the Year 2013-14independenT SchoolS awardS

senior leadership team of the Year 2014-15independenT SchoolS awardS

Britain’s most forward thinking school 2014The week

inspection 2015 overview

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