Inspections

ISI Report February 2022

The College was inspected by the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) for a Regulatory Compliance Inspection Report. This inspection took place on the 16^th February 2022. The outcome of the visit and the subsequent report is listed below.

This was a COMPLIANCE ONLY inspection and as such reports only on the school's compliance with the standards. The standards represent minimum requirements and judgements are given either as met or not met.

The inspectors met with the Headteacher, senior leaders and other members of staff and held a discussion with the chair of governors. They talked with groups of pupils, scrutinised a range of documentation, records and policies.

The inspection team found Ellesmere to be fully-compliant and met all the standards across all areas of the compliance report. The visit focused on the school's compliance with the Education (Independent Schools Standards) Regulations 2014 (ISSRs), and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding 2015 and no further action is required as a result of this visit.

The 2022 inspection report can be seen via the download button at the bottom of the page.

Two shorter inspections took place between May and June 2021 and the report from this can be downloaded below.

Commentary from the 2018 Report.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

The Independent Schools Inspectorate reports to the Government through Ofsted on the quality of education in Independent Schools.

Before half term the College had an inspection visit from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, which happens for all schools every six years. The team looked at all aspects of the school. I am pleased to report that we met all regulatory requirements and were found to be good in the key areas of quality of education, academic achievement and other achievements, personal development of pupils, and the provision for their welfare.

I am pleased to report that across all areas we were judged to be performing at or above the standard expected.

Academically, the report states that at GCSE and BTEC we perform above the national average and at A-Level and IB at the expected standard, with more able students achieving highly: as with everything at Ellesmere our focus is on individuals achieving to the best of their abilities rather than overall statistical measures, and I am pleased that the inspection team recognised this.

The inspection team found that the attitude of our students to learning is positive, they demonstrate good knowledge and age appropriate skills across the curriculum, and their use of information and communication technology is well developed across all ages.

Our students are judged to be confident and assured, and demonstrate strong collaborative skills, contributing strongly to others, both within and outside of the school community. They were complimented for their excellent communication skills and having a good understanding of spiritual, moral and social values which creates responsible, tolerant citizens with a belief in their own abilities. The notable success in sport and in extracurricular activities was also singled out for particular mention, as was the student's attitude to recycling and care of the environment.

Overall, I am pleased to say that this inspection report confirmed that the quality of an Ellesmere education is matched only by the quality of your children, our students, who never fail to impress. Of course, we do not stand still at Ellesmere and are always seeking to improve what we do and innovate where we can. I am very grateful to you, as parents, for the partnership with my staff which creates the Ellesmere community.

Ofsted: Boarding and Child Safety

The Boarding and Child Safety Inspection, which was conducted at the same time as the ISI Inspection, involved 2 Inspectors spending time in the College, a questionnaire to boarding parents, a questionnaire to pupils, formal group and individual meetings with pupils, informal meetings with pupils and visits to all Boarding Houses and meals with the pupils.

Of the 6 categories the College was found to be good in 3 categories and outstanding in 3. The 3 outstanding categories were "helping children to be healthy", "helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do" and "helping children make a positive contribution".

It is by no means unheard of for Independent Schools to fail a Boarding and Child Safety Inspection so to achieve a Report with a mixture of "outstanding" and "good" is very pleasing.

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Ofsted Report: Boarding & Child Safety

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Inspections

ISI Report February 2022

Commentary from the 2018 Report.

Independent Schools Inspectorate

Ofsted: Boarding and Child Safety

ISI Inspection Report February 2022

ISI Regulatory Compliance Inspection Report May / June 2021

ISI Inspection Report - Ellesmere College 2018

Inspection Report 2016

Ofsted Report: Boarding & Child Safety