Like all UK independent schools, Shiplake College is visited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) to ensure that we are meeting statutory requirements. Educational Quality inspections report on the two main outcomes for pupils: achievement and personal development. Regulatory Compliance inspections report on a school’s compliance, including the Independent Schools Standard Regulations and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools.
Shiplake College was visited in May 2022 and it is with great pleasure that we share with you the report from this recent ISI inspection. The key findings show that we meet all the standards in the Regulatory Compliance and that in the Educational Quality outcomes were as follows:
The quality of the pupils' academic and other achievements is rated as excellent
- Pupils make excellent progress, often exceeding expectations in relation to their starting points
- Pupils achieve highly in a range of areas including within the arts, academic subjects and sports, particularly rowing
- Pupils' information and communication technology (ICT) skills are extremely accomplished
- Pupils have excellent communication skills
The quality of the pupils' personal development is rated as excellent
- Pupils display a very high degree of self-confidence and resilience
- Pupils are highly aware of right and wrong and understand the impact of their own actions on others
- Pupils' collaboration skills are excellent, and they work towards shared goals very naturally
- The extent to which pupils know and understand how to stay safe and physically and mentally healthy is excellent
This is the highest possible rating that an independent school can achieve within the ISI framework. The inspection also served as a 'material change visit' to assess our proposal to increase our capacity (over the next five to ten years), as we begin to welcome girls into Year 7 from 2023. The visit confirmed that this has been approved.
The Headmaster, Mr Tyrone Howe, said: "The inspection was an incredibly rigorous process but the Reporting Inspector and the team appeared to enjoy their time in the College, immersing themselves fully in Shiplake life, attending lessons and activities and speaking to many groups of pupils. The inspectors commented on how pupils make excellent progress, achieve highly in a range of areas, have extremely accomplished ICT and communication skills, display a very high degree of self-confidence and resilience and demonstrate high levels of social awareness. My thanks to all Shiplake staff for the huge amount of preparation and their contribution to the successful inspection outcomes.
"I urge you to read the report in full as it sums up what makes Shiplake so special. It is a terrific endorsement for the College."
Schools are requested not to alter the appearance or content of the report, including redesign, but may publish excerpts, so please enjoy just some of the standout quotes in the gallery below.
Sq.jpg/Prefects2024_25(1)Sq__500x500.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "Shiplake's Young Leaders")
.JPG/U12FootballSq(1)__500x500.JPG&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "HM's Team of the Term, Spring 2023")
