ISI and OFSTED INSPECTION REPORTS - 2009
Christ's Hospital underwent its six-yearly inspection in September this year with inspection teams here from both the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and OFSTED. The ISI team scrutinised our pastoral care, general educational provision, governance, management and links to parents and the community, while the OFSTED team looked at our welfare provision. Copies of the two inspection reports can be found on the school website.
OFSTED Inspection Report September 09
Final Inspection Report September 09
Both the ISI and OFSTED inspection teams highlighted much that was very good or outstanding at CH, with the ISI report concluding that Christ's Hospital is, "conspicuously successful in its aim to provide a high quality boarding experience and a broad and challenging academic education. The strong house communities and the care and concern shown by all staff contribute strongly to the outstanding relationships and high standards of pupils' personal development. GCSE and A-level results have been good and above the level expected for the ability and background of the pupils, who are keen to learn and show commendably positive attitudes to their work. These achievements are enhanced by the excellent quality of the extra-curricular programme and opportunities for service in the community ".
However, as well as identifying many positive aspects of the school's academic, pastoral and co-curricular programmes, the inspectors found some areas where we could do better (eg the PSHE and tutorial programmes) and two important administrative areas where the school had not been fully compliant with the statutory regulations. The first of these related to gaps in the documentation of staff recruitment, while the second related to the separation of pupils and outside users in the Bluecoat Sports Centre. Because these are both "safeguarding" issues, this meant that the overall quality of welfare provision at CH was rated as "inadequate" by the OFSTED inspectors in spite of all the good work elsewhere.
As Head Master, I am very disappointed by this, but I can assure you that these matters have now been rectified and that the school is fully compliant with all of the current regulations. We have therefore asked the DCSF to arrange a follow-up OFSTED inspection at the earliest possible opportunity to confirm that we are compliant and upgrade their rating.
Christ's Hospital is a fine school committed to providing a first class boarding education for children from all walks of life. It is a school like no other and all of us here will continue to do all we can to change the lives of the pupils in our care.
John Franklin, 24th November '09
Head Master