St. Mary’s College has been warmly praised by the organisation that serves as the national watchdog for the UK’s independent schools.

In its latest inspection of the school - the first since 2007 - the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) said St. Mary’s ‘successfully meets its aim of pursuing excellence within an ethos of striving to be the best, through the provision of a broad and demanding curriculum’.

The inspectors say that the school has visionary leadership and that the quality of teaching is good and often excellent, encouraging pupils to think independently.

Students’ attainment levels are also praised in the report, and the personal, moral and spiritual development of pupils is described as ‘excellent’.

The ISI inspectors were impressed with the exceptionally wide range of sporting activities at the college as well as pupils’ extensive involvement in the performing arts, especially in music of an ‘excellent standard’. The quality of the programme of other extracurricular activities was also judged to be excellent.

St. Mary’s was recognised in the report for its excellent links with the families of pupils.  Inspectors described the majority of responses to a questionnaire they had sent to parents and carers as ‘extremely positive’, underlining the school’s excellent pastoral support.

The Early Years Department for the under-fives – which includes the Bright Sparks Nursery and the reception class at The Mount preparatory school – is described as ‘outstanding’ in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

The inspectors say that children of all abilities make ‘excellent progress’ in the nursery, and clearly enjoy their time in what they describe as ‘a calm and stimulating environment’.

Meanwhile, attainment levels at The Mount preparatory school are described as ‘high’ in relation to national age-related expectations and inspectors praised the wide-ranging curriculum offered to pupils.

Commenting on the ISI report, St. Mary’s College Principal Mike Kennedy, said: “Everyone here is delighted at the inspectors’ comments which are overwhelmingly positive for all three parts of the school.

“What is particularly encouraging is that their comments highlight many aspects of the success of our ‘whole person’ approach to education, which focuses on both academic excellence and encouraging achievement in a wide range of other activities as well.

“I would like to thank everyone associated with St. Mary’s whose efforts have contributed to making this excellent report possible,” added Mr Kennedy.

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