Month: January 2024

We are delighted to announce that Claremont has been awarded a fourth consecutive judgement of ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in all areas, following a full inspection in November 2023.  Under the new Inspection Framework, the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision were highly praised by inspectors, who described Claremont as ‘a school that continues to move forward’.  

Severine Collins, Principal said: “We are extremely proud that Ofsted has awarded Claremont outstanding ratings across all its areas of reporting. To be rated Outstanding on four consecutive occasions is exceptional and testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire school community of students, parents and of course our staff.

At Claremont, we want to inspire and encourage each child to become their best. We celebrate individuality and appreciate differences as strengths; and we support our students to embrace their passions, ambitions and talents, building learners for life. I am delighted that this has been recognised by the Ofsted inspection team.”

Key highlights from the Ofsted report include:

• Attitudes to learning: ‘Pupils’ attitudes to learning are excellent. Standards are high because staff are determined and encourage pupils to be their best. Pupils are expected to contribute positively to all areas of the school. As a result, they work hard, learn to become resilient, and achieve very well.’
• Curriculum: ‘The curriculum has great breadth and prepares pupils well for their next steps… The curriculum is taught by specialists. Staff are dedicated and act as advocates for their subject areas. Their enthusiasm rubs off on pupils, who are not afraid to share forthright views about their favourite lessons. Pupils appreciate the way staff support and encourage them in their learning.’
• Enrichment opportunities: ‘One real strength of the school is the wide range of enrichment opportunities it provides for pupils, whether they are day pupils or boarders. The school day is as full as it is long. The curriculum beyond the academic gives pupils opportunities well outside the norm. Clubs and extracurricular activities adorn daily timetables. Both sites of the school are well resourced. Sports halls, theatres, swimming pools, science labs, acres of sports pitches and a dedicated sixth form centre provide the springboard for pupils to be themselves and to succeed.’
• Sixth Form: ‘Students in the sixth form also benefit from high quality teaching in these core subjects [mathematics and the sciences]. This leads to a range of meaningful qualifications to support their next steps on leaving the school. Approximately half of students in the sixth form are new to the school. Some join from overseas. Those who need additional support with language, typically those who speak English as an additional language, get the help they need to succeed. The school’s careers programme gains momentum in the senior school and sixth form. The result is that many students gain places at top universities, while others forge successful careers in sport or the arts.’
• Ethos and values: ‘The school places a high degree of importance on developing each pupil individually. Tolerance and respect for others’ points of view are expected and overt in the school’s culture. Bespoke programmes of work are readily available when pupils need additional guidance because life’s challenges hinder progress. Developing pupils’ understanding of the world and the people who live in it underpins the school’s ethos and values.’
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities: ‘Pupils with SEND do equally well here. Staff are adept at identifying pupils who need additional support. Being different is not a barrier to success. They [pupils] describe their school as safe and problem free’.
• Leadership: ‘This is a school that continues to move forward. Leaders at all levels are determined to build further on the strengths that are firmly established across the school. Those in positions of governance are effective in supporting the school to grow and improve further.’

Congratulations to all the leadership and teaching teams on such an impressive inspection record.  What a fantastic way to start the year!

To read the full report click on the link below