ISI Inspection 2019

Brentwood School has been rated ‘excellent’ in every possible category by a recent report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, the body approved by the Department for Education to inspect schools that are members of the Independent Schools Council.

The report was put together after four days of intense by inspectors who watched lessons and interviewed pupils, staff and Governors. Parents filled in questionnaires and inspectors sampled co-curricular activities and visited the Boarding Houses. 

The report heaps praise of all aspects of teaching and learning and the outcomes achieved by pupils:

“The school’s focus on growth mindsets and the attributes of an effective learner through the Brentwood Learner Profile has contributed significantly to this highly successful outcome...”

“Pupils develop a great depth and breadth of skills, knowledge and understanding, due to the wide choices available to them, and a strong ethos of personal development.”

“Pupils’ excellent attitudes to learning enable them to master extremely challenging tasks.”

This follows outstanding academic results last summer when the Senior School’s A Level A*-B grade percentage increased by 5% to 75%, and the same percentage received offers to their first choice university.

Headmaster of the Preparatory School Mr Jason Whiskerd, who himself serves as an Independent Schools Inspector, and is looking forward to a major development and expansion completing next year, said he was delighted by the report and paid tribute to his staff and pupils who had worked tirelessly to ensure the School shined out as a beacon of excellence. 

The School thrives, however, not just in academic areas. The quality of the pupils’ personal development has also been rated excellent:

“Pupils’ self-understanding is excellent. Resilient and self-aware, they feel exceptionally well prepared for the challenges of life beyond school. Pupils show excellent leadership skills, seeking to improve the lives of others within the school community.”

The report added that pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and those with English as an Additional Language (EAL) achieve at comparable levels with their peers through the provision of individually tailored support.

The report went on: “The cultural diversity of the school is highly valued by pupils, who demonstrate exceptional tolerance for all members of their community.” 

This part of the report stands as good evidence that the School is meeting its aim of enabling students to emerge as intellectually curious, resilient, enterprising and independent young people with good moral character.

Brentwood’s extra-curricular programme was described as ‘exceptional’ and continues to be a major strength of the School. “Pupils engage and excel in an exceptional range of extra-curricular activities, pursuing their personal strengths and passions in supportive and challenging environments, benefiting from considerable investment of time and resources by staff, leaders and governors.”

The leadership of the School was also praised, with particular attention paid to actively promoting the wellbeing of pupils, something the School has worked hard on over the last few years.

Headmaster Mr Ian Davies commented: “Everyone associated with Brentwood School knows what an exceptional School it is, and to have this confirmed by a professional body of inspectors is particularly pleasing. My thanks also goes to our hugely supportive parents for their part in helping us to get the very best from our pupils.”