Bradfield was praised across all areas of its provision by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) during a visit in October. The report highlights the College’s “broad and well-balanced curriculum” which is “carefully tailored to meet the needs of all groups of pupils” and inspectors found that teaching enables pupils to learn well, with clear learning objectives and strong subject expertise helping them to think and learn independently. Teachers were praised for designing activities that provide the right level of challenge based on pupils’ prior attainment, ensuring that they make good progress across subjects.
The College also received a ‘significant strength’ for its reflective and well-informed approach to leadership which enables targeted academic and pastoral support which is highly beneficial for pupils’ wellbeing. Fewer than one in ten independent schools are given a ‘significant strength’ in recognition of an area of provision that demonstrates an exceptional impact on pupils.
Inspectors commended the strong school culture, where leaders nurture an environment of mutual respect and tolerance. This ethos enables pupils to participate confidently in all areas of school life.
The report also emphasises the school’s effective development of pupils’ social responsibility, encouraging them to play an active role in the wider community.
Jeremy Quartermain, Head of Bradfield College, said: “This report makes for tremendously reassuring reading. It is reflective of a school community which is in excellent health, but there is no room for complacency, and we are resolutely committed to ensuring that we continue to reflect very carefully on all aspects of our provision. The inspection team enjoyed their visit and found our pupils to be confident, friendly and engaging. We are very proud of this community and it is always a pleasure to welcome visitors into our midst so that they can experience something of the magic that occurs here daily.”
While ISI reports no longer provide single-word overall judgements such as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’, they do identify any significant strengths and confirm whether schools meet all regulatory requirements. The College was found to be fully compliant in every area, including the quality of its educational provision, safeguarding arrangements and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding — reflecting the strong culture of care and high standards across the school.
The broad and well-balanced curriculum is carefully tailored to meet the needs of all groups of pupils. Teaching enables pupils to learn well.
Teachers communicate clear learning objectives and good subject knowledge to facilitate pupils’ ability to think and learn independently.
Teachers ensure that learning activities contain levels of challenge matched well to the prior attainment of pupils and enable them to make good progress.
Leaders nurture an environment of mutual respect and tolerance that encourages pupils to engage in all the activities offered with confidence.
The physical education (PE) programme develops pupils’ resilience, teamwork and sports-related skills.
The school develops pupils’ sense of social responsibility effectively and encourages them to contribute to the wider community.
