ISI Inspection Report

Quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements – EXCELLENT

Quality of pupils’ personal development – EXCELLENT

Sibford School is a warm and welcoming family school which offers an outstanding education.

The School been rated as Excellent (the highest descriptor possible) by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) following their visit to the school in December 2021.

There were two parts to the inspection: a Regulatory Compliance Inspection (RCI) and an Educational Quality Inspection (EQI). During this time, they observed lessons and learning activities, scrutinised policies and practices, carried out questionnaires with pupils, parents and staff, conducted work trawls and interviewed pupils and staff throughout the school.

We were delighted that ISI told us that: ‘pupils’ attainment and progress from their different starting points are excellent; pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding develop to a high level as they move through the school; pupils demonstrate outstanding attitudes towards learning and achievement; pupils’ communication skills are advanced for their age throughout the school’. 

ISI stated that the staff were: ‘teaching consistently thorough the school; enthusiastic; gave effective feedback; had high expectations; used very good use of praise in many lessons; celebrated and valued individuals and promoted a sense of belonging and that staff celebrate and promote the Quaker ethos’. 

We were grateful that ISI specifically ‘thanked staff and pupils for their warm welcome’.

Some highlights from the EQI report:

• ‘pupils make fast progress, achievement is excellent’
• ‘the school fully meets its aim to meet the needs of all pupils and realise their full potential’
• ‘pupils’ entirely positive attitudes are supported by enthusiastic teaching’
• pupils have a ‘thirst for life-long learning’
• ‘the school celebrate and values the individual person and promotes a sense of belonging’
• ‘the school promotes kindness and respect, fully meet[ing] its aim to create and maintain a culture in which all members of the community can be themselves’
• ‘spiritual sensibilities are strong’, ‘pupils display advanced moral development, strong collaborative skills’
• ‘pupils’ appreciation of diversity and equal treatment is excellent, pupils are confident decision makers’
• ‘pupils’ communication skills are advanced for their age, throughout the school.”
• ‘staff model the values of the school’.