We are very pleased with our recent inspection report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Highlighted below are some direct quotes from the report which can be read in its entirety by accessing the link below

·          Pupils develop effectively their knowledge, skills and understanding across the extended curriculum in line with the school’s aims of developing independent thinking, confident and well-balanced young people, promoting high academic standards, encouraging curiosity and inspiring a lifelong love of learning. Pupils’ success is supported by their extremely good attitudes to learning and exemplary behaviour.

·          The quality of teaching enables pupils to achieve well, both academically and across the richly extensive curriculum, which is an important part of the school’s ethos and philosophy. Teachers’ subject knowledge is excellent and resources are well used.

·         Children show exceptionally high levels of enjoyment, curiosity, imagination and creativity

·          They have high levels of self-esteem and self confidence, and are reflective about the world around them, partly because of the distinctive field and walking trip programme undertaken in this country and abroad. Enrichment through trips and visits is excellent, in line with the aims of the school.

·         The pastoral care shown to pupils is excellent and supports their outstanding personal development extremely well.

·          Pupils’ social awareness is outstanding, they have a strong cultural awareness and they develop an extensive general knowledge about the world around them

·          The quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent, and is promoted by exemplary relationships between pupils, and between pupils and staff.

·          They develop social and leadership skills as they collaborate and work together in teams effectively.

·          The pupils’ excellent attitudes to their learning, their exemplary behaviour and effective teaching make a strong contribution to their achievement.

·          The pupils’ moral code is extremely well developed. A sense of right and wrong is very much in evidence in pupils and is actively fostered by staff. Part of the school’s ethos is self-discipline and pupil outcomes are exemplary

·          Pupils are well prepared for their future schooling. Their academic progress is also borne out by the range of scholarships won to their senior schools each year.

·          At senior leadership level, a clear overall vision is apparent which is seen in the good quality of education and the excellent personal development of the pupil

·          Parents report that they are extremely happy with the education and support provided for their children. There are strong channels of communication between school and home

The report has also given us some suggestions for further improvement such as ways to cater for individual needs more precisely in lessons, and we hope that you will notice more detailed targets in future reports. We will also look carefully at the fine detail of our departmental planning, continue to share best practice amongst teaching staff and further enhance our in-service training. As always strategic planning for future development of all areas of the school is a major item on our whole school development plan and we are full of ideas and optimism about future Dolphin initiatives!

Many thanks to everyone for all your support and your commitment to the very individual educational experience that we offer here at Dolphin.