Staff and pupils at independent senior school, St Albans School, are celebrating an outstandingly positive ISI inspection this week having met full expectations across all five standards including leadership, management and governance; quality of education, training and recreation; pupils’ physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing; pupils’ social and economic education and contribution to society; and safeguarding.
The inspection report praised the schools’ leaders for creating a broad curriculum which meets pupils’ different needs and attitudes and where ‘pupils are motivated to learn’, adding that ‘the school’s well-structured curriculum is academically ambitious across subjects, supporting pupils’ progress and achievement.’ The report also highlighted that its ‘teachers provide appropriate challenge and encourage pupils to think deeply. As a result, pupils articulate mature and interesting reflections about texts they study’.
Deemed by the ISI to be a ‘significant strength, St Albans School was also recognised and praised for its well-resourced co-curricular programme. The report emphasised that the co-curricular offering is ‘wide-ranging and well designed to support pupils’ different skills, interests and personal development’, while noting that the schools’ leaders closely monitor pupils’ participation across the many activities available to ensure that everyone benefits. The programme is regularly reviewed and adapted to meet the pupils’ changing interests.
Joe Silvester, Head at St Albans School commented, “ISI reports are intentionally factual and measured, yet even within this format the inspectors have captured what makes St Albans School such a special community. We are particularly thrilled to be recognised and commended for our exceptional co-curricular programme which complements our curriculum and benefits all of our pupils, including those in our Sixth Form.”
Other findings from the inspector’s report highlighted how St Albans School pupils consistently show respect and are accepting of others. It also noted that the curriculum, together with the commended co-curricular programme and the schools’ assemblies, increases pupils’ self-confidence and self-esteem.
“The inspectors praised our pupils for developing ‘skills and knowledge necessary for the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and respect’, and in line with our motto ‘born not for ourselves’, they have been recognised for regularly volunteering in the community with the ISI stating they ‘are well placed to make a positive contribution to society in their future lives’. Such a positive report wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our incredible pupils, staff, parents and governors, all of whom I extend my sincere thanks to,” added Mr Silvester.
The ISI inspected St Albans School in October 2025. The inspection framework introduced in September 2023 represents a significant shift from the previous model. Under this new framework, the ISI has moved away from single-word judgements such as ‘excellent’. Instead, schools are assessed on whether they have ‘met’ or ‘not met’ expectations across five key areas.