OCTOBER 2025
THE INSPECTORS IDENTIFIED A SIGNIFICANT
STRENGTH IN BRADFIELD’S LEADERSHIP
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It gives me great pleasure to introduce Bradfield College’s Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Report and to share with you what the inspectors found during their visit in October 2025.
Under the new ISI framework, schools are not awarded overall grades but must demonstrate compliance across a wide range of standards. I am delighted that Bradfield was confirmed as fully compliant in every area, including leadership and governance; the quality of education, training and recreation; pupils’ physical, emotional and mental wellbeing; and safeguarding, including the National Minimum Standards for Boarding.
The inspectors also identified a ‘significant strength’ in Bradfield’s leadership. They highlighted the College’s highly effective use of self-evaluation and pupil data to shape timely academic and pastoral interventions. This, they noted, has a notably positive impact on pupils’ wellbeing and exemplifies reflective, well-informed leadership at its best.
Bradfield is a community where academic challenge, excellent pastoral care and a focus on personal development are equally valued, and it is reassuring to see this recognised by the inspection team. At Bradfield, our purpose is to provide an education for life, and that means continually striving to raise our ambitions for every young person in our care. The ISI’s findings are a welcome affirmation of our direction, but they also strengthen our commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation.
Tom Beardmore-Gray Warden (Chair of Governors)
The ISI’s findings are a welcome affirmation of our direction, but they also strengthen our commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation
THIS EXCELLENT INSPECTION REPORT IS A TELLING REFLECTION UPON OUR ENDURING COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT QUALITY OF EDUCATION
It is an absolute pleasure to share this inspection report with you. Bradfield College is an extraordinarily special community and possesses a wonderfully kind and nurturing culture. It is our mission to inspire young people to flourish in all aspects of their lives. We encourage their ambitions, develop their potential, and celebrate their many achievements. Bradfield College is a school community that fizzes with energy and sparkles with creativity.
We are very proud of our pupils, and we value their humility, courage, and resilience. Spending time with Bradfieldians is a delight, and we do consider ourselves to be one extended family. That we received the rare accolade of a ‘significant strength’ for leadership is attributable to the vision and hard work of colleagues whom I am privileged to work alongside. As a parent, I am incredibly grateful for the dedication and investment of our academic and operational staff.
In some regards, this excellent inspection report provides a little more than a snapshot in time, but it is also a telling reflection upon our enduring commitment to provide an excellent quality of education. As we move on from our 175 celebrations, we look to the future with a sense of optimism and joy. There is so much for us to accomplish, but it is reassuring to receive such a powerfully emphatic validation from the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
Jeremy Quartermain Head head@bradfieldcollege.org.uk
The rare accolade of a ‘significant strength’ for leadership is attributable to the vision and hard work of colleagues whom I am privileged to work alongside
Section01 LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, AND GOVERNANCE (Recognised
as a Significant Strength)
KEY FINDINGS
• Leaders demonstrate strong knowledge and skills, implementing policies effectively.
• Rigorous self-evaluation leads to highly effective decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Governors provide structured and effective oversight.
• Risk assessments are thorough and regularly reviewed.
• Communication with parents is clear; complaints are handled promptly.
• Equality Act responsibilities are met, with an updated accessibility plan.
• Effective liaison with external agencies supports pupil wellbeing.
• Boarding leadership prioritises pupils’ welfare.
Leaders use the findings of their self-evaluation to take highly effective action to continuously improve the provision so that it meets pupils’ emerging pastoral and academic needs.
Section02 QUALITY OF EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECREATION
QUALITY
KEY FINDINGS
• Broad, well-resourced curriculum tailored to pupils’ needs and prior attainment.
• Teaching is well-planned, uses high-quality resources, and promotes independent thinking.
• Assessment framework is robust; progress is monitored regularly.
• SEND and EAL pupils generally make good progress due to tailored support.
• Strong extra-curricular provision (arts, sports, LAMDA, etc.).
• Sixth-form curriculum offers flexibility (A-levels and IB Diploma).
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“ Teachers ensure that
learning activities contain levels of challenge matched well to the prior attainment of pupils and enable them to make good progress.
Section03 PUPILS’ PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
KEY FINDINGS
• Environment promotes mutual respect and tolerance.
• PSHE and RSE programmes are ageappropriate and relevant.
• Physical education fosters resilience, teamwork, and mental health benefits.
• Boarding accommodation is high quality, safe, and conducive to study.
• Health and safety arrangements are effective; medical provision is strong.
• Behaviour management is fair and consistent; bullying is not tolerated.
“ “ All House staff play a central role in monitoring pupils’ emotional wellbeing and academic progress and in providing support in these areas when required.
Section04 PUPILS’ SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EDUCATION AND CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
KEY FINDINGS
• Pupils actively contribute to local and international charities.
• Strong focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion through pupil-led initiatives.
• Pupils learn about British society, democratic processes, and global issues.
• Careers guidance is comprehensive and up-to-date, including fairs, mock interviews, and networking advice.
• Economic education covers budgeting, saving, and financial literacy.
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“ The school develops pupils’ sense of social responsibility effectively and encourages them to contribute to the wider community.
BRADFIELD COLLEGE
Section05 SAFEGUARDING
KEY FINDINGS
• Robust safeguarding policies aligned with statutory guidance.
• Governors maintain strong oversight and receive regular training.
• Staff are well-trained; pupils have multiple channels to report concerns.
• Effective online safety measures and monitoring systems.
• Safer recruitment checks are thorough and regularly reviewed.
Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of safeguarding practice and how to respond to pupil concerns. Boarding and house staff receive additional training tailored to their roles.
