SUMMARY OF INSPECTION FINDINGS
N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 5
WELCOME FROM THE HEAD
This report is first and foremost a celebration of our pupils, whose enthusiasm, curiosity and kindness shine through in all they do. It also recognises the unwavering commitment of our staff, whose professionalism and care ensure that Mowden remains a warm, nurturing and aspirational environment for every child.
To have our boarding, academic and co-curricular provision assessed so positively is a significant achievement, and a testament to the teamwork and dedication that underpin daily life at Mowden. The Inspectors were particularly struck by the conduct and character of our pupils, noting how impressively they carried themselves throughout the process - something of which we are all deeply proud.
This report acknowledges the strength of the entire Mowden family, and comes at the end of a remarkable term in which the school has also been named Independent Prep School of the Year 2025 and Most Nurturing Private School (North East) 2025. These accolades highlight not only the quality of our provision but the values that guide us.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the parents who completed the inspection questionnaire. Your feedback was universally positive and greatly appreciated; your support plays an essential role in everything we do.
I hope you enjoy exploring the highlights of this exceptional report.
Mr Phil Sturt Head, Mowden Hall School
UNDERSTANDING THE ISI INSPECTION REPORT
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is appointed by the Department for Education to inspect independent schools in England.
Between the 4 and 6 November 2025, Mowden Hall School undertook a full routine inspection. This document contains a summary of the report’s findings. The full report can be found at www.mowdenhall.org.uk.
The purpose of inspections is to report on the extent to which the statutory Independent School Standards and other applicable regulatory requirements are met.
Schools are expected to meet the following robust standards:
Leadership and 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
Safeguarding
Mowden Hall School met all of these standards.
OUR SIGNIFCANT STRENGTH
The inspecting team identified that Mowden’s boarding provision is a significant strength of the school.
A significant strength is an area of provision that shows a deep understanding of and aspiration for pupils’ development of knowledge, skills, and understanding, and a very clear and highly beneficial impact for the pupils.
Such recognition is rare, going beyond what would be seen in other schools, and is subject to rigorous quality assurance by ISI. Currently, only about 10% of schools inspected receive an area of significant strength.
The report highlights boarding as a warm, settled and family-like atmosphere that helps pupils feel secure and supported. Relationships between pupils are described as positive and inclusive, with older boarders naturally helping younger ones. The accommodation is viewed as comfortable and well-maintained, giving pupils space to relax, socialise and develop independence.
The inspecting team found that boarders feel safe, listened to and well cared for, and they appreciate that their views help shape aspects of boarding life. Structured routines, including supervised evening study, support both academic progress and personal wellbeing.
PUPILS WHO BOARD GAIN IN CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM CONTRIBUTE TO DECISION-MAKING
AND KNOW THAT THEIR VIEWS ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.”
LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
The inspectors found that leadership, management and governance at Mowden provide a clear and purposeful direction for the school, firmly rooted in its values and ethos.
The report says that leaders use these principles to guide daily practice, creating a supportive atmosphere in which pupils feel secure and able to thrive. Strategic planning is described as robust and well informed, with development priorities shaped through consultation with staff, governors and pupils. This ensures that planning is responsive to the needs of the whole community and that pupils’ views are taken seriously.
Governance is described as effective and well structured, with Radley Schools Group and our Local Advisory Group (LAG) providing strong oversight across academic, pastoral and operational areas.
The report highlights that Group leaders visit regularly, engage directly with pupils and staff, and review safeguarding, risk management and key policies with rigour.
Communication with parents is consistent and transparent, and complaints are handled carefully and reviewed to support continuous improvement.
LEADERS AND GOVERNORS SET A PURPOSEFUL DIRECTION FOR THE SCHOOL SHAPED BY ITS VALUES
AND ETHOS
QUALITY OF EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECREATION
The inspectors found that leaders have developed a broad, balanced, and inclusive curriculum that supports pupils’ development across a wide range of subjects. Teachers utilise their good subject knowledge and effective methodologies, including modelling, discussion, and practical activities , within purposeful learning environments where pupils behave well and enjoy learning.
The report says that curriculum and teaching methods are effectively adapted to ensure all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language (EAL), access the curriculum and make good progress.
Inspectors found that pupils achieve well across subjects and demonstrate a secure recall of prior learning. They show enthusiasm for reading, writing, discussion, and problem-solving , and apply their mathematical skills in real-world contexts. Furthermore, pupils use different technologies that enrich their learning and prepare them for future careers. The school offers a broad and varied recreational program where pupils participate enthusiastically , which supports their emotional, intellectual, social, and creative development.
LEADERS HAVE DEVELOPED A BROAD, BALANCED AND INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM THAT SUPPORTS
PUPILS' DEVELOPMENT ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS
PUPILS’ PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
The inspectors found that the curriculum actively promotes pupils’ social, moral, and cultural development through explicit teaching and inclusive values. Pupils explore human, social, and economic issues, discussing fairness and justice with maturity, which deepens their critical thinking and empathy.
British values are embedded across the curriculum and daily life , with pupils experiencing democracy through school council elections and encouraging debates on complex topics. The school also celebrates cultural diversity through initiatives like International Week and the study of diverse authors.
The inspectors found that leaders provide valuable opportunities for pupils to contribute positively to the school and wider community. Pupils participate in charitable work, support a local foodbank, and take on meaningful leadership roles, such as prefects and sports leaders, and even caring for the school’s brood of hens.
The report says that moral development is a consistent focus , with pupils reflecting on their behaviour through restorative approaches. Economic education is also well integrated across subjects, with pupils engaging in practical activities like budgeting for a picnic and setting up a business in an entrepreneur club, preparing them for future economic challenges.
BEHAVIOUR
ACROSS THE SCHOOL IS GOOD PUPILS ARE POLITE, CONSIDERATE AND REFLECTIVE
PUPILS’ SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EDUCATION AND CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
The inspectors found that the school culture deliberately promotes social, moral, and cultural development, not just through dedicated lessons but also as a core element of daily school life and values.
The inspectors found a strong commitment to practical application and community engagement. The report says that pupils are given meaningful opportunities to contribute positively, both within the school environment, through taking on significant leadership roles like prefects and sports leaders, and in the wider community through involvement in charitable activities and supporting local organisations.
This focus on responsibility is reinforced by the school's consistent approach to moral development, which encourages pupils to reflect deeply on their behaviour. Furthermore, economic education is effectively woven into various subjects, where pupils engage in real-world simulations and activities like budgeting projects and entrepreneurial clubs.
This ensures that they gain the necessary financial literacy and life skills, preparing them with confidence and clarity for their future educational and professional journeys.
BRITISH VALUES ARE EMBEDDED ACROSS THE CURRICULUM AND DAILY LIFE
SAFEGUARDING
The inspectors found that this robust structure ensures concerns are recognized quickly and pupils receive timely, appropriate support. Staff receive regular, effective training through varied methods, including termly sessions and weekly quizzes, enabling them to apply procedures with confidence.
Leaders respond immediately to concerns, including low-level concerns, using specialist software and maintaining detailed records, which ensures pupils get the help they need. Effective links are maintained with external agencies, such as children’s services and the police, to secure help for vulnerable pupils.
The inspectors found that governors provide rigorous oversight of safeguarding policies and procedures, reviewing reports and completing regular training to remain well-informed. The report says that stringent recruitment procedures are implemented, with all required safer recruitment checks accurately recorded in the single central record (SCR).
The school manages online safety through a robust internet filtering and monitoring system. Furthermore, pupils understand how to stay safe, both in person and online , and are taught about personal safety and online risks. They are confident in knowing who to approach for help and can use anonymous reporting tools.
The boarding staff are especially mindful of the additional risks in a residential environment and are well-trained to ensure close supervision and safe practices during evenings and weekends.
IS WELL
Mowden Hall School
Mowden Hall School, Newton, Stocksfield NE43 7TP
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