Shrewsbury High School recognised as “EXCELLENT in all areas”
Independent Schools Inspectorate 2023
We are delighted that Shrewsbury High School GDST has been recognised as “excellent in all areas” by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in its recent report, the highest rating obtainable.
At Shrewsbury High School we are committed to inspiring and empowering our students. This report highlights just how successful we are in our mission. Not only does it show that our students are flourishing academically, it also testifies to what resilient, confident and collaborative young women they are.
While many things from the report stand out, we are particularly proud that our pupils demonstrate a deep respect and great empathy for one another and pride in their inclusive community.
We are dedicated to fostering an environment where students can develop a strong sense of self-worth that will be vital for future success and happiness, where our girls can experiment, have a go, and be brave. The report shows that our girls do this wholeheartedly, with a complete awareness for the responsibility they have towards each other and the school.
The success of this report is thanks not just to the students themselves, but also the extraordinary teachers and support staff at Shrewsbury High School whose commitment to guiding and inspiring their students is second to none.
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Report overview
The ISI carried out its inspection of Shrewsbury High School in November 2022.
ISI respresentatives observed lessons, asssemblies, clubs and breaktimes, interviewed teachers and students, surveyed parents, students and staff, and examined samples of students’ work.
It found the school to be excellent across all categories.
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“The quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent.”
“The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.”
“Pupils show great empathy for each other.”
Key Report Findings:
The quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.
Pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding are notably strong and they are willing to take risks with their learning.
Pupils are enthusiastic, ambitious, self-motivated and take responsibility for their own learning.
Pupils have highly developed learning skills which they employ confidently.
The quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent.
Pupils demonstrate excellent social development and collaborate productively.
Pupils develop an excellent understanding of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and know how to take responsibility for their own wellbeing.
Pupils are empathetic and tolerant with a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
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Academic Highlights:
“Pupils’ highly positive attitudes to learning demonstrate their drive and determination. They are enthusiastic and ambitious learners with a genuine desire to succeed.”
“Pupils feel safe and supported and are therefore confident to take risks with their learning and do not see getting something wrong as a failure.”
“Excellent levels of engagement in lessons where pupils work with self-motivation and intense focus, both individually and collaboratively.”
“Excellent progress achieved by pupils as a result of their positive attitudes to learning, supported by teachers’ strong subject knowledge, careful planning and highly engaging teaching.”
“Throughout the school, pupils respond well to the high expectations, enthusiasm and passion of their teachers, in line with the school’s core pillars of character, endeavour and achievement which encourage the development of positive and resilient attitudes.”
“In many lessons pupils were seen working confidently with numbers. Where individuals find things more challenging, scaffolding and teacher support proves effective in enabling them to apply their numerical skills effectively.”
“Senior Leaders’ strong commitment to offering a broad and highly personalised curriculum, alongside an outstanding range of extracurricular options including those providing academic enrichment, enables pupils to excel.”
“The personalised curriculum choices available to pupils ensure that their individual needs and interests are met effectively.”
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“Pupils are highly articulate.”
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“High-quality relationships between pupils and teachers further enhance the benefits of small class sizes.”
“Pupils in the Junior School develop excellent ICT skills through regular timetabled teaching, reinforced in all subject areas. This ensurses learning is extremely well embedded and they develop a strong technical foundation to build upon.”
“Pupils exhibit extremely strong and sophisticated study skills for their age.”
“Pupils are highly articulate, share their ideas willingly and listen respectfully to each other.”
“Pupils’ attainment at A level in 2022 was strong with almost half of all results achieving an A* or A. Results in GCSE are equally indicative of the high-quality of learning and teaching. Data analysed show almost all pupils achieve examination results that are higher than expected for their ability.”
Personal Development Highlights:
“The strong community ethos means that pupils are excellent at looking after each other and confident to speak to a trusted adult should they have concerns.”
“Pupils value and celebrate diversity, demonstrating a deep respect for each other and their community. They speak of the school as being an inclusive community where a culture of mutual respect is pervasive.”
“Pupils make an excellent contribution to the lives of others with the school and the wider community.”
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“There is an exceptionally strong ethos within the school.”
“Pupils develop outstanding social and collaborative skills through all aspects of school life as a result of the school’s aim to instil core values of moral integrity, respect for self and others, social responsibility and ambition.”
“Pupils talk about the community as an inclusive one to which they are proud to belong. ”
“Pupils demonstrate excellent levels of realistic self-awareness, understanding their own strengths and areas of development. They are encouraged to face challenges, strive to improve and to initially attempt to work things out for themselves. This approach, together with individual target setting encourages and promotes pupils’ selfesteem, confidence, discipline and resilience.”
“Pupils develop strong decision making skills, understanding that they are important determinants of their own successes and wellbeing.”
“The moral development and understanding of pupils are excellent. They fully appreciate the concept of right and wrong, taking responsibility for their behaviour. This produces an atmosphere across the school of calm, purpose and order.”
“Pupils gain confidence from the readily available support provided by staff, including the school nurse and counsellor and they are confident their voices will be heard.”
“All parents agreed that the school actively promotes values of democracy, respect and tolerance of others.”
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“Pupils recognise that small acts can make a significant difference to other people. There are many examples of senior girls guiding younger ones.”
Who is the ISI?
The Independent Schools Inspectorate is appointed by the Department of Education to inspect association Independent Schools in England and British schools overseas.
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Who are we?
Shrewsbury High School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
We are part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST).
Our focus is on creating an environment where every young girl can fulfil her potential and dreams and thoroughly enjoy the adventure of school.
For more information, and the full ISI Report, visit our website at www.shrewsburyhigh.gdst.net
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Independent Day School 01743 494000 enquiries@shr.gdst.net 32 Town Walls, Shrewsbury, SY1 1TN www.shrewsburyhigh.gdst.net Follow us on Twitter @ShrewsburyHigh Follow us on Facebook Shrewsbury High School Follow us on Instagram @shrewsburyhigh
