ISI Reports
Independent Schools Inspectorate Report 2026
As you are aware, March 2026 saw our routine inspection from the Independent Schools
Inspectorate (ISI) and we welcomed ten inspectors onsite across three days. They evaluated surveys, read policies, spoke to students and staff, spent significant time in lessons, activities and boarding houses, and were fully immersed across the whole school. It was excellent to have them with us. We received the completed final report we take pleasure in attaching it below.
It is important to note that the structure and wording within ISI reports has changed under a new framework that was introduced in 2023. As such, schools are no longer given headline
judgements such as ‘Excellent’; instead, they are assessed as to whether they meet the expected ISI standards relating to five key areas. Furthermore, the narrative language used to describe any
school’s education under the new framework is not as effusive as it used to be. For example, where words such as ‘good’, ‘meet’ or ‘well’ are used in any school’s ISI report, this is likely because the
same words are used in the standard they are evaluating against, and must therefore be used in the inspectors’ narrative.
Within these understandable editorial constraints, we are incredibly proud of the outcome of our report and how inspectors experienced our education in action. I am delighted that Wellington has, in formal terms, met all the standards required in every one of the five areas. But the report makes clear that the school didn’t just meet the standards but exceeded them by a considerable margin.
Independent Schools Inspectorate Report 2023: Excellent
We were pleased to welcome a team of Independent Schools Inspectors into the School in March 2023, who ran a full statutory inspection.
The ISI is a government approved independent inspectorate body for independent schools, quality assured for the purpose of inspection under Section 106 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 on behalf of the Department for Education and Ofsted.
What is included in an educational quality inspection report?
"Educational quality inspection reports offer detailed assessments of a school. The report includes an introductory section on the characteristics of the school, such as its aims and ethos.
Reports focus on the two main outcomes for pupils: achievement and personal development. Reports include factors which contribute to these outcomes such as the curriculum, teaching, pastoral care, and governance, leadership and management." - ISI
What can an educational quality inspection report tell me about a school?
"Inspection reports give a frank and objective overall account of a school’s provision and outcomes for pupils. They should indicate how well the education caters for pupils of different needs and abilities, how broad the education is, what the atmosphere of the school is like – in terms of the ethos, behaviour of pupils and relationships – and how well pupils are cared for." - ISI
The ISI grading system
For educational quality inspections ISI uses grades as part of the report. ISI does not make a single overarching judgement on a school but instead makes a clear judgement for the two aspects using one of the following four grades:
- Excellent
- Good
- Sound
- Unsatisfactory
Wellington School: Excellent
As a result, Wellington was found to have achieved the highest ISI grade possible - Excellent.
"Pupils are confident communicators.”
"Pupils display positive attitudes towards their learning and engage fully with their lessons."
"Pupils have a comprehensive level of knowledge across the subject areas and use this understanding effectively."
"Pupils achieve a high standard of result in public examinations, significantly exceeding the expectations from standardised assessments."
Inspection reports for Wellington School
ISI Inspection Report 2023: Senior and Prep School
ISI Inspection Report 2023: Summary
ISI Inspection Report 2018: Senior and Prep School
ISI Inspection Report 2014: Senior School
ISI Inspection Report 2014: Prep School