St. Clare's, Oxford

Principal, Paula Holloway, is very happy to pass on the excellent news about St. Clare’s recent successful inspection by Ofsted, a government agency. There are four categories of assessment: Outstanding, Good, Satisfactory and Inadequate.

There has been a lot of publicity in the newspapers and other media recently about how difficult it is for good schools to be graded as Outstanding. Not so at St. Clare’s. The College has been awarded the highest rating for the quality of its boarding after a recent Ofsted inspection in November 2009, something that fewer than 10% of boarding schools achieve in the UK.

St. Clare’s is judged to have exceptionally high quality of provision in the following areas; helping children to be healthy, protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe, helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do and helping children make a positive contribution.

The report is full of positive remarks about the College but the following points deserve to be highlighted:

• Boarders are effectively protected from bullying. The analysis of the boarders’ survey was remarkable in that ‘no’ was always the answer to the question ‘Are you being bullied?’
• Boarders’ health is very well promoted through the personal, social and health (PSHE) programme which is comprehensive and well-organised, adapted to the needs of young adults and focused on preparation for their future lives.
• Use of discipline with boarders is fair and appropriate. The college has clear and well understood disciplinary procedures.
• There is vigorous selection and vetting of staff.
• There is a high level of security across the college and boarding houses, as a result of excellent security measures in place.
• Boarders do not experience discrimination.
• Boarders receive very good quality catering provision, both in the college’s dining hall and café.
• Students and staff of all nationalities live and study together; college life is enriched by a diversity of views.
• Boarders are enabled to contribute to the operation of boarding in the college, meeting another of the college’s aims that is to develop students’ independence of mind.
• There is an excellent process of induction and guidance for new boarders. On arrival, new students enter a very well organised and comprehensive four day induction programme, involving an orientation team of senior students, who the college seek feedback from to evaluate afterwards.
• The college’s organisation of boarding makes an excellent contribution to boarders’ welfare.
• The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Boarders do not experience discrimination; they benefit from an international education and multicultural understanding from life in the college.
• Staff with boarding duties are supported by clear boarding policies and practice to follow, and benefit from good induction and continued training.