Sheffield Girls’ Achieves Top Rating in ISI Inspection

Staff and pupils at Sheffield High School for Girls are celebrating this week after achieving the top standard in their recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

At a time when it is increasingly difficult to achieve the top ratings from ISI, staff at the school were thrilled to learn that, after completion of the ‘Regulatory Compliance and Educational Quality Inspection’, pupils’ academic and other achievements were rated ‘Excellent’ and the quality of pupils’ personal development was also rated ‘Excellent’ – the highest judgments possible.

Pupils at the school were praised for their attitudes to learning, their proactive and positive support of others and their ability to work collaboratively and independently.

Their curiosity and love of learning, as well as their confident and autonomous use of technology across the curriculum, were also highlighted as standout qualities. This is demonstrated by the school’s ‘Digital Leaders’, who were the first students in the country to be awarded a Google accredited teaching qualification, which has enabled them to support the wider adoption of technology across the school by students and staff alike.

The team of inspectors, who spent four days at the school in September, noted that students at Sheffield Girls’ showed great commitment to the wider school community, were willing to take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles and demonstrated exemplary behaviour: ‘Pupils have a positive impact upon their school community, relishing the opportunity to take on responsibilities and make a difference to the happiness of all, pupils and adults alike.’

The report continues: ‘From an early age, pupils are exceptionally good listeners, showing interest in the views of others; they are confident speakers and articulately express themselves in a range of contexts.’

Head, Mrs. Nina Gunson said: ‘We are delighted with the inspection outcomes and felt incredibly proud when reading the ISI report. The strengths recognised by the inspectors were a super validation that Sheffield Girls’ successfully achieves its aims, which are: to nurture a love of learning and curiosity that encourages our girls to explore, question and challenge and to enable our pupils to develop confidence and pride in themselves as they prepare to take their place and make a difference in an ever changing world.’

The full report can be found at www.sheffieldhighschool.org.uk