Independent Schools Inspectorate praise Durlston Prep & Senior School’s ‘supportive and well-rounded’ curriculum

INDEPENDENT school Durlston is celebrating after being praised by education inspectors who singled out its pastoral support for special mention.

They said it contributed to pupils’ “development of self-confidence and self-esteem”.

Governors and leaders at the Barton school were also congratulated, by the Independent Schools Inspectorate for evaluating the impact of the school’s provision methodically, and taking effective action “designed to improve pupils’ outcomes”.

Teachers were praised for adapting to “meet the needs of different groups of pupils, including those who have special educational needs, or disabilities”.

Staff were also said to “promote pupils’ sense of responsibility towards others by encouraging involvement in initiatives like the school council and community service, while fostering social responsibility, environmental care, and cultural awareness through a supportive and well-rounded curriculum”.

Speaking after the visit, headmaster Richard May said: “We are delighted that we received recognition for the high standards we have at school and that the inspectors recognised those areas that we feel make Durlston such a special place to be.

“We are a ‘family’ orientated school, where everybody is truly known.

“It was an incredibly useful process, and we will continue to review and adapt as we strive for sustained excellence in this exciting stage of development for Durlston.

“We are pleased that the result of the inspection successfully reflected the hard work and dedication of our whole school community – staff, parents and pupils alike.”

There were a few areas inspectors singled out improvement, including sex education. Although they said it met statutory requirements and contained “appropriate content overall”, lessons about puberty and sexual relationships did not meet the needs of some older pupils “as substantially as possible”.

Inspectors also advised the school to strengthen careers guidance about post-16 course choices to “better inform and prepare” pupils for the next stage in their education.

Teachers, they added, were not “always reviewing policies as effectively as possible”, and pointed out that at the start of the inspection “the safeguarding policy did not reflect current statutory guidance”. This was, however, “rectified” during the inspection.