'Pupils feel part of a community' - Wolverhampton school earns praise from Ofsted for boarding provision
A Wolverhampton school has been praised for its inclusive, supportive, and safe boarding environment after its latest Ofsted social care inspection.
Inspectors from the education watchdog visited The Royal School between June 24 and 26, assessing the school's residential provision under the Social Care Common Inspection Framework.
In a report published last Friday (September 19), Ofsted said the the boarding school provides effective services that meet the requirements for a 'Good' rating.
The boarding provision was judged 'Good' across all categories including the overall experiences and progress of children and young people, how well children and young people are helped and protected, and the effectiveness of leaders and managers.
Staff at the all-through school have been praised for building positive, trusting relationships with students and offering a nurturing environment that supports both academic achievement and personal growth.
The school, a state-funded, non-selective and non-denominational free school, caters for pupils aged four to 19, with boarding available from the age of 11. Of the 1,499 pupils on roll, 61 board across two houses on the main school site.
The report said boarders at The Royal School are making good academic progress. The head of boarding was praised for having a strong understanding of pupils’ academic needs, with progress carefully tracked to ensure each student receives the support they need.
Inspectors also highlighted the positive, trusting relationships between staff and boarders, noting that staff speak about pupils with "genuine care and affection".
Beyond the classroom, boarders are said to benefit from a rich cultural and social experiences, including regular themed cultural nights featuring food and decorations from around the world, as well as whole-boarding events such as birthday celebrations and a prom.
The report also noted that plans to refurbish the boarding houses are in place, with final planning applications awaiting approval. It is hoped that work will begin next year.
Ofsted said: "Boarders say that they feel happy and safe in the boarding houses and talk about the benefits of boarding. This includes them not having to travel long distances to enjoy being part of the swimming club and enjoying the various activities they do. Boarders spoke about the importance of the relationships they have with their peers and describe feeling part of a community.
"Staff keep boarders safe. Boarders have positive relationships with staff and leaders at the school and are able to raise any concerns they have. Leaders and staff respond well when boarders raise concerns.
"Leaders and staff have high expectations for boarders and make sure they receive many opportunities outside of their formal education time. They encourage boarders to follow their interests and to actively participate in things they enjoy. As a result, boarders are confident, aspirational and do well in different areas of their lives.
"Leaders embrace the ethos of the school. They are inclusive and respect boarders’ lived and cultural experiences. This inclusivity means the school makes a real difference to boarders and helps them make significant progress."
The report can be found here.
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