Summary of Findings

Independent schools are now visited every three years by a team of trained inspectors working for the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate (ISI). The process is robust, including surveys of pupils, parents and staff, confidential interviews with hundreds of pupils and dozens of staff, as well as open-door observations of lessons and school activities over the course of a week.

I am delighted to share the report from the team of Inspectors who visited the College in May 2024. As you may be aware from media coverage, the language of school inspection reports now avoids one-word judgements such as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’, and instead makes a series of evidence-based statements to describe the school provision. As well as confirming that Ardingly meets all 80+ high standards, the Inspectors also awarded the College a “significant strength” (the highest accolade available to any school under the new Inspection regime) for our boarding provision, which is an exceptional achievement.