6th January 2012
 Derby Grammar School has received a glowing report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate which has recently been published following a rigorous inspection in November 2011.
The School, which opened in Rykneld Road, Littleover, in 1995, is an independent day school for boys aged 3 to 16 and a co-educational sixth form, with nearly 300 pupils drawn from throughout Derbyshire, Staffordshire and parts of Leicestershire.
The inspection, carried out by senior staff from across the independent sector, highlighted many key areas of excellence throughout the school.
The inspection report ranked the personal development and pastoral care of pupils as excellent; pupils’ achievements as good and far above the national average, governance, leadership and management as excellent or good; quality of teaching as excellent or good; and safeguarding as good.
The Inspectors found a strong, well balanced curriculum with good facilities, high standards of teaching, a strong culture of praise and encouragement and good communication between staff, pupils and parents.
A Level and GCSE examination results are far above the national average and above the average for grammar schools in the maintained sector. The IGCSE science results were also higher than worldwide averages. The majority of A Level students gain places at their first-choice university.
Pupils enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities provided, including participation in national academic competitions, study trips in the UK and abroad and widespread involvement in music, sport, clubs and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Nine pupils have achieved the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award in the last year.
The inspectors were equally impressed with the high level of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development amongst pupils – developing a high level of self esteem, confidence and emotional maturity. Pupils are encouraged to show initiative and contribute to the development of the school and to make a difference to the wider community through voluntary service. Cultural awareness is also strongly developed with initiatives including links with a small rural community in Tanzania.
Pastoral care and welfare is excellent with a robust structure to support each pupil’s personal development and academic progress and thorough health and safety arrangements.
There is wide ranging expertise amongst the school governing body and senior management team with a good induction and training programme.
The inspectors also noted there are good links with parents, carers and guardians who expressed considerable satisfaction in their pre-inspection questionnaires with widespread opportunities for them to be involved in school life.
The only recommendations for the School were to share best teaching practice across the whole school and review the recording of the original relevant checks for appointments. All formal staff checks have been updated in 2009 and the sharing of best teaching practice is already underway.
Derby Grammar School’s Headmaster Richard Paine commented: “We are delighted with the ISI report which highlights our status as being one of the very best when rated against comparable schools across the country. “This thorough inspection by our peers in the independent sector confirms that we are achieving our aims and providing our pupils with a first class education and the extra-curricular activities and pastoral support that help them become young adults who are ready to make their mark in the world.
“This is a wonderful start to a new year and we look forward to building upon the successes already embedded in the school and to looking at further improvements and developments to ensure that we continue to be the first choice for parents looking for first class private independent education in this area.”
A copy of the full report is available on the school website www.derbygrammarschool.co.uk
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