Sedbergh School Celebrates Glowing ISI Inspection Report
Boarding provision named a “significant strength” in wide-ranging praise from inspectors
Sedbergh School is proud to announce the outstanding findings of its recent full inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which took place between 29 April and 1 May 2025. The report confirms that Sedbergh meets all regulatory standards, with particular commendation for its boarding provision, pastoral care, educational quality and leadership.
Inspectors highlighted the school’s boarding environment as a “significant strength”, praising the warm, structured, and enriching experience provided to pupils. The report noted that boarders benefit from “high levels of pastoral care and academic support,” while enjoying refurbished houses, dedicated staff, and a rich co-curricular programme that builds both confidence and self-reliance.
Headmaster Mr Dan Harrison expressed his pride in the report’s findings: “I am immensely proud of the findings in this report, which capture the spirit, values and hard work of everyone within the Sedbergh School community. To be recognised as having a significant strength in our boarding provision is particularly noteworthy. Such accolades are not easily awarded and reflect the genuine depth and quality of our full boarding environment.”
The ISI inspectors also praised the school’s strong safeguarding culture, noting that “pupils feel safe, including online… and are confident to speak with safeguarding leaders.” Safeguarding and wellbeing are fully embedded in school life, supported by well-trained staff and a vigilant governing body.
Sedbergh’s core values of humility, ambition, resilience and kindness were seen to permeate every aspect of school life, with inspectors commenting: “Pupils are highly supportive of each other. They reflect the school’s values in their academic achievements, as well as in music, sport and the resilience that they show in their adventure activities.”
The school’s leadership and governance were described as effective and closely connected to school life. Teachers were recognised for their subject knowledge and adaptive teaching methods, particularly in supporting pupils with SEND.
In terms of the educational experience, Sedbergh’s innovative curriculum, highlighted by its unique Year 9 “9 Inspire” programme, was praised for empowering pupils to be ambitious and preparing them for academic and personal success.
Further commendations included:
- “Lessons are thoughtfully structured… Teachers provide regular feedback and encourage collaboration.”
- “Pupils’ resilience is promoted through an extensive range of sporting and co-curricular activities.”
- “Over 200 trips each year deepen and broaden the curriculum.”
The report also lauded the school’s emphasis on character development and service, with pupils demonstrating strong leadership and social awareness through initiatives like “Sedbergh Gives Back.”
“Pupils have strong regard for the importance of service to their houses, their school and the local community,” the report states.
Mr Harrison concluded: “I am especially proud that the inspectors recognised how fully we live the values of Sedbergh. As one of the few remaining full boarding schools in the UK, our model offers structure, belonging and opportunity, things that matter now more than ever.”
The full ISI report is available to view at – https://sedberghschool.org/senior/our-school/policies-and-inspection-reports/2025-isi-inspection-report/