ISI report

We are delighted with our recent inspection report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate which highlighted many of the key strengths of Brockhurst and Marlston House schools:

Brockhurst and Marlston Schools – October 2025

The Independent Schools Inspectorate conducted a comprehensive inspection of Brockhurst and Marlston Schools from 7 to 9 October 2025. The inspection found that all relevant Independent School Standards are met across all areas of school provision.

Leadership and Governance

• Strong collaborative leadership: The proprietors and school leaders work effectively together, prioritising pupils’ wellbeing whilst ensuring the school’s core values of kindness, respect and inclusivity remain deeply embedded throughout the community.
• Effective oversight and planning: Leaders demonstrate a precise understanding of the school’s effectiveness and maintain ambitious plans for continuous improvement. The small advisory board and external specialists provide valuable insight and support.
• Comprehensive provision: Leaders ensure consistently high-quality education and provision for all pupils across the school, including those in the diamond-model structure with planned single-sex teaching arrangements.

Quality of Education

• Broad and ambitious curriculum: The school provides an extensive curriculum alongside a comprehensive extra-curricular programme that effectively supports pupils’ learning and enables them to pursue individual interests. Pupils achieve well across all areas and are thoroughly prepared for their next educational stage, including entrance to highly selective secondary schools.
• Strong early years foundation: The youngest children make an excellent start to their education, benefiting from skilful staff who provide outstanding care, encouragement and carefully planned activities using high-quality resources.
• Effective teaching: Teachers are typically knowledgeable, enthusiastic and supportive, planning lessons that engage and motivate pupils effectively. Teaching for the oldest pupils (Years 7 and 8) is particularly strong, with teachers demonstrating excellent subject knowledge and providing appropriately challenging work.
• Excellent support for diverse needs: Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with education, health and care plans, make good progress through well-targeted support. Pupils who speak English as an additional language (EAL) receive effective provision enabling them to progress in line with their peers.

Pupils’ Wellbeing and Development

• Outstanding personal development: Pupils develop high levels of confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness. They collaborate exceptionally well with each other and their teachers, demonstrating mature social skills and positive relationships throughout the school community.
• Exemplary behaviour: Standards of behaviour across the school are consistently high. Pupils show respect for each other and for those of different backgrounds and opinions, preparing them thoroughly for life in modern Britain.
• Comprehensive wellbeing support: The school provides thoughtfully embedded emotional and mental health provision, including mindfulness sessions, yoga, pastoral interventions and access to a qualified counsellor. Leaders monitor pupils’ wellbeing closely and respond effectively to emerging needs.
• Outstanding boarding provision: High-quality boarding care is central to the school’s ethos. Boarding houses are comfortable, well-maintained and provide a stimulating environment. Boarding staff are highly skilled in supporting pupils’ personal development, creating a strong sense of community for all boarders.
• Excellent physical education programme: The inclusive and extensive sports curriculum effectively promotes pupils’ enjoyment, physical development and wellbeing. Pupils achieve notable success in regional and national competitions.
• Outstanding extracurricular programme: The school offers an exceptional range of extracurricular activities in its ‘Activity Programme’ enabling pupils to explore their potential and develop their interests.

Safeguarding

• Robust safeguarding culture: The school maintains a strong safeguarding culture with comprehensive policies and procedures. Staff receive appropriate training and understand their responsibilities fully.
• Effective safeguarding leadership: Safeguarding leaders respond swiftly and appropriately to concerns, liaising effectively with external agencies when required. All recruitment checks are completed thoroughly in line with statutory requirements.
• Pupils feel safe: Pupils, including boarders, are confident in reporting concerns and trust staff to respond effectively. They receive comprehensive teaching on keeping safe, including online safety.