The inspectors make judgements on different aspects of a school including the quality of education, the quality of care and relationships and the effectiveness of management.  In the nine different areas that the inspection covered, the school received the top rating of excellent or its equivalent word outstanding in seven of them; the other two were good. 

In summary, the inspectors described  Eastbourne College as a school that gives its pupils ‘an excellent range and quality of education ‘and say ‘it succeeds in offering a full boarding experience to all pupils, boarding and day.  They concluded the following:

• By giving its pupils a coherent, full and challenging boarding education, Eastbourne College amply fulfils its principal aim. 
• Its day pupils, as much as its boarders, make the most of all that the school offers. It is, as it sets out to be, a happy and inspiring community that successfully emphasises the key values for which it stands
• Teachers wholeheartedly support the three strands of the curriculum for which the school stands. They play a full part in teaching a broad and successful range of academic subjects; they contribute unstintingly to the co-curricular programme; and they are wholly committed to the unseen curriculum, the well-being and personal development of their pupils. 
• The pupils achieve academic results that are good, and sometimes outstandingly good, in relation to their ability. 
• Pupils develop values and standards that are exceptional among young people, and they display a purpose and maturity that does them great credit.  They appreciate the support that they receive, they applaud the efforts and achievements of their fellow pupils, and they are quietly proud of their school, which maintains excellent links with both parents and the wider community.
• Since the last inspection:
•  The school has consolidated its position and enhanced its reputation. 
• It has improved its facilities, and has refined its policies and structures. 
• It has increased its numbers, and it has sustained boarding in particular.
• Boys now achieve results that are as good as those of the girls. 
• In the last three years, the school has seen many staffing changes.  Senior staff are capable, they are quickly growing into their new responsibilities, and they have begun to work effectively and corporately.  Self-critical, they are keen to raise standards in all areas yet further. 
• The school has made progress towards the appointment of female staff to key posts, heads of department and housemistresses in particular. 
• It now provides good careers guidance. 
• Through the newly introduced life and learning course, it offers pupils in Years 10 and 11 a fuller course of PSHE and RS. 
• The school meets all its regulatory requirements

 I feel that this is a very positive report that reflects very well on the College as a community and on the relationships within it’.  I am delighted that the inspecting team had identified that the school does not distinguish between boarding and day pupils and  that it achieves its aim of creating a community centred on key values of pursuit of excellence, participation, courtesy, integrity and kindness.  ‘The school succeeds in providing a coherent and excellent co-educational boarding experience for boys and girls, boarders and day pupils. Eastbourne College is a happy and inspiring community that successfully emphasises the key values for which it stands’.

I hope that you will find it interesting and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.

ISI Inspection Report Sept 2008.pdf

Ofsted Report 09.pdf