ISI Inspection Highly Praises The Mount for its ‘Calm and Respectful Culture’

The Mount School is delighted to have successfully passed an Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Inspection in April 2026 with the school judged to have ‘fully met the standards in every area’. With The Mount’s pastoral care and community spirit commended.

The Mount School, was judged to be a ‘supportive environment’ in which ‘pupils demonstrate well developed self-knowledge, self-confidence and self-esteem, within the caring school community.’ Inspectors further noted a ‘calm and respectful culture in which pupils engage positively in school life.’ 

Inspected in April, the Quaker independent day and boarding school was evaluated on its entire age 3–18 educational offering (co-ed Prep School & all girls Senior School). The report, published this week, follows a framework that examines standards across five key areas: 

• leadership and management and governance
• the quality of education, training and recreation 
• pupils’ physical and mental health, and emotional well-being 
• pupils’ social and economic education, and contribution to society 
• safeguarding

A team of four inspectors visited the school over two and a half days; they observed lessons and scrutinised pupils’ work. During their inspection, they spoke with pupils, teachers, staff, senior leadership and members of the Governing Body. Inspectors attended assemblies and witnessed co-curricular activities. Alongside this, they examined the premises and facilities, including the boarding house, as well as documentation and records. In addition, they reviewed the responses from questionnaires sent to parents, pupils and staff. 

Other key highlights recognised by the report include: 

• ‘Leaders promote a robust safeguarding culture. Safeguarding is effectively monitored and challenged by governors, who regularly review practice and scrutinise leaders’ decision-making.’ 
• ‘Leaders design and implement a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum’. . . ‘that is carefully planned to meet pupils’ needs’. . . ‘Teaching is adapted effectively, enabling pupils to make good progress.’   
• ‘Opportunities for leadership, sharing views and participation in a broad range of activities enable pupils to develop a sense of responsibility and respect for others, and to contribute positively to the school community.’ 
• ‘Effective careers guidance, including one-to-one mentoring’ . . . ‘helps pupils to understand their next steps and choose future education and career routes confidently.’ 

Head Anna Wilby, comments “We are so thrilled and proud to receive such a wonderful report from the ISI; it positively reinforces everything we do here at The Mount and reflects our unique Quaker ethos. The findings show that we are delivering on our commitment to provide a calm and caring environment, where an exceptional education not only inspires pupils’ academic learning, but also offers them a breadth of co-curricular opportunities and, importantly, fosters qualities of kindness, compassion and respect.”  

Anna continues, “We are especially proud to have our curriculum recognised as being ‘carefully planned to meet pupils’ needs and that ‘our teachers ‘provide challenge, informed by their knowledge of individual pupils’. One of the greatest benefits of our small but mighty school is our strong sense of community, where a bespoke curriculum empowers every pupil to strive for personal excellence.  

My thanks go to our exceptional pupils, our incredibly supportive parent body and the dedicated team of staff and governors here at The Mount. This successful inspection is a testament to our close whole-school community, and everyone has played a part in achieving this positive, well-deserved outcome.  

There is so much to celebrate at The Mount, this excellent inspection follows our glowing Good Schools Guide review and the Prep School being named Primary School of the Year 2026 in My Local Awards. We have welcomed new pupils across the whole school, and our numbers continue to grow for September. In a challenging climate, it is so rewarding to see families recognise and choose The Mount. Families are welcome to visit and see The Mount’s unique offering for themselves.” 

A copy of the report is available to read here.  

The ISI is the Government-approved body responsible for the inspection of independent schools.  

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