College Life : Boarding OUTSTANDING OFSTED BOARDING REPORT JULY 2011 The headmaster was delighted to announce in his end of year Speech that the provision for girls and boys who are boarding students has been judged “outstanding” and ‘of exceptionally high quality’, following an Ofsted inspection, carried out at the end of June. The Ofsted inspection team spent three days in the College. The team observed the daily routine, and spoke to many of the 140 students, who are boarders in the school of 570 girls and boys aged from 11-18. They sought the views of parents and also interviewed teachers and support staff including catering and medical staff at the College. In a detailed report, the inspection team recorded their findings. They wrote that ‘All boarders are valued and supported by effective and sensitive pastoral care’, and ‘boarders receive outstanding personal support from staff’. They confirmed that “boarders’ health and welfare needs are being actively promoted through established and effective services”. The report includes quotations from boys and girls. They include ‘staff really care and are great at challenging us to make a difference in the world’ and ‘catering staff are great and they work really hard,’ One boarder said: ‘I could not be at a better school, we have a great time and there are fantastic facilities here. There is no better place to board than Denstone.’ In the summary of their report, the Ofsted inspection team said: ‘The management of the boarding provision is very effective with skilled, experienced, and dedicated boarding staff, and, as a result, the college is providing an outstanding service to its boarders'. This is summed up by the parent who said “of all the schools we considered, it was the boarding arrangements at Denstone that set it apart from the others. Quite simply, superb!” Headmaster David Derbyshire said: ‘We are delighted by this Ofsted report, which confirms the effectiveness of our boarding arrangements at the College. Our aim is to ensure that all our girls and boys feel positive and confident. I am particularly pleased that the hard work of our support staff, the catering, domestic, and maintenance teams and our medical staff has been recognised in this report.’ The full Ofsted report is available here:  2011 Ofsted Boarding Report The general welfare of our boarders is of paramount importance and our boarding staff are attentive to the needs of individuals and nurture the development of a caring, friendly, vibrant and sensibly disciplined family environment in which our boarders can thrive. Our aim is to provide a homely atmosphere which allows the pupils to make friends and also to establish their own identity.  Boarding allows pupils to get even more out of life at Denstone College and helps to develop essential life-skills; independence, self-reliance and the ability to live in a community, all of which prepares them for life at university. Boarding at Denstone is a rich educational experience which is based on the following boarding Principles - All pupils have the right to pursue Happiness, Confidence and Achievement   The development of the whole person and the communication of values are vital   Being an open and honest school, boarding is based on mutual respect for each other   Each boarder has the right to be able to work, play and relax free from abuse, intimidation, harassment, teasing and bullying   There is equality of opportunity and respect for all boarders, regardless of ethnicity, culture, gender or disability   Each boarder and each member of staff is to be treated as an indivual and with respect by others   Living in a community, staff and boarders respect the right of each other to privacy   Each boarder has the right to extend their intellectual growth in an atmosphere of positive encouragement and in conditions that are conducive to work   All boarders should be able to develop spiritually, culturally, morally and socially   Links with parents are seen as an important part of the support and development of boarders at Denstone College. Heart of the School Boarding is central to life at Denstone and the boarders are at the heart of the college, whose presence anchors the social and cultural fabric of the school. The hallmark of boarding is the provision of a safe, caring and friendly environment offering a wealth of opportunity for personal development. The college operates as a small community with all residential staff helping to provide a positive environment for the nurture of individual students. Boarders at Denstone are happy, healthy and trusting of each other and the staff. Relationships are based on openness, trust and respect. Parents are also an integral part of our community and are always welcome to visit and attend the many college functions. Boarding at Denstone offers great flexibility, supporting both the demands of the modern day and work commitments; ensuring that school and family life can fit together. The key is in taking the best aspects of full and flexi boarding and tailoring them to individual needs of your child and your family. Three School Structure Our aim is to provide a homely atmosphere. Boarding at Denstone is particularly successful because of the three school structure which enables our boarders to enjoy an atmosphere appropriate to their needs. We recognise that the needs of an 11 year old are very different to those of an 18 year old, so each school has its own space and atmosphere where facilities and activities are tailored to the boarders’ ages and interests. Life in the junior school is characterised by close support, understanding and the freedom to have fun. The Middle School offers a more mature environment where enjoyment is still a key factor but there is a strong focus on GCSE preparation. The Senior School continues this natural progression of social life and study and is an excellent bridge between school and university. We have recently opened a new sixth form girls' house which offers a real taste of independent living.   Home from Home We provide comfortable accommodation within a family community, with round the clock supervision and support by friendly professional staff and on site 24 hour medical care. There is structured evening study to establish good work habits in preparation for the autonomy required at university. Boarders develop a greater degree of self reliance and enjoy the benefit of having staff and classmates on hand to help with homework. Additionally, boarders have extended use of the superb facilities including: the library; computer rooms; art block; music school and sports facilities (including the squash courts, weights room, swimming pool, sports hall, astro turfs) and over 100 acres of grounds, thus ensuring that our boarders have the best environment in Staffordshire in which to expend their energy! There are also scheduled weekend trips and activities from “Ready Steady Cook” competitions to meals at restaurants and visits to Alton Towers. Space to grow In a supportive environment our boarders can balance structure and routine with the freedom to explore and develop individually and the qualities this fosters will stay with them for life. Boarding life is also characterised by the formation of enduring friendships. Our pupils share each others’ joys, successes and disappointments and are challenged to appreciate the strengths and individuality of others as they establish their own personal goals and visions for the future. The boarding lifestyle represents an integrated and comprehensive package of education of the highest standard together with excellent pastoral care. Whatever their background (overseas or throughout the UK), boarders encapsulate the Denstone sprit of friendship, shared commitment and drive for success. For more specific information on each of the age ranges and to see what some of our pupils say about boarding, please click on the links below: Girls' Boarding Junior School Middle School Senior School  Boarders and their parents are able to call Ofsted on 08456 404040 or Julie Astall the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 01785 278958 regarding any complaint concerning pupils’ welfare.