At Ghyll Royd School and Pre-School, we take great pride in the high standards we uphold across all areas of school life. This commitment is reflected in the outcomes of our inspections by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the regulatory body for independent schools in the UK. The feedback we’ve received over recent years highlights not only the strength of our teaching and care but also the strong sense of community and support that exists between pupils, staff and parents.
Inspection Reports
“Leaders set out the school’s aims clearly and take actions designed to create an environment in which each pupil is valued.” – ISI, Sept 2025
Lessons were found to be ‘creative’, ‘well-planned’ and ‘engaging’, and inspectors remarked that pupils are supported “…to take their learning beyond the national curriculum expectations.”
Our extensive range of extra-curricular activities were also noted as a real strength of the school, reporting that pupils “…develop enthusiasm…” across a broad spectrum which “…enable pupils to acquire new interests and develop their skills successfully.”
As a result of all that we do, the inspectors found that our pupils achieve academic outcomes that are above those ordinarily predicted, based upon their starting points.
“Lessons support pupils in managing their physical and mental wellbeing. Carefully planned lessons teach pupils about healthy eating and managing risks. Pupils learn how to control their feelings and to understand the positive connections between physical and mental wellbeing.” – ISI, Sept 2025
October 2022 – Educational Quality and Compliance Inspection (New Framework)
We are absolutely delighted to share that Ghyll Royd was judged ‘Excellent’ across the board – the highest possible rating and equivalent to ‘Outstanding’ in Ofsted terms.
The inspectors praised the exceptional progress made since our last inspection, recognising the dedication and hard work of our entire team. We encourage all prospective and current families to read the full report, as it captures the warm, nurturing and high-achieving environment we provide.
Previous Reports
March 2019 Compliance Inspection (Progress Monitoring Visit)
This inspection focused solely on whether the school met all the regulatory requirements. We are pleased to report that all standards were met.
A huge thank you to the many parents who completed the inspection questionnaire. Results showed over 90% satisfaction across all categories, reflecting the strong partnership between home and school. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we continue to build on this progress to enhance every child’s experience at Ghyll Royd.
Feb 2018 Regulatory Compliance Inspection
Feb 2015 Integrated Inspection (Educational Quality and Compliance)
This comprehensive inspection highlighted many areas of excellence at Ghyll Royd. Inspectors were impressed by our pupils’:
- Positive attitudes to learning, motivation, and exemplary behaviour
- Confidence in communication, ability to listen attentively, and strong literacy skills
- Excellent personal and social development, with consistently courteous and respectful behaviour
The inspectors assessed our Safeguarding and Health and Safety to be excellent. One inspector commented that ‘Ghyll Royd has some of the best systems I have seen’.
Parents played a key role in this inspection, with inspectors commenting that responses to the parent questionnaire were “overwhelmingly positive” and showed a high level of support for the school.
Our broad, enriching curriculum, designed to challenge and support children of all abilities, was recognised for stretching gifted and talented pupils and providing additional support where needed. Teaching was described as “good and sometimes outstanding,” with enjoyment at the heart of every lesson.
Inspectors concluded that Ghyll Royd offers an “excellent range of activities” and that pastoral care is “exceptional,” with teachers knowing their pupils well and using effective strategies to bring out their best.
We remain committed to continuous improvement and are immensely proud of how far we’ve come. Our next inspection will be another opportunity to showcase the unique, nurturing and high-achieving environment we offer.
If you’d like to learn more about any of our inspection reports or discuss them in person, we would be delighted to welcome you into Ghyll Royd and to talk with you during your visit.
