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St Dunstan’s College, is delighted to announce the findings of its latest inspection from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, carried out in April 2024.

St Dunstan’s is believed to be the first school in the country to receive two significant strengths as part of its inspection. This is an outstanding achievement.

Speaking about the report, St Dunstan’s Head, Nick Hewlett, said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to share our new inspection report with our community.

‘We are one of the first schools in the whole country to receive two significant strengths, and I am delighted they recognise both our broad, forward-thinking, renaissance education and how diversity is embedded and celebrated in everything we do at St Dunstan’s.

‘The report is testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of the whole community and I pay tribute to staff, students and our families who make St Dunstan’s such a special and unique place to be. We are truly an independent school like no other, and I am proud of our place within Lewisham and the sector.’

The report praised the broad and varied curriculums on offer to students at St Dunstan’s, explaining: ‘Leaders have put in place an ambitious, timetabled curriculum which provides extensive opportunities for pupils to acquire the broadest of learning experiences. Leaders have taken great care in the design of this multi-faceted programme which is included as part of the school day.

‘There are four separate strands; together these provide the full range of curriculum subjects, an extensive offering of broader learning experiences, a programme of teaching skills for the future and one that focuses on building pupils’ wellbeing and self-awareness. The breadth and relevance of this curriculum and leaders’ decision that all pupils participate in these opportunities, is a significant strength.’

The second ‘significant strength’ applauded the school’s dedication to celebrating diversity within the school.

‘The school’s ethos supports leaders in creating a strong community where diversity is celebrated,’ the report found. ‘This works through many facets of school life: through the curriculum, through the varied groups in school, led by pupils which celebrate diversity, and through producing events such as the annual St Dunstan’s festival. All these promote respect and understanding among the pupils for everyone in their own school and in the wider local community. This is a significant strength of the school.’

St Dunstan’s approach to learning was commended in the report, adding it prepares pupils for the future.

‘The school’s wide-ranging and imaginative curriculum offers a broad learning experience for all its pupils, developing their breadth of knowledge and understanding well.’

It adds: ‘Pupils develop their skills, self-understanding and aspiration. This approach prepares pupils very well for their future lives.’

The report also praised the St Dunstan’s Diapason which aims to promote and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion at the College.

‘There is a whole-school ethos and culture of promoting respect, kindness and tolerance amongst its pupils and staff. The school’s leaders have established an approach which focuses on race, sex and gender, sexual orientation, religion and belief and disability and ensures that appropriate representation and respect is allocated to all,’ the report explains.

‘This programme gives opportunities for pupils to champion and raise awareness of different characteristics, and promote respect for all in the community. The pupils’ contribution is a crucial element of this programme. Pupils lead the way with their initiatives, such as their college parliament and the organisation of the annual festival that celebrates identity and achievement and involves the local community. The result is a thoughtful school community of genuine diversity, driven by a joint approach from staff and pupils.’

St Dunstan’s leadership was also praised in the report: ‘Governors and school leaders have a clear vision of what they want the school to be like. They maintain a consistent focus on the school’s five core values of courage, creativity, confidence, compassion and curiosity, within an inclusive and challenging environment. Leaders work successfully to create a school community that works together well to promote the wellbeing of pupils.’

The inspection report comes at an exciting time for St Dunstan’s. This summer, the College celebrated its best A Level and GCSE results in its 136-year history. 88% of all A Level grades achieved were A*- B with an outstanding 61% being A - A* and 27% being A*.

Following the historic results, 97% of the cohort will be heading to their chosen destination, which includes 100% success for students holding an offer for Oxbridge, medicine, music conservatoires, art foundation or drama school. Meanwhile, Year 11 students also achieved record-breaking results in their summer examinations. 90% of all GCSE grades were 9-6, equivalent to A*-B, with an exceptional 78% being 9-7, which is A*- A, and 53% 9-8, which is the former A*. 

Speaking about the results, Nick Hewlett said: ‘These outcomes truly showcase the St Dunstan’s difference and demonstrate that it is perfectly possible to achieve exceptional academic results within the framework of a liberal, progressive and Renaissance curriculum – one that is bold, ambitious and champions individuality.’ 

Earlier this year, the College was named Most Progressive School in south-east England at the Private Education Awards and in 2022, was named Independent Senior School of the Year at the Tes Schools Awards, which are known as the Oscars of education.

St Dunstan’s Open Day will take place on Saturday 21 September 2024, 9.00am – 3.00pm and Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 2 October, 6.00pm – 8.00pm.

Book our Open Day here

Read the full ISI inspection Report here