Beechen Cliff School on Kipling Avenue in Bath has retained its Good Ofsted rating for boarding.
Beechen Cliff School in Bath | Image © Google Street View 2024
The school provides education for boys only from the age of 11 to 16 and has a mixed-gender sixth form.
Beechen Cliff School has a small boarding facility for up to 36 boys and there are currently 32 full-time boarders and six flexi-boarders.
Social care inspectors last visited four years ago. In their latest report, published last week following an inspection held in December, they said: “Respect and fairness exemplify the culture in this boarding provision. Boarders feel listened to, valued, and like that they have a say in their care.
“They feel boundaries are reasonable and that there are opportunities for consultation and change. This creates an environment they enjoy staying in.”
House parents ensure the boarding house is welcoming and homely and they support boarders with their academic work or university applications during prep time and encourage them to develop local friendships and spend time in the local community.
The report says that being able to board supports vulnerable pupils with their emotional wellbeing and attendance.
The inspectors also highlighted: “Work to inform boarders and to guard against misogyny and harmful sexual behaviour has been embraced.
“Some boarders have taken a lead on aspects of this work, cascading their learning to younger year groups across the school. As a result of this work, awareness has increased, as has the reporting of incidents.
“The actions taken by leaders in response helps to build a safer and more enriching environment for all. Leaders invite external speakers into school, complementing the work teachers complete around topics such as knife crime.”
Parents are said to be positive about their children boarding.
This school itself, which is part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, was rated as Good in an Ofsted report published in November.
