Dallam School receives 'good' OFSTED inspection

The school has been upgraded from 'requires improvement' to 'good,' but inspectors only looked at social care provision when they paid an unplanned visit from January 30 to February 1 2024.

It received its 'requires improvement' rating from an OFSTED visit in March 2023 representing a turn-around for the school in the eyes of the inspectors. 

Some aspects of the school, such as its medical facilities, have 'significantly improved', the latest report states. 

The inspector wrote: "The boarding school provides effective services that meet the requirements for good." 

The school has 1,002 students on roll. 140 boarders can be accommodated at the school. At the time of the inspection, 69 students were boarding, of which 25 were exchange students. 

Dallam boarding school from the air (Image: Dallam School)

"Overall, children speak positively about their experience of living at the school. They told inspectors that they also have positive relationships with individual staff, who they can speak to if they have any worries or concerns. One child said, 'the best thing is the staff, they are caring and helpful,'" the report said.

However, the report said the school does not meet a national minimum standard for boarding schools regarding providing 'clear and easily accessible systems' for boarders to provide their views and raise concerns. 

READ MORE: Dallam School in Milnthorpe welcomes new head of boarding

Nicola Gilbert is the new head of boarding. She started her job in September last year after the previous OFSTED.

She said: “We listen to the feedback from the children, which helps us to shape the boarding experience here at Dallam.

"Our boarding offer brings a unique global dimension where students from as far away as Spain and China learn alongside local pupils and form lifelong friendships.

“We are ambitious both in terms of our boarding numbers and in the commitment we give to pastoral and academic matters. Our weekly and termly boarders continue to enjoy a wide range of engaging and exciting activities.”

Headteacher Steve Henneberry said: "The grading reflects the ongoing, exciting and ambitious improvement journey seen for Dallam School as a whole. We welcome visits from any prospective parents and children, to see for themselves the school, sixth form and boarding house.”