STAFF at Sidcot School are celebrating after inspectors from the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) praised the school for its 'highly effective teaching'.

The independent school in Winscombe impressed inspectors in March who in a Education Quality Inspection report, published in May rated the quality of the students academic achievements as 'good' and the quality of pupil's personal development as 'excellent'

Iain Kilpatrick, headteacher of Sidcot School said: “It is hugely rewarding to receive such positive feedback from the inspectors and I am proud it is our students who particularly impressed during the inspection.

"Our Quaker values, which underpin all our teaching and learning here at Sidcot, shone through and were acknowledged as the golden thread which weaves throughout our school and is key to our academic excellence and outstanding pupil personal development which the inspectors described as excellent.'"

Inspectors also published a Compliance Inspection report in May and deemed the school to be fully compliant with National Education standards.

Pupils were praised by inspectors for their enthusiastic approach to learning and ‘highly developed sense of self'.

Mr Kilpatrick added: "Every aspect of school life was scrutinised by the inspectors and whether looking at our teaching standards, student performance, self-development or behaviour, we excelled. This was an excellent report from the ISI and one that our entire school community can be justifiably proud of."