Shropshire boarding school given 'outstanding' rating

Adams House Boarding, based in Thomas Adams School in Wem, has been given an ‘outstanding’ rating following a recent inspection by the education watchdog.

Praise was heaped on the staff who were said to be ‘passionate, dynamic and always child-centred’.

A report, published following the inspection, said staff are ‘excellent role models to young people’.

Read the full Ofsted report here

It continued: “The boarding staff team is dedicated and goes that extra mile to enhance the experiences and future opportunities of young people.

“The boarding staff team is experienced and professional. Its continuing professional development, both as a team and as individuals, raises the quality of practice across the whole school.

“All new young people, regardless of their age, cultural background or country of origin receive a comprehensive induction.

“They all receive a warm and inclusive welcome from everyone and quickly feel part of the boarding and wider school community. This sensitive and caring approach is indicative of the ethos of the boarding staff team.

“Young people are positively encouraged to make the most of both their social and educational opportunities. This helps them become active members of the school and their boarding house. It also helps them settle in very quickly.”

The report also said that outcomes for the pupils were ‘outstanding’.

It states: “Young people thoroughly enjoy boarding and are proud of their excellent personal achievements.

“Young people have a highly inclusive, yet individualised and well-planned boarding experience that enables them to make significant strides in their educational, personal, and social development.

"They enjoy their boarding experience, are proud of their contribution to it and their achievements, and have exceptionally positive relationships with boarding staff.

“Young people develop self-esteem, self-worth and become confident individuals.

“Young people experience a wide range of new opportunities, activities and experiences influenced by ideas gathered from the boarding community. The risk of harm or bullying to any young person is minimised effectively by an extensive number of proactive initiatives embraced by boarding staff.”

Adams House is a co-educational boarding house for young people between the ages of 11 and 19.

Nicki Cooper, head of boarding, said: “We are over the moon with the rating. We last had an Ofsted report three years ago and we were rated ‘good’ with some areas ‘outstanding’.

“Our aim was to get outstanding at the next inspection – which we have done and we are so pleased.

“Since the last inspection we have done lots of refurbishment on our buildings and staff have completed more training.

“We are all very happy with the glowing comments we have received.”