AN INSPECTION at an independent prep school has concluded their personal development is “excellent”.

The recent inspection of St Martin’s Ampleforth, the preparatory school for Ampleforth College, found pupils' academic attainment and other achievements were “good” and boys and girls in its care “exhibited positive attitudes towards learning” with an eagerness to extend their knowledge and understanding.

The report, by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) also praised the pupils’ personal development, stating they were “confident, articulate and sensitive communicators” who were “positive in their support of and contribution to the lives of others around them” and said they display a “great respect” for their own and others’ cultures.

It also noted the school succeeded in its aims to value learning and the pursuit of truth.

At the same time, a Focused Compliance Inspection for schools with residential provision was carried out and found the school met all the statutory regulations on safeguarding, measures to guard against bullying, arrangements to check suitability of staff, handling of parents’ complaints and other aspects of leadership and management.

It was the first inspection since Dr David Moses took up the post of headmaster in September 2016.

He said: “I am particularly proud of the recognition of the excellent personal development that we provide here at the Prep School. St Martin’s Ampleforth is a place where each and every child feels safe and secure, and recognised as an individual, in line with the Benedictine principles that guide us.”

The school said it will now continue to build upon the excellent planning and teaching that was observed in the best lessons during the inspection and also develop further the pupils’ use of high-order study skills and encourage more opportunities for independent research, which was recommended in the report.