Setting

Education and boarding inspection summary: Wymondham College 10-12 October 2023 Education and boarding inspection summary for Wymondham College Golf Links Road, Morley, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 9SZ

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Outcome

The education overall effectiveness judgement is: outstanding

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Outcome

The judgement for the experiences and progress of children in the boarding provision is: outstanding

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What is it like to attend this school?

At Wymondham College there is a palpable sense of aspiration. Pupils from all contexts flourish. Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get excellent support. Pupils new to the school or sixth form immediately understand and engage with the ethos. Consequently, they do exceptionally well.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils benefit from a high-quality curriculum. From the start of key stage 3 they rapidly build up what they know. Students in the sixth form go onto ambitious destinations. Pupils articulate a rich understanding of their subjects.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Expectations for behaviour are high and established throughout the school. Older pupils model responsible conduct for younger ones. Boarders and day pupils alike live and breathe the school’s values of pride, passion and positivity. They show considerable enthusiasm for learning. Respect and kindness are embedded in the safe culture. In all year groups, pupils are courteous and confident.

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What is it like to attend this school?

There is a huge range of opportunities. Pupils enthuse about the quality of these. There are clubs for all, such as in music, debating, martial arts and gardening. Pupils compete at high-level sporting events. They start and run many of the enrichment activities. Pupils espouse the multiple leadership positions and charity events. This helps them develop deep character strengths.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The inspectors did not make any recommendations to help the school improve.

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What is it like to board at this school?

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding 2Education and boarding inspection summary: Wymondham College 10-12 October 2023 Children speak with total positivity about their experiences of boarding. They have an extremely strong sense of belonging and community. They say that their experiences have significantly helped them to develop their social, emotional and self- determination skills. Children say that boarding adds exceptional value to their education as well as their social life.

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What is it like to board at this school?

Children’s academic progress is impressive. Their academic grades exceed the national average. The education provision for children with special educational needs is exceptional. A parent said that staff provide excellent support for children with SEND. Another parent said that, without the school, her child would not be in mainstream education and would not have the opportunity to thrive as they do currently.

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What is it like to board at this school?

Children benefit from highly individualised support. The staff forge strong, trusting relationships with the children. Consequently, children feel safe. For some children, the strength of these relationships has led to them confiding in staff. This has resulted in significant improvements being made in children’s overall safety. Staff have nurtured a culture in which children are confident to speak out. Children are fully aware that staff will advocate for them and do all they can to support them while they are in their care.

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What is it like to board at this school?

Children who are new to boarding are welcomed sensitively. Welcome packs and open days ease children in gently to their respective boarding provisions. Meticulous consideration is given to the mix of children who share dormitories. Such careful planning reduces children’s anxieties. It enables them to settle quickly and begin to experience and enjoy all that the school has to offer.

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What is it like to board at this school?

Children and staff talk about their boarding houses as a ‘family’ and ‘community’. The children look out for each other, providing peer support. Older children act as mentors for younger children. Nurturing relationships between children help to develop their sense of belonging. The school has created a culture of a home away from home. Given the size of the boarding provision, this is an impressive feat.

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What is it like to board at this school?

Children have ample opportunities to express their views and influence day-to-day school life. Requests made by children have led to additional resources being provided, such as dedicated reading areas, adaptations to prep time and additional extra-curricular activities. Student council initiatives do well in representing the views of all children. Children are encouraged to use their skills in enterprise to organise and plan a variety of social events. Children plan formal evening events, such as dinner parties and themed nights.

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What is it like to board at this school?

Children benefit from an increasingly expanding range of opportunities and experiences. Some children visited Kenya spending time working at an orphanage and with disadvantaged communities. Staff work hard to ensure that there is equality of opportunity for children in terms of funding support. All children who want an opportunity to go on a fee-paying trip can do so by seeking funding from the school. 2Education and boarding inspection summary: Wymondham College 10-12 October 2023 Staff encourage children to take part in charitable events. Children have frequently been on walks to raise funds for animal and military charities. They have been involved in initiatives such as ‘Sprinting to Somalia’ and ‘March to Malawi’. The funds raised led to training for two midwives being paid for by the school. Children routinely take part in national and international charity projects. Locally, children have participated in beach litter collections and put food parcels together for those in

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What is it like to board at this school?

The school community is diverse. Children can mix with children from other backgrounds and cultures. This nurtures an increased understanding and appreciation of diversity.

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What is it like to board at this school?

Children have a range of exceptionally positive experiences. Children who can go home at weekends often choose to stay in boarding so that they can have fun, be with friends and take advantage of the exceptionally varied sporting activities on offer. Children participate in rowing, paddle boarding, horse riding, boxing, taekwondo and numerous other activities. The school is a vibrant, exciting place to live and study; a place where children absolutely flourish.

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What is it like to board at this school?

The school meets all the national minimum standards .

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What is it like to board at this school?

◼ View the full inspection report for the education provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/136481

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What is it like to board at this school?

◼ View the full inspection report for the boarding provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/1/sc055089 2Education and boarding inspection summary: Wymondham College 10-12 October 2023 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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What is it like to board at this school?

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What is it like to board at this school?

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What is it like to board at this school?

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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