Marlborough School

Overview

Marlborough School provides a high-quality education characterised by a "highly inclusive culture" and strong early years provision. The report highlights that pupils enjoy their learning, feel safe, and achieve well in core subjects, with attendance above the national average. While most aspects of the school meet or exceed expected standards, the curriculum in wider subjects requires refinement to better prepare pupils for secondary school.

Strengths

• Early years provision is rated at a "Strong standard," with leaders being "relentless" in adapting learning to ensure children get "exactly what they need."
• The school fosters a "highly inclusive culture" where staff skilfully adapt teaching to help all pupils, including those with special educational needs, "thrive and achieve success."
• Personal development is "impressive," featuring a comprehensive PSHE curriculum and effective pupil leadership roles that build "confidence, resilience" and high aspirations.
• Attendance is "above national average" and persistent absence is below national averages, reflecting leaders’ sensitive work with families.
• Pupils demonstrate "positive attitudes towards school" and trust staff to manage behaviour and bullying "promptly and effectively."

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure learning across the wider curriculum prepares pupils well for the "rigour of the subject-specific secondary curriculum," as some currently lack security in subject-specific knowledge.
• Leaders should continue to develop staff consistency in their roles to sustain the school’s "ambitious vision" and high expectations.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.