Boarders at a Cumbrian school are well cared for and make good academic progress, the education watchdog said.
Ofsted inspectors visited Dallam School in Milnthorpe in May and published their report about its boarding provision this week.
Part of the South Westmorland Academy Trust, the school has a total of 753 students. It has provision for 139 boarders and at the time of the inspection, there were 39 boarders at the school.
Inspectors judged Dallam School’s boarding provision to be good in all areas, recognising improvements made since their last visit in January 2024.
Boarders at Dallam School enjoy a positive boarding experience, feel safe, make good academic progress and benefit from strong pastoral support, the report said.
During the inspection, boarders spoke positively about life in the boarding house, saying they have trusted adults to turn to if they have worries or concerns and that friendships are a key aspect of their experience.
Inspectors also noted that students are listened to, have opportunities to shape decisions, and benefit from experiences that help them develop new skills and engage with the wider community, from football academy studies to taking part in events like parkrun.
House parents were praised for acting in the best interests of young people.
The report also highlighted that:
- Young people work hard during prep sessions and achieve good academic outcomes.
- Parents speak positively about the boarding provision, with one parent saying: ‘It has given my child the independence we wanted in a safe and structured environment’.
- Boarding students develop socially and mature through their experiences at Dallam.
However, the report added that the school should make sure arrangements were made to safeguard and promote welfare of pupils at the school so it met the national minimum standard for boarding schools.
The report recommended:
- School leaders should ensure that they identify at least one person other than a parent, outside the staff, and those responsible for the leadership and governance
of the school, who children may contact directly about personal problems or concerns at the school. - School leaders should ensure that the school has and consistently implements a written policy to promote good behaviour among pupils, including boarders.
Headteacher Steven Henneberry said: “We are delighted that Ofsted has recognised the strength of our boarding provision and the dedication of our staff and students.
“Our boarding house is a vibrant, supportive community where young people feel they belong, developing confidence, independence and resilience while thriving both academically and socially.
“Our boarders bring a unique dimension to school life. They make Dallam a truly international and inclusive community. We will continue to build on this success, ensuring our boarders enjoy exceptional pastoral care, strong academic support and a wide range of enriching opportunities.
“Coming just weeks after Ofsted recognised the positive progress being made across the wider school, this judgement reflects our aim of ensuring every young person can truly belong here, learn here and thrive here.”
