Dear Alumnae and friends of Channing,

At the end of the last academic year Channing underwent an ISI inspection and I am delighted to be able to share with you the fabulous news that the quality of education at Channing has been deemed excellent once again.

Not only has the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements been graded as excellent but also the quality of their personal development.  In addition, we are fully compliant with all statutory regulations.

It is particularly gratifying to see our emphasis on Fearless Learners, our Unitarian ethos of free thinking, acceptance and inclusivity, and our belief in respect and understanding and in individual and social responsibility coming through on every page of the inspection report, which you can read HERE.  Some of my favourite comments include:

• Pupils of all abilities achieve high academic standards. They make fast progress over time from their individual starting points, reflecting the school’s successful aim to inspire pupils to develop scholarship and enjoy success.
• The development of pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding is excellent, underpinned by the school’s commitment to offering an education of breadth.   
• The school successfully meets its ambition to empower pupils to become independent thinkers and fearless learners.
• Pupils develop high levels of self-understanding and self-confidence within an environment that fosters kindness and respect.
• Pupils accept others for who they are, respect diversity and appreciate the richness different cultures and traditions bring.
• Pupils’ social skills are highly developed, actively encouraged by the openness of the school’s culture. They work intuitively together in groups, teams and ensembles towards common goals. From their first days in the school, pupils form mutually supportive and respectful friendships.
• The way in which pupils contribute willingly to the school and wider community is outstanding. They are socially aware and keen to support those less fortunate than themselves, reflecting the school’s successful fulfilment of its aim to inspire altruism as well as individual and social responsibility.

We received only one recommendation in the report, which was to enable pupils to feel confident to communicate any concerns at school.  My senior team and I have already started work on this important aspect of school life, including through discussions with the School Council in both the Junior and Senior School in the second half of the summer term.

I would like to thank our extraordinary and tirelessly committed staff and Governors for the unwavering support that they have shown to our students, helping them navigate the stresses and strains of post-pandemic life.  My thanks to you, our fantastic parents, for everything you do to support us and, of course, your children.  Your responses to the ISI questionnaire were invaluable in helping the inspectors reach their judgements.  And last but not least my congratulations to the fabulous Channing pupils, who live the Channing values every day and make this such a wonderful and special school.  I am delighted that the inspectors recognised this so clearly: thank you all.

 With warmest wishes,

Mrs Lindsey Hughes

Headmistress and Alumnae Association President