2023 was always set to be a special year for members of the community at St George’s School, Ascot, as it marks 100 years of excellence in girls’ education, further to the purchase of the school by Miss Anne Loveday in 1923. Prior to this the school had been both a boys prep school and then a finishing school and this was the start of the modern, progressive educational establishment for girls that we know today. The 1920s, following on from World War 1 were a time of enormous change for girls and women both in terms of their status in society, their accessibility to education and work, and the perceived value they brought to the world. St George's was later recognised by the Department for Education, in 1927, and thus began the educational journey that we continue to this day.
The pupils, staff and governors were delighted to start this momentous year by receiving an outstanding endorsement from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) following its inspection of the school in November 2022. Inspectors found St George’s to be fully compliant with all regulations, and in both areas of the educational quality inspection, ‘pupils’ academic and other achievements’ and ‘pupils’ personal development’ the school was awarded the highest grade of ‘excellent’. Head Liz Hewer reflects:
I am delighted that we were awarded the highest category of 'excellent' in both categories for Educational Quality. The report is a testament to our pupils of whom I am very proud, as well as the staff, parents, governors and alumnae, who all work together to make St George’s Ascot the school I am privileged to lead. The values of community, kindness, hard work, support and integrity shine through in this report and it is an impressive reminder of all the excellent work we do in and outside of school.
Liz Hewer, Head
The academic excellence offered to Georgians was reflected by the Inspectors stating:
Pupils make excellent progress throughout the school, achieving results at GCSE and A level which are well above the national average,” and highlighted “Pupils’ positive attitudes towards learning are a striking feature of the school.
St George's Ascot ISI Report, November 2022
As Liz Hewer frequently reminds pupils, parents and alumnae St George’s is also a place to explore, take on new experiences and opportunities and balance academic achievement with a comprehensive range of co-curricular activities. Inspectors commented:
Pupils’ achievements in co-curricular activities are extensive; [they] achieve well across all areas of the curriculum and particularly in the creative subjects.
St George's Ascot ISI Report, November 2022
Perhaps most significantly, the inspectors highlighted the willingness of pupils to collaborate with fellow pupils who have different strengths and talents and recognised the high degree of inclusivity and the ability of pupils to get along with each other. They noted pupils are:
... highly confident, combining healthy self-knowledge, first-class social skills and an awareness of the world around them.
St George's Ascot ISI Report, November 2022
As St George’s looks ahead to a year celebrating excellence in girls’ education, we are committed to advancing girls’ education to enable them to make informed decisions about their pathways beyond age 18. Pupils become more Confident, Capable and Connected as a result of their senior school years at St George’s Ascot.
ISI focused compliance and Educational Quality Inspection Report November 2022