Ratcliffe College is immensely proud to announce that the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) has confirmed that the College meets all the required Independent School Standards following its inspection in December 2025. This exceptional outcome stands as a powerful endorsement of Ratcliffe’s Catholic mission and ethos, its unwavering pursuit of academic and co-curricular excellence, and its deeply enriching, ‘high-quality’ boarding experience.
At the heart of the report is a clear recognition of the College’s steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of every pupil. Safeguarding is given the highest priority, with inspectors noting that pupils’ “mental health, emotional wellbeing, and self-esteem [are] very well supported.” Within this caring and attentive environment, pupils are empowered to find their voice, supported by strong pastoral systems that enable them to express themselves with confidence. They are guided to manage their emotions, build resilience, develop inner strength, and grow into confident, capable young people ready to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future.
Inspectors also affirmed that Ratcliffe’s leadership places the pastoral care and welfare of pupils at the very centre of College life. A thoughtfully designed curriculum and inspiring teaching ensure that pupils are fully engaged in their learning, demonstrating respect, curiosity, and a genuine enthusiasm for intellectual and personal growth. The report celebrates the College’s dedication to holistic formation, recognising that pupils develop a deep respect for one another, an appreciation of diversity, and a strong sense of their place within the wider world.
The inspection further highlights the exceptional quality of boarding at Ratcliffe, reflecting the College’s enduring commitment to providing a welcoming, nurturing, and family-centred home for pupils from across the UK and around the globe. Boarders form meaningful and lasting relationships with staff and one another, growing in independence within a safe, supportive, and values-driven community. The rich and varied boarding programme fosters both personal growth and joyful participation, encouraging pupils to pursue their interests, discover new talents, and flourish in every dimension of their lives.
Boarding has been integral to the Ratcliffe story since the College’s foundation in 1847, and it remains a vibrant and defining feature of the Ratcliffe experience today. This inspection report is not only a recognition of present excellence but also a celebration of a living tradition, one rooted in faith, inspired by purpose, and dedicated to nurturing generations of young people to realise their God-given potential and make a meaningful difference in the world.
Ratcliffe College Headmaster, Jonathan Reddin, commented,
“We are immensely proud of our ISI inspection report, which affirms the spirit of excellence that defines our College community. Its findings echo those of the Catholic Schools’ Inspectorate, where we were honoured to be recognised as an outstanding Catholic school. At the heart of all we do is our Catholic Rosminian ethos, which inspires us to nurture, guide, and empower each student to discover and fulfil their God-given talents, growing in confidence, character, and purpose.”
This inspection outcome celebrates Ratcliffe College’s continued dedication to excellence in education and British boarding, reinforcing its position as a leading independent Catholic day and boarding school.
View the full ISI Inspection Report (December 2025)
Experience Ratcliffe College - Open Morning for Prospective Families
We warmly invite prospective families to discover life across our Nursery, Prep, Senior School, and Sixth Form at Ratcliffe College Open Morning on Saturday 7th March. The College is still accepting applications for September 2026 and beyond.
Year 7 and 12 Taster Days
Prospective students entering Year 7 or Year 12 this September are invited to attend dedicated Taster Days, providing a first-hand experience of lessons, activities, and daily life at Ratcliffe College. These sessions offer a valuable opportunity to explore the school’s environment and campus, engage with staff, and begin forming new friendships.
