Ofsted FAQs

We submitted an action plan to Ofsted on 8 April 2022 and since then we have accomplished several of our identified goals, including:

• completed the first round of the K-12 social studies review with plans to embed new standards of historical knowledge and skills into the program
• ensuring that our expectations and resources emphasize the knowledge and skills expected of a top-flight literature and writing program in our English/language arts program
• Revised our ASL Teaching Standards to include the required political impartiality in the classroom 
• Planned professional development for teachers on embedding robust discussion and debate among all students, ensuring free expression of ideas
• Established a comprehensive process for reviewing and approving all resources used in the classroom, from books and articles to videos and texts, and formulated appropriate guidelines for visiting speakers
• Formed a working group of faculty and academic leaders to guide our transition away from the Social Justice Standards to the intercultural competency model that we will adopt from the Council of Europe—a model that ensures the instilling of democratic values in an international context 
• Created and delivered to the full faculty and staff the first of several trainings on political impartiality
• Conducted 192 classroom visits by principals and assistant principals to document that we are delivering subject-specific knowledge and skills, balanced teaching of political issues, opportunities for students to discuss and share different views.

Additionally, Coreen R. Hester, Interim Head of School 

• visited all Grade 12 advisory groups to talk about the state of ASL and measure how students feel about expressing their views in class
• conducted nearly 20 listening sessions with faculty members, and 
• held more than 50 listening sessions with parents, all of which have provided her with a sense of what the School is doing well and where we need to improve. 

Recently, to strengthen our plan Ofsted and the DfE have asked us to: 

• Spell out the process more clearly about how we will ensure that social justice issues are discussed with proportionality in the classroom
• Provide costs required to implement the action plan
• Provide names of persons tasked with implementation 
• Accelerate our implementation 

Our action plan will work to ensure we can achieve our goals of intercultural competency while meeting the independent school standards. We will be adopting the intercultural competency model from the Council of Europe, which focuses on the instilling of democratic values in an international context.

It has not done so. For example, our faculty recruitment remained very strong this year with 1200 applications for 10 teaching positions. 

We don’t want to speculate on the future but do not anticipate an impact on our admissions or enrollment. Our admissions and enrollment numbers have remained strong during this year and we expect a robust enrollment in the fall.

No, it will not. Universities and colleges in the US, UK and beyond look at a wide variety of factors in a student application, focusing on the depth, breadth and rigor of the student's achievements in and out of the classroom. ASL also has an incredibly strong reputation among top colleges and universities globally, based on the quality of students we have sent in the past, the strength of our program as highlighted in Ofsted’s report, and the relationships that ASL has built with higher education institutions.

To the question “Will this Ofsted report and rating affect an ASL's student's chances for admission at my institution?”
 
“No, absolutely not. For many years the Yale admissions office has recognized the many excellences in the educational opportunities afforded to ASL students, including a deep and varied curriculum, an exceptionally accomplished and committed faculty and staff, and extensive learning facilities and resources. We know of the small classes, the close and attentive academic and pastoral advising, and the range of enriching learning opportunities outside the classroom. Importantly, we see in our applicants to Yale the obvious benefits those resources, approaches to teaching and guidance, and commitment to the highest standards of secondary education ASL has embraced consistently have afforded. With that in mind, we know we could admit nearly any applicant from ASL with confidence that they have been extremely well-prepared for both the academic rigors and community-mindedness at Yale. Any school or college may experience moments of questioning or adjustment, but institutions with intensively enduring and widespread strengths will continue to prepare its students to meet challenges and take advantage of opportunities ahead. The Ofsted report will not affect our consideration of applicants. We have full faith in ASL (and I trust the respect is mutual!), and we will continue to wholeheartedly welcome applications from its students this year, next year, and for years to come.” 
Keith Light, Director of International Admission, Yale University

"I am sorry to hear about the current issues that are ongoing at ASL and please be reassured that the rating of a school has absolutely no impact on our admission of students. The principal aim of the Admissions Policy of the Colleges of the University of Cambridge is to offer admission to students of the highest intellectual potential, irrespective of social, racial, religious and financial considerations. At Cambridge we recognise the support that ASL and, in particular, the University Counsellors give to students who are aiming to attend the most competitive Universities and will continue to consider applications from those students who meet the entry criteria."
Sarah Hales, Student Recruitment Co-Ordinator (International), University of Cambridge

Other universities consulted who confirmed our rating by Ofsted would have no effect include: 

"The answer is definitely and clearly no."
James Nondorf, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Advancement, University of Chicago

"I can confirm that our answer is no, this new rating itself would not have a negative impact on our admission evaluation of a student."
Alexander Bustin, Princeton University

"Having read through the report, I stand by my “NO” answer to your question."
Seth Allen, Vice President for Strategy & Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Pomona College

"There is no weighting of Ofsted ratings in our admission decisions and we always look at applicants as individuals. I can confidently say No to your question."
Peter Newcomb, Senior Associate Director of Admission, Brown University

"No; the Ofsted report will absolutely not negatively affect/impact the consideration of and chances for gaining admission to Cornell University by ASL students."
Shawn Felton, Executive Director & Deputy Chief Admissions and Enrollment Officer, Cornell University

“No, this change in rating will in no way affect how Harvey Mudd will review applications from ASL students.”
Thyra Briggs Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid, Harvey Mudd College

"I can answer “no” to the question."
Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services, MIT

"No – Ofsted ratings do not factor within our admissions processes or requirements."
Sarah Jamieson, Regional Officer (North America), Europe & Americas Team, University of Warwick

"The Ofsted report will not impact BC's review process for ASL students at any point."
Marybeth Cheverie, Associate Director of Admissions, Boston College

"I ​​can confirm that our answer is no, this new rating itself would not have a negative impact on our admission evaluation of a student."
Alexander Bustin, Princeton University

"The short answer is no, it won’t impact how ASL students are reviewed."
Ffiona Rees, Deputy Director Admissions, UCLA and Board Chair NACAC

"I think the most important thing to say is that there will be no difference in the way that students will be considered regardless of the Ofsted inspection. Every student who makes an application to UCL is considered on their individual merits and not on the school that they attend."
Raoul Morley, Senior School Liaison Officer, UCL Communications & Marketing

"No, the Ofsted report and rating will not affect an ASL student's chances for admission at NYU."
Bobbe Fernando, Senior Director of Global Admissions, New York University

 

 

 

One of our metrics is the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) scores. As you can see our students Grade 4 - Grade 10 score above US norms (NWEA) and International school standards (ECIS):

Another of our metrics are our annual profiles. For reasons of student privacy the college list is a compilation of 3 years of admissions. 
2017-18 profile
2018-19 profile
2019-20 profile
2020-21 profile
2021-22 profile