Ofsted has given Ampleforth College a clean bill of health two years after the school was banned from accepting new admissions amid concerns over safeguarding standards.
A new report from the education watchdog has found that child protection at the North Yorkshire public school – sometimes referred to as the “Catholic Eton” – was now “much improved”.
The report guarantees a surer future for an institution which includes among its alumni actors Rupert Everett and James Norton and Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey TV series, SAS founder Sir David Stirling and Cardinal Basil Hume.
It found that the school, which charges boarding fees of £39,900 a year, met all of the independent school standards and national minimum safeguarding standards that were checked during the inspection.
Head teacher Robin Dyer, who will retire at Christmas after 10 terms, welcomed the findings of the inspection carried out last month.
He said: “This Ofsted report evidences happy, safe students, consistently high standards, and enduring professionalism from staff.
“Ampleforth College has everything in place to flourish and become even stronger under new leadership. The future is bright.”
The college and the adjacent Benedictine Ampleforth Abbey came under close scrutiny from the authorities when in 2018 it was severely criticised by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse over instances of “appalling sexual abuse” and cover up.
In 2020 Sir Gavin Williamson, then the Education Secretary, halted new pupil admissions because of safeguarding concerns raised by Ofsted, a move likened by newspaper columnist Charles Moore to putting the college on “death row”.
The school and its supporters declared that the criticisms were harsh, however, and argued that Ofsted had failed to take into account the views of parents or the findings of several independent audits that contradicted its findings.
Yet a subsequent report in 2021 by government inspectors again found safeguarding at Ampleforth College was “inadequate” after 81 six formers sneaked out for a secret summer party, which left one in hospital with alcohol poisoning and another unconscious in an orchard.
Traces of Class A drugs were also found at the college.
Sniffer dogs and thermal imaging have since been introduced to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
In its new report, Ofsted also expressed satisfaction that the separation of the college and the abbey was “much clearer”.
It includes a physical barrier between the two and “unambiguous rules” about who is permitted access to the college.
Monks working at the college must pass the same statutory background checks as lay staff, and visiting monks must wear distinctive lanyards and be accompanied at all times.
For the third time, Ofsted’s Parent Survey found that 99 per cent would recommend the school to others.
Mr Dyer, a former county cricketer who previously worked at Wellington College in Berkshire, has been credited with rescuing the college from one of the darkest periods in its 220-year history.
He will be replaced by Peter Roberts, head teacher of The King’s School, Canterbury from 2011 to 2022 and Bradfield College in Berkshire from 2003 to 2011. He is a former Anglican who converted to the Catholic faith.
Mr Roberts said: “This new chapter for the school, starting after the welcome news from Ofsted, will be one of consolidation and confidence.
“I will continue to ensure best safeguarding practice and the excellent pastoral care of every pupil.
“I see the purpose of Ampleforth College as the development of the whole person to do good in life and to serve others.
“Integral to this is the offer of opportunity, spiritual nourishment, and academic breadth, including music, sport, the performing arts and service.
“Ampleforth has a proud track record in all of these which I am determined to develop and enhance in the coming years, along with independent thinking and learning.
“The Benedictine approach has always been important to me and my personal journey of faith has been a long one and deeply aligned with all that Ampleforth stands for. I am really looking forward to it.”
Edward Sparrow, chair of governors at Ampleforth, said the college was “very pleased” by the appointment of Mr Roberts.
He said: “Peter’s reputation reflects his success in fostering strong relations with staff and pupils and his focus on the welfare of the whole school community.
“He has been highly effective in the delivery of strategy and development in both his previous headships.
“Peter and his wife Marie bring with them a strong Catholic faith and an enthusiasm for the Benedictine way which is central to the life of Ampleforth.”
He added: “I look forward to working with Peter to build on the work of Robin Dyer in the next stage of Ampleforth’s development as one of Europe’s leading Catholic schools.”
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.