At Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form in the Royal Borough of Kingston, the motto is clear: “Let your light so shine. Be the best you can be.” With over 1,400 students and a thriving mixed sixth form, the school is oversubscribed, successful, and proud of its strong culture. For Headteacher Jolande, true excellence comes from reflection, accountability, and growth; qualities that the Challenge Partners Quality Assurance (QA) Review has brought into sharp focus.
Strengthening the School’s Core Values
Tolworth’s ethos is grounded in its ABC values: Aim high, Be brave, Create positivity. Jolande explains: “These values form the basis of the high expectations that staff have of all students. Everyone connected with the school promotes them, and they shape everything we do.”
The QA Review has helped reinforce these values in practice. “Having external colleagues look closely at what we do challenges us in the best possible way. It makes sure that our values aren’t just words on paper but are evident in every classroom and leadership decision.”
The Power of External Challenge
For Jolande, one of the greatest strengths of the QA Review is the fresh perspective it brings. “When colleagues from outside the school come in, they see things we might miss,” she says. “That kind of constructive challenge is invaluable. It pushes us to reflect, to question, and ultimately to improve.”
This rigorous but supportive process ensures the school is constantly refining its approach. Jolande reflects: “It’s about accountability, but it never feels punitive. It’s professional, respectful, and focused on helping us do the very best for our students.”
Empowering Middle and Senior Leaders
The QA Review has also been a powerful development tool for Tolworth’s leadership team. “Our middle leaders in particular gain so much from it,” Jolande notes. “It gives them the chance to showcase their work, receive feedback, and think critically about their next steps. That builds both confidence and capacity.”
By engaging leaders at all levels, the review ensures that improvement is embedded throughout the school. “It’s not just about senior leadership. Everyone is part of the process, and that collective ownership is what drives lasting change,” she says.
A National Perspective, Local Impact
Through Challenge Partners, Tolworth Girls’ also benefits from being part of a national network. “It reminds us that we’re not working in isolation,” Jolande explains. “We’re learning from schools in different contexts and contributing to a bigger conversation about what great education looks like.”
This wider perspective has inspired practical improvements within Tolworth: “We’ve taken ideas from the QA Review process and adapted them to fit our context. It keeps us fresh, innovative, and focused on what matters most, our students.”
Looking Ahead
As Tolworth continues to thrive, Jolande is clear that the QA Review will remain central to its journey. “It sharpens our practice, develops our leaders, and reassures us that we’re on the right track. Most importantly, it ensures we never stop aiming higher.”
For Jolande and the team at Tolworth Girls’ School, the Challenge Partners Quality Assurance Review has been a catalyst for improvement and leadership growth. In her words: “It’s about constructive challenge, collaboration, and always striving to be better. That’s how we make sure every student’s light shines.”