The Regent Secondary School, Abuja has become the first and only secondary school in Nigeria and West Africa to earn an outstanding rating across all nine categories from British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspectors.
The inspection is commissioned by the UK Department for Education.
Schools inspected by BSO are evaluated against various standards, including the quality of education provided, the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils, and the welfare, health, and safety of students.
Other criteria include the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors, the premises and accommodation, provision of information to parents, handling of complaints and grievances, leadership and management, and boarding provision.
Each standard is rated on a scale: grade 1 (Outstanding), grade 2 (Good), grade 3 (Satisfactory), and grade 4 (Inadequate).
BSO Scheme is the UK Department for Education’s inspection programme for overseas schools.
Overseas schools that describe themselves as British are subject to recognition by the British government under this inspection scheme.
The DfE has established arrangements for inspection based on a common set of standards that British Schools Overseas can choose to adopt. The aim is to inform parents of pupils in these schools about how their standards measure up to those of independent schools in England.
Inspectorates approved by the DfE and monitored by Ofsted carry out the inspections on British schools overseas and produce reports that are available to parents and prospective parents. These reports inform parents about the quality of provision within the school and its alignment with independent schools in England.
The inspection visit to The Regent Secondary School took place in February 2025, where the inspectors described the quality of education at the school as broad, innovative, and child-centred, praising its effectiveness in engaging students and delivering excellent academic outcomes.
They noted, “Students consistently achieve significantly above global averages, with 98% securing A-C grades at IGCSE level, nearly half of which are A or A grades.”
The school was commended for its exceptional spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, underpinned by its core values of ‘Respect, Responsibility, and Resourcefulness.’
Inspectors highlighted how “students develop an excellent understanding of tolerance, open-mindedness, and respect for the beliefs, cultures, and views of other people. Students spoke proudly of their teachers’ ability to address any issues or problems in a timely manner.
Outstanding safeguarding and pastoral care systems at the school were specifically praised, with the report stating: “Robust safeguarding practices and excellent pastoral care ensure students feel safe, secure, respected, and valued.”
The inspection team also commended the school’s boarding facilities, calling them “exemplary,” noting that “boarders feel safe, secure, comfortable, and enjoy their accommodation. They report strong, supportive relationships with staff and peers.”
The Principal of the School, Mr. Reynolds, upon receiving the inspectors’ report, stated, “This recognition reflects the high standards we uphold at The Regent Secondary School Abuja.
“It is a proud moment for our school community and a testament to the dedication of our students and staff.” Reynolds described the achievement as “a defining milestone for The Regent Secondary School Abuja. Achieving Outstanding in all nine categories highlights our unwavering commitment to excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement.”
The secondary session joins its sister school, the Regent Primary School, which achieved an Outstanding inspection report in 2023 and became the first and only primary school in West Africa to receive this distinction.
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