Excerpts From The
Latest Inspection Report
2007
By
The
Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
19th - 22nd March 2007
The Full Report is available on the ISI website.
http://www.isinspect.org.uk/reports/2007/1090_07.htm
2. THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION
The Educational Experience Provided
.........."The school is highly successful in matching the education it
provides to its aims. Pupils benefit from a varied, broad and extremely
interesting educational experience which caters for their intellectual,
personal, physical and aesthetic development in a balanced way. This is
set within a caring environment which fosters a sense of belonging and
common purpose. Parents were overwhelming in their support of the
education enjoyed by their children. It has developed strong links with
local senior schools. Almost all pupils gain places in highly
competitive entry to their first choice of senior school. Each year a
number of pupils gain academic and non-academic awards."
.........." a particular emphasis is
now placed on encouraging pupils' independent learning skills. The
programme which has been developed to support this is highly successful
and starts at an early age. For example, Foundation Stage children learn
to pour their own water at lunch time. Older pupils enjoy many
opportunities in all their subjects to tackle challenges that. require
them to use their own initiative. A special feature of the school is the
weekly challenge afternoon. Pupils of different ages work together on
specific tasks such as creating their own musical and dance performance,
building a structure out of straws or making their own magazine. "
..........."Pupils are thoroughly prepared
for the next stage of their education. In interviews, Year 6 were
adamant that they felt extremely confident and well prepared for their
senior schools. Their self-esteem is nurtured by the atmosphere within
the school which values them strongly as individuals, and the practice
of encouraging them to take positions of responsibility. A comprehensive
personal, health, and social education (PHSE) programme prepares them
for the physical and emotional challenges of growing up and moving on.
They are also taught study skills, and benefit from careful preparation
for their examinations. They practise their interview techniques and
personal presentations with the head. Pupils and parents receive
extensive information about senior schools. This enables them to make ,
informed choices so that pupils continue to flourish at the next stage
of their education."
2.9 Pupil's Learning and Achievements
......."Pupils in Years 1 to 6 make rapid
progress and achieve well in the full range of subjects. Writing is of
high quality across the school."
..........Foundation Stage children enjoy a
broad range of activities which include French and integrated ICT. These
enable them to become confident and independent so that almost all of
them achieve or exceed the nationally recommended levels for children of
their age. They are well prepared to access the work in Year 1. The
youngest were able to identify numbers and collect items to match them
from around their classroom, explaining what they were doing without
difficulty.
..........The atmosphere in the school is
one in which all pupils work hard, enjoy their education and give of
their best to the community. Pupils of all ages have highly developed
speaking and listening skills. In interviews they were extremely
articulate and confident to speak, listening carefully to each other so
as not to repeat things and were very thoughtful with their responses.
These skills are used successfully in all subjects. They enable pupils
to reach high standards as they listen, ask focused questions and apply
what they find out. This is particularly obvious in their creative work
in subjects such as art, or through their extensive writing. It is also
true in their investigative work in science and ICT. Pupils apply
mathematical knowledge efficiently and use their skills accurately.
Calculation is quick and sure at all ages. Year 2 pupils could
effectively demonstrate the partitioning method to halve numbers,
explaining that to halve a number without a remainder, you needed to
start with an even number.
..........Pupil's show an
outstanding confidence and
competence in their use of ICT for a wide range of functions, giving
demonstrations and making broadcasts for their own radio station.
2.16 Spiritual, Moral, Social and
Cultural Development of Pupils
.........The Spiritual, Moral, Social and
Cultural Development of Pupils was considered a strength at the last
inspection. It is now outstanding
and supports the school's aims to
develop confident pupils who are well prepared for the next stage of
their education.
........Pupils' moral development is strong
and they are quite clear about what constitutes right and wrong
behaviour.
2..22 The Quality of Teaching
..........The school's aims are well
supported by the good quality of the teaching. This provides a
stimulating environment in which all pupils can succeed. The quality of
teaching has improved since the last inspection, and it enables pupils
of all ages and abilities to acquire new knowledge, to make good
progress in their understanding and to develop effective skills. It
promotes high attainment and all-round excellence.' A high proportion of
lessons observed were outstanding. Many teachers demonstrated a passion
for their subjects, so inspiring pupils by their enthusiasm. This
inspirational quality of much of the teaching is at the heart of the
pupils’ learning and achievement.
.........Pupils are taught through a wide
range of activities, including talking and discussion, investigation,
experimentation and pupils' use of their imagination. Such strategies
are used successfully to inspire pupils' intellectual, creative and
physical efforts.
The outstanding standard of display evident in every available comer of
the school is testament to this and provides an inviting learning
environment for the pupils.
..........The relationship between teachers
and pupils is excellent. Praise, humour and encouragement are all used
appropriately, adding to the quality of those relationships and pupils'
enjoyment of lessons. Teachers strongly encourage their pupils to think
and learn for themselves. The high quality of questioning plays a key
role in this process. Pupils are confident in expressing their ideas and
opinions and behave in a responsible and appropriate manner.
3.1 The Quality of Care and
Relationships
..............The Pastoral Care continues to
be of high quality. The concern of the staff for their pupil's and the
happy atmosphere which pervades the community strongly support the
school's aims.
..............Measures to promote good
behaviour and discipline work extremely well. The positive is emphasised
and pupil's behaviour is excellent.
3.9 The Quality of Links with Parents
and the Community
..........The links with parents are now
judged to be outstanding.
..........The flow of information between
the school and parents is highly efficient. The 'Open Door' policy was
seen in action during the inspection week. A member of staff is
available before and after school to meet parents and deal with any
small anxieties, and the atmosphere is one in which parents are welcome.
The website has proved to be a boon for the ease of sharing information
and it is updated at least three times a week, and usually more often.
Parents can access the menus for lunch, see information sheets about the
curriculum and view examples of pupils' recent work.
4.The Effectiveness of Governance and
Management
..........The school continues to be well
governed. The governing body is closely involved with the management in
setting and maintaining the schools aims and ethos.
..........The school continues to be well
led and managed. The head provides strong leadership and is clear about
the ethos she wishes to prevail across the school, and the means by
which this can be achieved.
5.1 Overall Conclusions
...........The school has continued to be
highly successful in meeting its aims ,to ensure that all pupils are
well and broadly educated. They become extremely competent independent
learners and gain places in competitive entry to senior schools. They
acquire secure foundations in literacy and numeracy and science,
together with the essential knowledge, skills and understanding related
to all their subjects:' Standards in French and lCT are greatly
improved. Pupils speak French confidently with good accents, and their
lCT skills are now outstanding. All pupils apply their knowledge and
skills extremely efficiently.
The Full Report is available on the ISI website.
http://www.isinspect.org.uk/reports/2007/1090_07.htm
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