Inspection
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTION
Inspection dates: 09 November 2010 to 10 November 2010
06 December 2010 to 08 December 2010
(Quotes specific to the Prep School.)
2. THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHOOL
Main Findings:
“An overall excellent curriculum and outstanding teaching enable preparatory school pupils to achieve excellent all-round standards. As a result of the excellent guidance pupils exhibit outstanding personal development.”
2.1 The standard of literacy is excellent and high standards of numeracy are achieved. Pupils use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) confidently, learn independently and are creative.
3. THE QUALITY OF ACADEMIC AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
3.2 In the preparatory school pupils achieve excellent standards; they demonstrate high levels of literacy.
Pupils are avid readers, much of which is obtained from the class libraries. Pupils write well, prose is well structured, grammar and spelling are good and handwriting is neat. Pupils achieve high standards in creative and physical activities and in the best lessons, undertake independent study.
3.6 Attainment is high. Results in national tests at age eleven have been far above the national average in maintained primary schools.
3.7 Behaviour is excellent.
3.8 In the preparatory school the curriculum emphasises literacy and numeracy and provides a good range of other subjects.
Scientific knowledge and understanding are well supported throughout the science lessons taught by class teachers in classrooms in the earlier years and by specialist teaching in senior school laboratories in Year 6.
3.10 Preparation for the next stage is thorough, preparatory school pupils spend a day in the senior school and some lessons are taught using the excellent Senior school facilities.
3.12 Extra-curricular provision is excellent and highly valued by the pupils.
3.15 Particularly good use is made of questioning to provoke thought and develop understanding. In a science lesson probing questions challenged older preparatory school pupils to consider similarities and differences between vertebrates and invertebrates. This enabled pupils of all abilities to achieve excellent levels of knowledge.
4. THE QUALITY OF PUPILS’ PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
4.1 Pupils are confident, well-rounded individuals.
4.2 Pupils express empathy, for example in an English lesson older preparatory school pupils empathised with the terror experienced by the passengers on the Titanic as it was sinking. Pupils exhibit considerable self-confidence and high levels of self-esteem; their achievements are recognised and celebrated in assemblies and they are genuinely pleased when their peers receive awards.
4.3 Through participation in the Eco-council pupils show awareness of conservation. During a Year 5 assembly entitled “Rubbish” pupils encouraged their peers to ‘reduce, renew and recycle’ to conserve the Earth’s resources.
4.4 Pupils exhibit excellent social skills. They exercise their responsibilities as house or games captains with great care.
4.5 Cultural awareness is strong. Pupils actively participate in the arts; many are learning musical instruments and participate at a high level in a variety of school concerts.
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