A selection of comments from the June 2011 Inspection Report

  • “ The quality of pupils’ achievements and their learning, attitudes and skills is excellent, fulfilling the school’s aim to enable each pupil to achieve her personal best in order to become a self-motivated learner. ”
  • “ Throughout the school, teaching and non-teaching staff provide excellent support and guidance, and there is a strong ethos of respect, patience and tolerance between adults and pupils and amongst the pupils themselves. In this nurturing environment there is a confidence and natural expectation that everyone has a voice and everyone will be listened to. ”
  • “ The range and quality of extra-curricular provision are outstanding and provide superb opportunities for pupils of all ages to enjoy unique experiences and success in activities such as swing band, advanced musical theory, ballet, athletics and cross-country. Parents and pupils alike praise the provision in this area. Extensive use is made of local facilities and links with the community are strong. ”
  • “ The curricular and extra-curricular experiences available to pupils excellent. The school has built significantly on the breadth and depth of the curriculum and committed and dedicated staff have worked hard to ensure that its aim to provide a rich and creative curriculum is fulfilled. The curriculum’s vibrancy challenges the pupils on all levels and heightens not only their own self-awareness but their understanding and appreciation of the world in which they live. ”
  • “ The pupils’ success is the outcome of their eagerness to learn, the opportunities provided within and outside of the curriculum and the high quality of the teaching they receive. They demonstrate extremely motivated attitudes towards their learning and enjoy very positive relationships with their teachers and amongst themselves. ”
  • “ Pupils’ personal development is outstanding and well-supported by effective welfare, safeguarding and health and safety arrangements and excellent pastoral care. Warm and caring relationships are conspicuous, with the result that pupils develop strong feelings of self-worth and approach their learning with confidence. Pupils of all ages play and work exceptionally well together, displaying sensitivity and consideration. They appreciate the individual care and attention they receive from staff and show a strong sense of responsibility towards one another and those less fortunate, as shown in their fund-raising for charity, much of which they initiate and organise themselves. ”
  • “ Pupils’ literacy and numeracy skills are very well developed. They listen attentively and speak confidently and clearly. In lessons and interviews, pupils demonstrated an ability to think for themselves and reason logically. As they grow older, they develop the capacity to evaluate their own work, and that of their peers perceptively. ”
  • “ Pupils of all ages produce a wide variety of competent writing. They apply their capable mathematical skills in cross-curricular investigations. Pupils’ proficient ICT skills are used well in subjects such as music, science and geography, where they are adept at producing multimedia presentations. Their scientific knowledge and skills are strong; they enjoy experiments and record their findings capably. ”
  • “ Creativity is particularly well developed through music, art, design and technology (DT) projects and drama. Teachers successfully incorporate a progression of required skills whilst enabling pupils to express their ideas most imaginatively. ”
  • “ Achievements of all kinds are highly valued and make a significant contribution to pupils’ personal development. ”
  • “ Throughout the school, including in the EYFS, pupils’ personal development, which is given high priority by staff, is outstanding. This fully achieves the school’s aim to nurture and celebrate each individual. ”