S. Anselm’s School Ofsted & ISI Report November 2009
“a first class, all-round, enjoyable education…”
“Pupils are articulate and confident, not least in praise of their school.”
“an outstanding range of educational experiences”
“a warm, calm, civilised atmosphere prevails…”
“Pupils are confident, self assured, happy and polite.”
“Pupils’ personal development is at the heart of the school’s philosophy…”
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Summaries of
the Independent Schools Inspectorate report October 2009
&
the Ofsted boarding report 2009
This edited summary is designed to provide you with an overview of three inspections, each carried out in S. Anselm’s during October 2009.
We are delighted with the findings, which underline how happy children are here and how well equipped they are for the future by their education.
The ISI report stated that the school enables pupils to “reach their academic potential, to develop their natural talents and encourage them to be good citizens”.
The Ofsted boarding inspection gave us a glowing report, commenting that “Boarders’ experience of enjoying and achieving is outstanding.”
Overall summary:
“S. Anselm's Preparatory School meets its aims extremely well. Significant strengths have lifted several elements of its work since the last inspection. The success of the school is due in part to a strong senior leadership team that promotes a warm and friendly ethos and a clear code of conduct that assists day and boarding pupils to develop finely-honed personal skills.
Pupils enjoy an outstanding curriculum which includes a vast range of extra-curricular activities to stimulate and broaden learning. Pastoral care is excellent and this is one reason why behaviour in lessons and around the school is so good.
Parents are strongly supportive. Pupils' overall progress is good. By the time pupils leave Year 8, progress in some academic subjects has been exceptional and pupils achieve extremely high standards in these subjects, and also in music and sport.
Life at school for all age groups enables pupils to feel happy and valued. They are great supporters of their school and when the time comes to leave, they are well prepared for their futures.”
The Quality of Education
The Educational Experience Provided: This was deemed to be outstanding. Boarders and day pupils enjoy an outstanding range of educational experiences encompassing academic, sporting, technical and creative pursuits, enriched by many additional activities.
The warm ethos created by pupils and staff permeates school life. Pupils comment favourably on the many experiences that the school offer, for boarders and day pupils, which help them to grow in self-esteem and self-confidence.
The curriculum is further strengthened by visits and visitors, and provides a first class, all round, enjoyable education for its pupils.
The extensive range of extracurricular activities reinforces the school’s strong commitment to make education fun. More than seventy are offered in the course of the year.
A look at the range of subjects offered is an indication of a very well planned, fluid and responsive programme, which is adjusted according to pupils' needs and talents.
The school prepares its pupils extremely well for their senior schools. The significant number of scholarships to selective senior schools is indicative of excellent preparation for Common Entrance.
Pupils' Learning and Achievements: This was deemed to be outstanding. Pupils are keen to learn, make good progress overall and acquire excellent learning skills. The school fulfils its aims very well to enable pupils to reach their potential whether academically or in creative or sporting arenas. A large number achieve scholarships to highly selective senior schools.
Pupils are articulate and confident, not least in praise of their school. They settle extremely quickly, apply themselves assiduously and thoroughly enjoy their work.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development of Pupils: This was deemed to be outstanding. Pupils’ personal development is at the heart of the school’s philosophy and it is outstanding overall.
Pupils show that they have strong moral values. They are well able to distinguish between right and wrong. Pupils are confident, self assured, happy and polite. They exhibit high levels of social awareness.
Pupils accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute to community life. The qualities of leadership and teamwork are well developed through activities.
The Quality of Teaching: Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning. This, and the school’s emphasis on making learning fun, has led to the high standards achieved, fulfilling the school’s aim.
Teachers are well qualified, and in many lessons their enthusiasm for their subjects is matched by the pupils with equal enthusiasm as they apply themselves to the tasks set. Teachers manage their classes well and their expectations of pupils' good behaviour are well rewarded.
Resources are good and are used effectively within lessons to underpin the teaching. Pupils report that “teachers push us to our potential”.
The Quality of Care and Relationships
The Quality of Pastoral Care, and the Welfare, Health and Safety of Pupils: The pastoral care was deemed to be outstanding. Pupils feel secure and highly valued and know that they always have a member of staff to whom they can turn.
The school has high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and manners. A warm, calm, civilised atmosphere prevails at the school. Pupils readily help each other and appreciate and celebrate each others’ success.
The school promotes healthy living extremely well. The vast range of physical activities in and out of curriculum time offer ample opportunity to pursue a healthy lifestyle. The school's own catering service provides healthy and nutritious food.
The Quality of Links with Parents and the Community: This was deemed to be outstanding. The school has outstanding links with parents and the community in the EYFS and throughout the school. A feature of the strong links between S.Anselm's and the community is the diversity of organisations using the premises and facilities.
The Quality of Boarding Education: This was deemed to be outstanding, improving on the last inspection. A committed team of highly skilled boarding staff provide a warm and supportive environment for the pupils. (This was dealt with in a separate inspection, the findings of which are summarised on page X of this document.)
The Effectiveness of Governance and Management
The Quality of Governance: Governance is good, as at the last inspection. Most of the governors are parents of current or former pupils, and are consequently in a good position to set appropriate aims and values for the school in keeping with the ethos. They do this very successfully.
Governors take their responsibilities to oversee the educational development and financial planning seriously and their astute management of resources has enabled development such as the swimming pool and sports hall.
The Quality of Leadership and Management: The clear direction and ambition for the school from the headmaster creates an ethos of warmth and friendliness both in the school and in boarding. The unequivocal code for excellent behaviour and high educational standards is supported by all members of the school community. This forms a strong foundation to underpin the school's aims and leads to its success.
Excellent policies are in place for a broad range of school activity and arrangements for their review are clear.
Ofsted boarding report
Boarding
Helping children to be healthy: Boarder's health and pastoral care is being strongly promoted by a dedicated team of professional staff who are continually striving to develop the boarding experience and attain outstanding outcomes for children.
Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe: Boarders' safety is effectively promoted because staff listen and take appropriate actions to ensure their welfare. Boarders are cared for in a warm, friendly and safe atmosphere. Boarders show great respect and regard towards each other and this is fostered and encouraged by staff.
Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do: The school was rated as outstanding in this area. The boarders clearly enjoy boarding, and individual support us given a high priority. Boarders self knowledge, self esteem and self confidence is excellent because they are valued within the school community.
Helping children make a positive contribution: There is an excellent range of channels through which boarders can express their views and feelings. The school demonstrates a very positive attitude to boarders' families and promotes parental contact. The school is outstanding in this area.
Achieving economic wellbeing: The school's overall standard of accommodation for its boarders is good. All accommodation is maintained to a good standard by a team of support staff. The grounds are beautifully maintained and offer a safe environment in which to relax or pursue sporting activities.
Organisation: The organisation and management of the school is outstanding. An enthusiastic and energetic staff team has made a visible impact in developing the boarding ethos in a short time.
Ofsted made no recommendations for improvement.
A full version of the Ofsted boarding report can be viewed on the Ofsted website or can be produced by the school upon request.
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_providers/list
The ISI inspects schools according to a standard framework for inspection which is laid down for the purposes of ensuring that standards are maintained and that the school complies with relevant legal requirements. This framework has been agreed with the DfES and OFSTED which have recognised the ISI as the body responsible for regular inspection of schools in England that are affiliated to the Independent Schools Council. A full version of the S. Anselm’s ISI report is available from the school office or can be viewed at www.isinspect.org.uk
Posted on
Tue, January 5, 2010
by SCN