ISI Inspection Report

I have enjoyed my conversations with parents this week at the Year 9 Parents' Evening and the Year 6 Assembly. The Parents' Evening was a great success and it was heartening to see the boys and girls getting so involved in conversations with their teachers and parents about how they can improve their academic performances. At the Year 6 Assembly on Friday, we travelled back in time to the Victorian era and discovered what schools were like over one hundred years ago. Don't worry though... we didn't force any children to climb up chimneys or meet the cane! The pupils gave us an enthusiastic insight into life in a Victorian classroom. Well done to all those involved.

This week I received our copy of the inspection report following last term's standard inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. This is attached to my weekly Parentmail (or you can click here) and I do hope that you will take the time to read it thoroughly. In my view it makes encouraging reading and there are so many positive comments within the report that make me proud to be leading Arnold School. The inspection teams who visited us twice in November and December really took the time to get to know Arnold and their objective judgement is therefore of value to my plans for the School's future direction.

Looking through the report, the academic side is exactly what you would expect from a strong independent school and it ticks all the boxes. Where we have something special is in our "outstanding" pastoral care and the development of our children into well-rounded adults; a true definition of bringing out the best in everyone. This cannot be taken for granted at all schools, but is something that we have every right to celebrate at Arnold. The inspectors recognised that our "broad curriculum and outstanding provision of extra-curricular activities help pupils to achieve well in a broad field of study and across a wide range of interests." This praise, coupled with 'outstanding' ratings in five areas, is testament to the many strengths of Arnold School. We were rated 'outstanding' for our Early Years Foundation Stage (Kindergarten and Reception), the standard of our pastoral care, the quality of our links with parents, our governance and our pupils' moral and social development.

The report highlights that "the school's strong sense of community is built on excellent relationships." A sense of teamwork and happiness is absolutely essential if our children are to reach their full potential and the inspectors observed that "pupils' achievements are enhanced because of their good attitude to work, their co-operation, commitment and enthusiasm." I was also reassured that the inspectors commented that "there is a strong community spirit and the pupils are able to show skills of leadership, so that they are well prepared for future personal and professional challenges." This corroborates the comments I made in my blog last week about how we nurture independence and leadership skills at Arnold.

Thank you for your input and for returning your parental questionnaires prior to the inspection. I was encouraged to see that "parents and pupils are very pleased with the school" and that "the senior management and other teachers are seen by parents as being very approachable." High quality communication is crucial in a forward-thinking school and my colleagues and I always appreciate your ideas.

I am supported by a strong and passionate senior management team, and so I was delighted that the inspectors recognised that the school's leaders have "a clear view of the current provision and the future direction needed to secure further school improvement." I have already started to build into our strategic planning the recommendations contained within the ISI report. We have invested heavily in many areas which benefit the pupils' academic progression and will continue to do so. I am determined that by evolving and improving further we will stay in the forefront of educational provision.

Best wishes

Jim Keefe, Headmaster

Posted by: J E Keefe
Date: Monday 24/01/2011