The ISI’s recent inspection of Danes Hill School was completed in February 2020. A summary of the report can be found below, the full inspection report can be found at the bottom of this section.
We are extremely proud of the outcome of this inspection, in which Danes Hill received the highest possible results, across the board.
There are two elements to the report: a Regulatory Compliance Inspection and an Educational Quality Inspection.
Regulatory Compliance Inspection
The Regulatory Compliance Inspection only reports on the school’s compliance with the ISI’s educational standards. These standards represent minimum requirements, and judgements are given either as met or not met.
Key Findings:
The Regulatory Compliance Inspection found that the school met all of the standards contained in the Schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 and associated requirements, and that no further action is required.
- The categories assessed were:
- Quality of education provided
- Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils
- Welfare, health and safety of pupils
- Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors
- Premises and accommodation
- Provision of information
- Manner in which complaints are handled
- Quality of leadership and management
“Principles and values are actively promoted which facilitate the personal development of pupils as responsible, tolerant, law-abiding citizens.”
“The leadership and management demonstrate good skills and knowledge, and fulfil their responsibilities effectively, so that other standards are consistently met, and they actively promote the well-being of the pupils.”
Educational Quality Inspection
The Educational Quality Inspection reports on the quality of the school’s work, and the headline judgements must include one of the ISI descriptors – excellent, good, sound, or unsatisfactory.
Key Findings:
The Educational Quality Inspection focuses on two key outcomes:
- The achievement of the pupils, including their academic development
- The personal development of the pupils
Both areas were given the descriptor ‘excellent’.
The inspectors found that the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.
- Pupils are excellent communicators who show outstanding skills; they are articulate, use vocabulary appropriately and confidently and listen well from a very young age.
- Pupils display excellent attitudes to learning from an early age; their ability to work independently and collaboratively is outstanding.
- Knowledge, skills and understanding are excellent and are applied by pupils effectively in a range of subjects.
- From their various starting points, pupils of all abilities make excellent progress over time, particularly in mathematics and English and achieve standards which are well above average for their age by the time they leave the school.
“Pupils’ positive attitudes are developed by their response to the excellent pace of lessons, teachers’ high expectations and the variety of activities offered.”
“From the minute they arrive in the mornings, they are instantly engaged in classroom activities that develop their thinking skills.”
“Pupils’ excellent academic and extra-curricular achievements owe much to the governance of the school, which has been instrumental in providing excellent opportunities for the pupils by developing much-appreciated facilities which offer plentiful opportunities for pupils to develop their learning.”
The inspection also concluded that the quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent.
- All pupils make confident decisions and considered independent choices in all activities; their decision-making skills are highly developed.
- Pupils display exceptionally high levels of self-understanding, self-discipline and self-awareness which are reflected in their learning.
- Pupils show high levels of respect and ensure inclusivity for pupils of all backgrounds and traditions.
- Pupils have excellent social skills and show incredibly high levels of self-awareness and a strong sense of belonging.
- Pupils make an excellent contribution to the school community and the wider local, national and international communities.
“The school is a strong, harmonious and happy community, with each member valued and making a positive difference.”
“Pupils conduct themselves sensibly and courteously around the school, and their classroom behaviour is exemplary, giving them great opportunities for productive study. Pupils display excellent manners and share equipment willingly.”
“They develop a natural awe and wonder for the world through the woodland learning environment.”
“The leadership of the school is most effective in creating the space and the time for pupils to develop excellent personal skills and self-awareness.”
