Garden House School ISI Report - Flipbook - Page 4
Background Information
4
1.
Background Information
About the school
1.1
Garden House School is an independent day school for pupils between 3 and 11 years of age. The
school was founded in 1950, as a day pre-prep school for female pupils. In 1989 the boys’ school was
established and since 2009 males and females can continue their education up to the age of 11. The
school is owned and run by co-proprietors, who direct the ethos and are responsible for all strategic
matters.
1.2
The school is divided into three sections: the girls’ school, the boys’ school and the Early Years. Except
for the Early Years males and females are educated separately.
1.3
Since the previous inspection, the school has two new co-proprietors. The girls’ school has been
restructured in terms of leadership under a new head. The boys’ school has a new head and lower and
upper girls school divisions are no longer used. The head of Early Years was appointed in 2017. As of
Sept 2020 there is one deputy head working across all three schools.
1.4
During the period March to August 2020, the whole school remained open only for children of key
workers.
1.5
During this period of closure the school provided remote learning material for all pupils.
1.6
In the interests of infection control during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, inspection evidence
was gathered partly remotely and partly on-site to reduce contact within the school setting.
1.7
In line with the direction given by the Department for Education (DfE) at the time, no evaluation has
been made of the nature or effectiveness of any provision made during the period March to August
2020, including its impact on pupils’ learning, achievement or personal development. Any concerns
relating to pupils’ welfare during this period which directly relate to measures implemented by the
school have been considered.
1.8
During the lockdown period of January to March 2021, all pupils other than the children of key workers
or vulnerable pupils received remote learning provision at home.
1.9
Since 2020, EYFS profiles have not been externally moderated.
What the school seeks to do
1.10 The school’s mission is to enable a happy, well-spent childhood for its pupils. It aims to create a
stimulating and supportive environment in which children gain an enthusiasm for learning, allowing
them to succeed. Pupils are encouraged to become independent thinkers and to develop confidence,
grace and courage. Its motto is non sibi sed omnibus – not for one, for all.
About the pupils
1.11 Pupils are predominantly from the local area and come from professional backgrounds. Nationally
standardised test data provided by the school indicate that the ability of the pupils is above average.
The school has identified 61 pupils as having special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND),
which include dyslexia and dyscalculia, of whom 37 receive additional support. No pupil has an
education, health and care plan. English is an additional language (EAL) for 147 pupils, the majority of
whom are fluent in English and 17 pupils receive additional support for their English. There are no
pupils with medical/disability needs. Data used by the school have identified 18 pupils as the most
able in the school’s population, and they are catered for in lessons and with challenge tasks.
© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2021
Garden House School – October 2021