Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery is celebrating after being recognised as ‘excellent’ in a recent inspection report by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate (ISI), the independent sector equivalent of Ofsted.

Their report highlighted that: 

Pupils make rapid academic progress and show above-average attainment
Excellent pastoral care ensures pupils are confident, resilient and self-disciplined
The school is a safe, secure and happy environment within which all can thrive 
A key part of a child’s school career is the support and learning they receive during Nursery and Reception. During the inspection, the inspectors observed that all children make very good progress in relation to their age and development. By the end of reception, the majority are exceeding many of the Early Learning Goals. 

They found this rapid progress continues throughout the school, noting pupils are aided by excellent teaching in lessons that are well-planned, encompassing a variety of techniques tailored to the needs of the pupils.

The inspection team found examples of this throughout the school: 

‘The most able pupils respond enthusiastically to the extra challenges provided within lessons and academic clubs and societies, achieving more and more. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or English as an additional Language (EAL) make equally good progress.’

Alongside the importance of academic achievement, Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery believes in developing children into well-rounded individuals ready for the next stage in their lives. 

This was emphasised in the ISI report:  

The inspectors also noted that pupils’ ‘strong moral and social attitudes are rooted in the ethos of the school and fulfil its aim of providing a safe, secure and happy environment within which all can thrive’. 

This was reflected in pupil interviews, in which pupils ‘spoke of a caring, supportive and happy community in which they show real, genuine concern for each other’. 

Mr Geoff Laidler, Headteacher of Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery, said: 

“We are thrilled with the findings in the recent ISI inspection. The report shows that the inspectors understood, and saw examples of, the spirit and ethos of the school. 

“The inspectors’ comments support the firmly held belief across the Schools’ family in providing an education for pupils from all cultures and backgrounds within a supportive environment in which they can make the best use of their abilities. 

“We were especially pleased to see the inspectors highlight that we promote an environment in which errors are seen as part of the learning process as this enables pupils to feel free to try something without fear of failure, something we know benefits them both academically and personally. 

“We were equally pleased by the inspectors’ recognition that the pupils are supported in these achievements by our wide-ranging extra-curricular programme.”

Dr John Hind, Principal of Dame Allan’s Schools, was also pleased with the result of the inspection: 

“We are delighted with the findings in the recent ISI inspection, which follows a similarly excellent report for the Senior Schools in May 2019. Such a successful outcome is the result of the efforts of the whole Junior School family and is a credit to the hard work and dedication of parents and pupils as well as the school staff.”