A Sense of Pride at EHS Following ISI Inspection

Those of you who have read the report from three years ago will remember the last report, in which the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements was deemed excellent, as was the quality of pupils’ personal development.

From September 2023, the framework for inspecting independent schools changed and those headline judgements are no longer awarded. Schools continue to be rigorously measured against the Independent School Standards Regulations and the way we are inspected is closely monitored by the Department for Education. 

Independent schools are given 24 hours’ notice before being inspected and, across three very full days, inspectors observe lessons, co curricular activities, lunchtimes, speak with pupils, school leaders and staff, scrutinise pupils’ work and outcomes, review policies and records, and conduct tours focused on health and safety. They also carefully consider the views of pupils and parents who responded to the survey. It is an intense process, and our pupils showed great kindness to the inspectors.

I am thrilled with the outcome of the inspection. I am immensely proud of our community every day but reading a report that captures how well we work together to support pupils to become all that we hope for them is truly wonderful.

There is so much within the report that I would love to highlight, and I am sure you will read it carefully. I did, however, want to draw your attention to a few phrases that stand out and reflect the heart of our school:

“The pupils are respectful of individual differences and kind to each other”, “Pupils are resilient, embrace challenge and approach their education with confidence”. “The school community is diverse, inclusive and respectful”.

“Staff provide regular opportunities for pupils to consolidate their prior learning, before deepening and furthering their knowledge.” “Staff demonstrate considerable subject knowledge, which they use to plan and deliver stimulating lessons”.

“The school promotes pupils’ wellbeing, including their physical and mental health, carefully and effectively”. 

“Leaders and staff work together closely to promote and maintain a robust safeguarding culture”. “Staff respond quickly and compassionately to any concerns raised by pupils so that their emotional wellbeing is supported effectively”.

These are just a few of the comments that drew my eye but perfectly capture the ethos and aims of EHS.

The inspection framework also requires there to be a Recommended Next Step, and the inspectors highlighted that our careers programme for years 7 & 8 was not as well developed as the rest of our provision. We had already identified this as a focus within our self evaluation and had begun strengthening it prior to the visit. Since then, we have streamlined the curriculum to ensure clearer progression, enriched links to real world skills, improved communication through a more informative website, and launched the “EHS Futures: Parent Partnership for Careers Education” forum. These enhancements not only address the recommendation but also reinforce our forward looking approach to preparing students for the future.

As a school community, we should all feel enormously proud. This report reflects the kindness and ambition of our pupils, the professionalism and dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support of our families. I hope that you enjoy reading this report as much as I did.

Mrs C Macro 

Headmistress