ISI Report September 2024

St. Helen’s College received an “Excellent” report

St. Helen’s College was inspected by the ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) in September 2024 and received an excellent report, recognising the enormous passion, expertise and commitment of our staff to ensure superb outcomes for our pupils.

In particular, we are delighted that inspectors recognised the exceptional oral communication skills of our pupils by awarding St. Helen’s College a rare ‘area of significant strength’. Inspectors said,

“Leaders have high aspirations for pupils. The decision to prioritise oracy skills and to provide opportunities for pupils to use them, results in highly articulate, confident individuals. Pupils readily express their thoughts and opinions. This is a significant strength of the school. Pupils use verbal reasoning skills to explain their independent thinking. They are empowered to be dynamic individuals who lead initiatives that make a positive and impactful contribution to the school and wider community.”

View our latest ISI Report:

2024 – School inspection report 2024 – School inspection report 2024 – School inspection report

Highlights

We are delighted to share some of the other highlights from the report here

A full copy of the September 2024 report can be accessed via the link below.

September 2024 Report September 2024 Report September 2024 Report

Leadership and Culture


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Experienced leaders foster a culture of excellence through harmony, aligning with the school’s motto. Staff are encouraged to prioritise pupil wellbeing, recognising each child’s unique potential to thrive.

Governance and Transition


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Strong communication and continued involvement from former proprietors have ensured stability during the transition to new ownership. Leaders and governors collaborate effectively, making sound decisions and meeting all regulatory standards.

Oracy and Pupil Empowerment


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Leaders set high expectations, with a focus on developing oracy skills that result in articulate, confident pupils. Students express themselves clearly and lead initiatives that positively impact the school and wider community.

Early Years Foundation


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The early years curriculum balances nurturing care with academic challenge, starting with strong oracy development in Nursery. Positive relationships and specialist teaching create a supportive learning environment.

Curriculum and Assessment

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The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to build knowledge and skills, with systematic checks ensuring leaders understand pupil progress. Tools like learning logs personalise learning.

Wellbeing and Emotional Development


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Mental health is a priority, creating a calm and reflective atmosphere where pupils feel happy and supported. Activities like yoga and mindfulness foster emotional regulation and resilience, encouraging confident risk-taking.

Community and Behaviour

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Leaders know pupils well and respond quickly to concerns, supported by open communication and mutual respect. This contributes to excellent behaviour and a strong sense of pride in the school community.

Safeguarding and Record-Keeping


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Leaders maintain a strong safeguarding culture, working closely with external agencies to address risks. Their timely responses and meticulous records ensure pupil safety across all areas.

Policies

View and download our current policies and procedures

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