School meets exacting standards

AN INDEPENDENT school has successfully met the standards required by the sector's regulator.

Tockington Manor School, in Tockington, was visited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate for a regulatory compliance inspection in January.

The ISI has now published its report on the co-educational day school, which has 273 pupils aged from two to 13 on its roll, divided into a nursery section for two to four-year-old children, a lower school for pupils aged four to seven and upper school for those aged seven to 13.

Inspectors Hilary Wyatt and Richard Raistrick spent two days observing lessons, talking to pupils and looking at their work, as well as attending assemblies and extra-curricular activities. They also held discussions with staff, examined the curriculum and documentation. Questionnaires completed by staff, parents and pupils from both the school and nursery were also taken into consideration.

The report said: "The teaching enables pupils to make good progress, encompasses effective behaviour management and is supported by suitable resources."

The ISI inspectors report on the school’s compliance with the Independent School Standards Regulations and, in Tockington Manor's case, the Early Years Foundation Stage.

All independent schools are required to meet the standards and the findings validate the school's performance in a variety of areas, including: quality of education; the health, safety and welfare of pupils; quality of leadership and management.

The report highlighted the use of the school's 28-acre grounds, saying: "The school strives to make full use of the outdoor spaces around the site to engender a spirit of adventure within the pupils and prepare them with the attitude and aptitude for senior schools and beyond."

This latest report builds on a more comprehensive inspection at the school and nursery in 2018. The ISI’s Educational Quality Inspection Report found that Tockington Manor School produces pupils who “demonstrate self-confidence and self-awareness of the highest quality”.

It also commended the school on the personal development of pupils, which it said was excellent.

Headmaster Stephen Symonds said: "I am incredibly proud of the excellent team effort which resulted in our school meeting every applicable standard required.

"Tockington prides itself on its high standards and this is a testament to our hard work."

The full report can be found at www.tockingtonmanorschool. com/isi-inspection.