Vinehall
CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY, BOARDING SCHOOL AND NURSERY FOR CHILDREN AGED 2-13 YEARS
“Pupils have excellent attitudes towards learning, nurtured by high expectations and the mutually supportive, inclusive and enabling culture of the school” INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE REPORT JANUARY 2018
Independent Schools Inspectorate report: Vinehall School I am delighted to share with you the findings of the ISI in their recent inspection of Vinehall. What is so deeply satisfying is that the core values of the school and the kind nature of our children were instinctively recognised and duly praised. My gratitude must go to all of the staff at Vinehall whose loyalty and enthusiasm are at the centre of the our children’s happiness and achievement. This booklet is intended to encapsulate areas of the report that reflect so accurately the Vinehall that we all know; and that we are excellent in all areas! A full copy of the ISI report can be found on our website, www.vinehallschool.com. Kind regards Joff Powis BSc (Leeds) QTS NPQH Headmaster
Academic Achievements “The quality of the pupils’ academic achievements is excellent.” “PUPILS ARE NOT AFRAID TO TAKE RISKS AND GET THINGS WRONG... THEIR READINESS TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER’S LEARNING IS A PARTICULAR STRENGTH”.
“All pupils are successful at gaining entry to senior schools of their choice and many regularly gain academic scholarships and music, performing arts and sports awards.” “PUPILS ACHIEVE HIGH STANDARDS… DUE TO EXEMPLARY ATTITUDES AND THEIR OVERWHELMING ENTHUSIASM.”
“Children enjoy debate and discussion... often expressing themselves passionately and thoughtfully.” “PUPILS WELCOME OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ACTIVE LEARNERS...”
“Pupils show a profound sense of awe and joy of learning”
“Less able pupils and those with SEND or EAL make excellent progress because they are extremely well supported.”
Nursery and Pre-Prep “FROM THE EARLY YEARS ONWARDS PUPILS ACHIEVE HIGH STANDARDS ACROSS THE BROAD CURRICULUM.”
“Reading is of a high quality and thoroughly enjoyed from the Early Years onwards. “IN THE EARLY YEARS, CHILDREN USE NUMBER IN THEIR PLAY WITH CONFIDENCE AND ENJOYMENT.”
“Pupils throughout the school, including the very youngest, are highly self-confident, motivated and selfaware. “ “PUPILS WRITE WITH ENTHUSIASM AND A HIGH LEVEL OF ABILITY. IN THE EARLY YEARS, CHILDREN SOON BECOME CONFIDENT WRITERS WHO USE THEIR WELLDEVELOPED PHONIC SKILLS EFFECTIVELY.”
“Pupils welcome opportunities to be active rather than passive learners………… their readiness to support each other’s learning is a particular strength; their eagerness to collaborate with their peers is consistent throughout the school.”
From an early age, pupils’ communication skills and collaborative work are excellent.
Co-Curricular Success “THE QUALITY OF THE PUPILS’ OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IS EXCELLENT.”
“Pupils are proud of their many individual achievements and those of others.” “FROM AN EARLY AGE THEY BEGIN TO RECORD THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR THE SHIELD THAT EVERY PUPIL MAKES WHEN LEAVING THE SCHOOL.”
“Pupils talk with infectious enthusiasm about the many lively creative and musical activities in which they excel.” “THEIR MANY PERFORMANCES PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN SCHOOL LIFE AND PUPILS EAGERLY ACKNOWLEDGE EACH OTHER’S SUCCESSES.”
“In art pupils were able to communicate using wideranging specialist terms when describing their own work and the art they were reviewing.” They are indeed articulate, self-confident and fluent speakers for whom discourse is a regular learning tool within the classroom.
“SPORTS SUCCESSES ARE MANY AND INCLUDE SWIMMING, ATHLETICS, FOOTBALL, NETBALL AND HOCKEY, WITH INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS ALSO IN KARATE AND GYMNASTICS.”
Personal Development “The quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent.” “THE SCHOOL MOTTO, ‘TO DO OUR BEST FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS’, UNDERPINS PUPILS’ DETERMINATION... THIS HELPS TO SUSTAIN THE EXCELLENT CULTURE OF RESPECT AND CARE THAT PERVADES THE SCHOOL.”
“Pupils know how they should behave and appreciate that it is their responsibility to create a harmonious ethos.” “THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL THERE IS A SENSE OF ENJOYMENT AND TOGETHERNESS WHICH PERMEATES ALL THAT PUPILS DO. THE BOARDING EXPERIENCE FOR OLDER PUPILS IS A STRONG FACTOR IN THIS AND KNITS PUPILS TOGETHER AS A TIGHT FAMILY BODY WITHIN THE SCHOOL.”
“Self-reflection is an integral part of lessons and pupils regularly celebrate their own achievements and those of their peers.” “PUPILS’ SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING IS EXCELLENT AND PERVADES ALL ASPECTS OF SCHOOL LIFE. PUPILS VALUE THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THE ASSEMBLIES AND THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY IT CREATES.”
Throughout the school there is a sense of enjoyment and togetherness which permeates all that pupils do.
Boarding “Pupils are self-confident and motivated. This is particularly well-developed through boarding.” “COLLABORATION AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER IS A KEY FEATURE IN BOARDING LIFE.”
“Pupils strongly value diversity within society and treat everyone equally. This is seen in the way that overseas pupils feel included and welcomed, in the friendships across cultures …” “PUPILS’ OUTSTANDING AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION OF DIVERSITY IS PROMOTED BY FOCUSED AND COMMITTED STAFF WHO ACT AS EXCELLENT ROLE MODELS.”
Support of one another is at the heart of the boarding community and new boarders quickly settle in and enjoy boarding life.
“Boarders say that the boarding experience increases their independence and personal skills in readiness for full-time boarding in senior schools.”
Vinehall School, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5JL www.vinehallschool.com 01580 880413