Witham Hall Preparatory School
Witham-on-the-Hill
Bourne
Lincolnshire
PE10 0JJ
Head: Mr Charles Welch
T 01778 590222
An independent school for boys and girls aged from 4 to 13.
Boarding: Yes
Local authority: Lincolnshire
Pupils: 241
Religion: Church of England/Christian
Fees: Day £9,555 - £16,080; Boarding £21,690 pa
FOCUSED COMPLIANCE INSPECTION FOR SCHOOLS WITH RESIDENTIAL PROVISION
WITHAM HALL PREPARATORY SCHOOL
NOVEMBER 2016
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Full Name of School |
Witham Hall Preparatory School |
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DfE Number |
925/6015 |
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Registered Charity Number |
507070 |
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Address |
Witham Hall Preparatory School Witham on the Hill Bourne Lincolnshire PE10 0JJ |
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Telephone Number |
01778 590222 |
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Email address |
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Headmaster |
Mr Charles Welch |
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Chairman of governors |
Mr Jeremy Sharman |
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Age Range |
4 to 13 |
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Total Number of Pupils |
249 |
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Gender of Pupils |
Mixed |
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Number of day pupils |
125 |
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Number of boarders |
124 |
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Pupils' Ability |
Standardised tests indicate that the ability of the pupils is above the national average. |
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Pupils' Needs |
The number of pupils requiring support for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is 40. None has a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care (EHC) plan. They require support with a range of educational difficulties, including dyslexia. No pupils have English as an additional language (EAL). |
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History of the School |
The school was founded in 1959 and became a charitable trust in 1978. It is situated on the outskirts of the village of Witham-on-the-Hill near Bourne in Lincolnshire, standing in its own landscaped grounds. |
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Ownership and Governing Structure |
The school is managed by a board of governors who are appointed by the trust, and whose members include trustees. |
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School Structure |
The school comprises two sections; the pre-prep for pupils aged 4 to 8 which includes children aged 4 to 5 who are in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and the prep for pupils aged 8 to 13. |
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Inspection Dates |
29 to 30 November 2016 |
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Other Useful Information: |
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The registration authority for independent schools is the Department for Education (DfE), which directs inspection according to a specified frequency or at any time where the DfE has particular concerns about a school. The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the body approved by the Secretary of State for the purpose of inspecting schools which are, or whose heads are, in membership of the associations which form the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and reporting on the extent to which they meet the Independent School Standards (“the standards”) in the Schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. Accordingly, inspection records whether the school meets each of these standards, which are arranged in eight Parts, each of which is divided into separate paragraphs. The inspection of schools that have early years settings not requiring registration similarly records whether the school complies with key provisions of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, and for registered settings the full range of the Early Years Foundation Stage provisions is considered. Additionally, the inspection reports on the school's accessibility plan under Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 and the ban on corporal punishment under section 548 of the Education Act 1996. It comments on the progress made by the school in meeting the compliance action points set out in the school's most recent statutory inspection.
This inspection also contains specific judgements on the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools (“boarding NMS”). It also comments on the progress made by the school in meeting the compliance action points set out in the most recent statutory boarding inspection and it judges the extent to which the school currently meets the boarding NMS. It identifies any standards which the school does not meet and requires action to meet them. Findings are distributed across sections relating to the eight Parts of the standards.
All association independent schools will have an inspection within three years from April 2016, in accordance with the Framework. The inspection may be of COMPLIANCE ONLY or of EDUCATIONAL QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE depending on a number of factors, including findings from their most recent inspection. Schools judged not to meet the standards, including the boarding NMS, following their inspection may also be subject to a progress monitoring visit before their next routine inspection. The progress monitoring visit will judge whether the school has taken the necessary action to meet any un-met standards and any qualitative concerns identified at their previous inspection.
This is a COMPLIANCE ONLY inspection and as such reports only on the school's compliance with the standards, including the boarding NMS. The standards represent minimum requirements and judgements are given either as met or as not met. All schools are required to meet all the standards applicable to them. Where the minimum requirements are not met this is clearly indicated in the relevant section of the report and the school is required to take the actions specified. In this focused compliance inspection, key regulations and standards have been inspected in detail. These are the regulations on safeguarding; measures to guard against bullying; arrangements for pupils' health and safety; arrangements to check the suitability of staff; the provision of information to parents; the handling of parents' complaints; and other related aspects of leadership and management, together with the NMS covering the same areas. The remaining standards and requirements will be deemed to be met unless evidence to the contrary is found.
The inspection does not include matters that are outside of the regulatory framework described above, such as:
(i) the school's aims;
(ii) an exhaustive health and safety audit;
(iii) compliance with data protection requirements;
(iv) an in-depth examination of the structural condition of the school, its services or other physical features;
(v) contractual arrangements with parents;
(vi) an investigation of the financial viability of the school or its accounting procedures.
Where necessary, National Curriculum nomenclature is used to refer to year groups. Links to the full regulations and requirements can be found here: The Independent School Standards Regulations, National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework.
Witham Hall School (Compliance Inspection)
The school meets the standards in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools 2015, and relevant requirements of the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and associated requirements and no further action is required as a result of this inspection.
The school uses its own framework to determine attainment, instead of the national framework.
The curriculum is documented, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work for the pupils and covers the required breadth of material. The teaching enables pupils to make good progress, encompasses effective behaviour management and is supported by suitable resources. A suitable framework for the assessment of pupil performance is in place.
The standards relating to the quality of education [paragraphs 1 - 4] are met.
Principles and values are actively promoted which facilitate the personal development of pupils as responsible, tolerant, law-abiding citizens. Boarders' views are actively encouraged and their opinions and concerns are appropriately considered by staff. Any prefect system operating in the school is suitably managed.
The standard relating to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development [paragraph 5] and NMS 17 and 19 are met.
Arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils by means that pay due regard to current statutory guidance; good behaviour is promoted; bullying is prevented so far as reasonably practicable; health and safety requirements are met, including those relating to fire safety; provision is made for first aid. Pupils are properly supervised; admission and attendance registers are maintained, as required, and there is a strategic approach to risk assessment. A disability access plan is in place.
An appropriate induction process for pupils new to boarding is implemented, and suitable provision is made for boarders' medical and health care, their food and drink and for managing boarders' laundry and possessions. Boarders have suitable contact with friends and family and access to a programme of activities. Boarding staff are appropriately trained and deployed.
The standards relating to welfare, health and safety [paragraphs 6 - 16], the requirement of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010, the ban on corporal punishment under section 548 of the Education Act 1996, and NMS 2 - 4, 6 - 12, 15 and 16 are met.
Witham Hall School (Compliance Inspection)
The school makes appropriate checks to ensure the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors and a register is kept as required. Visitors to boarding accommodation are appropriately supervised.
The standards relating to the suitability of those in contact with pupils at the school [paragraphs 17 - 21] and NMS 14 are met.
Suitable toilet, changing and showering facilities for pupils and appropriate accommodation for their medical needs are provided. The premises are maintained to a standard commensurate with health and safety; acoustics and lighting are appropriate; water provision is adequate. Suitable outdoor space is provided for physical education and outdoor play. Boarding accommodation is adequate for the needs of all boarders, and safeguards and promotes their welfare.
The standards relating to the premises and accommodation [paragraphs 22 - 31] and NMS 5 are met.
A range of information is variously published, provided or made available to parents, inspectors and the Department for Education. These include details about the proprietor, the ethos of the school and the curriculum, and of the school's arrangements for admission, behaviour and exclusions, bullying, health and safety, first aid, details of the complaints procedure, and the number of complaints registered under the formal procedure during the preceding school year. They also include particulars of the school's academic performance during the preceding school year, inspection reports and (for parents only) a report at least annually of their own child's progress. The safeguarding policy is posted on the school's website. A suitable statement of boarding principles and practice is published by the school.
The standard relating to the provision of information [paragraph 32] and statement of boarding principles [NMS 1] are met.
Parental complaints, if any, are handled effectively through a three stage process, (informal, formal and a hearing before a panel of three, one of whom is independent of the school). Each stage has clear time scales, and at the third stage the panel can make findings and recommendations which are communicated to the complainant. Records are kept appropriately, including of any action taken, whether or not a complaint is successful, and identifying those relating to the boarding provision.
The standard relating to the handling of complaints [paragraph 33] and NMS 18 are met.
Witham Hall School (Compliance Inspection)
The proprietor ensures that the leadership and management demonstrate good skills and knowledge, and fulfil their responsibilities effectively, so that the other standards are consistently met and they actively promote the wellbeing of the pupils. Appropriate leadership and management of boarding ensure that the required policies and records are maintained and effectively monitored.
The standard relating to leadership and management of the school [paragraph 34] and NMS 13 is met.
The inspectors conducted formal interviews with pupils. They held discussions with senior members of staff and with the chairman of governors. Inspectors visited the facilities for sick or injured pupils. The responses of parents and pupils to pre-inspection questionnaires were analysed, and the inspectors examined regulatory documentation made available by the school.
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Linda Donowho |
Reporting Inspector |
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Benita Ogg |
Compliance Team Inspector (Bursar, IAPS school) |
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Christopher Sparrow |
Boarding Inspector (Head of boarding IAPS school) |
© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2017
November 2016
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