An inspection team from the Independent Schools Inspectorate spent four days at King’s School in Chester.
The team observed lessons, looked at pupils’ work, visited tutor periods, clubs and activities, interviewed staff, management, pupils and governors, and checked all regulatory standards.
Their findings, together with those of a pupil and parental survey, resulted in a fantastic inspection report with nearly every area being given the highest possible grade of ‘excellent’.
Inspectors found the quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning excellent with results well above the national average. Results in IGCSE Maths and Science are higher than the worldwide average. At A-Level, results were above the national average for maintained selective schools.
Pupils were found to have ‘an excellent attitude to learning with high aspirations, studying with tenacity and perseverance’. They were described as ‘notably skilled in working co-operatively and showing genuine intellectual curiosity’. Junior pupils were said to have a bubbling enthusiasm for learning.
The curriculum was described as being ‘supported with a comprehensive range of academic extension enrichment and an extra-curricular programme of over 150 activities which gives pupils the opportunity to challenge themselves’.
Inspectors also said that an innovative enrichment programme helps pupils develop higher order thinking skills and independence.
Teaching was graded excellent with the junior school having ‘a supportive and stimulating learning atmosphere in which pupils are encouraged to embark on new challenges with an expectation that this will be fun and they can succeed’. The senior school teachers were highlighted for their ability to establish excellent relationships and have high expectations of their pupils and offer much help and encouragement.
