ISI Report Summary 2022

Rated Excellent by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in November 2022

FROM THE HEADMASTER

I have been truly humbled by the feedback from the ISI Inspectors who visited our school in November 2022. They were effusive and sincere in their praise, ensuring staff and pupils received the recognition they deserve. I am so incredibly proud of them all.

At Elstree, we believe in the importance of a proper childhood. We aim to provide a safe, inspiring and happy environment where every child has a sense of their worth, whatever area of school life they excel in. We proudly combine academic ambition with outstanding co-curricular opportunities, ensuring we equip pupils with the skills, knowledge and character they will need to serve their community and thrive in our ever-changing world.

Having interviewed over 40 staff and 100 children from across the Pre-Prep and Prep school, conducting surveys of parents, staff and pupils in Years 3 to 8 and observing

a significant number of lessons, the ISI were thorough in their assessment. By joining us in assemblies, at mealtimes, sports practice, boarding clubs, musical groups and creative arts, they experienced Elstree in its fullest sense.

I am delighted that the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements and the quality of pupils’ personal development at Elstree has been awarded the highest accolade – EXCELLENT – in both categories.

I am very grateful to the pupils, families and teaching staff who make up the Elstree community - thank you for your support.

Sid Inglis Headmaster

ISI REPORT 2022 HIGHLIGHTS

Pupils demonstrate extremely high levels of respect, courtesy, honesty, loyalty, fairness and service, fulfilling the school’s ethos to promote these.

Pupils demonstrate extremely high levels of attainment. The quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.

Pupils of all age groups are resilient, self-confident learners who make excellent use of prior learning to analyse and hypothesise across a wide range of subjects.

Pupils demonstrate excellent self-knowledge and understanding of their own strengths and areas for improvement. The quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Pupils enjoy excellent levels of success in gaining places, often with scholarships or other awards, at selective senior schools.

Pupils make excellent progress in the development of their knowledge, skills and understanding. They use their prior knowledge and achievements extremely successfully to achieve high standards across a broad range of subjects, across all age levels.

High levels of achievement are the result of the inclusive balance and breadth of the curriculum, very well-planned teaching by capable, enthusiastic and committed staff, and the provision of different tasks designed to suit the needs of individuals.

Pupils have an outstanding attitude to learning. They are enthusiastic, highly motivated and consistently eager to learn.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Pupils face challenges head on, striving to improve and endeavouring to understand themselves. This is due to a positive learning environment that promotes self-esteem, self-confidence, discipline and resilience highly successfully.

Pupils throughout the school say that they are free to express their individual identity and character knowing they will be treated with due respect from others.

Pupils fully understand the importance of supporting others and do so in their day-to-day actions.

Pupils understand and appreciate the importance of taking responsibility for their own behaviour. As a result, behaviour across the school is excellent.

CO-CURRICULAR & BOARDING

The academic and other achievements of the pupils are amply supported by the breadth of the curriculum and the extra-curricular programme. This success is strongly supported by teaching from specialist staff and access to purpose built and high-quality facilities and resources.

The school put much emphasis on fulfilling individual potential by initially identifying and then developing pupils’ individual skills and talents.

Pupils enjoy the opportunities provided by the extensive grounds whilst having a strong sense of how to stay safe.

Boarders stated clearly that there is a very strong social collaboration and sense of community in the boarding house. Pupils commented that new boarders are quickly and sensitively welcomed into the close-knit community.

Elstree School is highly successful in meeting its aims of providing a first class all-round education, while embedding the values of hard work, kindness to others and making the most of opportunities. This is thanks to an excellent curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities and to excellent teaching, which inspires and motivates pupils to want to learn.