1. Background Information

About the school

1.1 Ipswich Preparatory School is an independent co-educational school, established in 1883 alongside Ipswich School. The two schools were inspected concurrently and are an educational charity, whose directors form their governing body. The preparatory school is managed on a day-to-day basis by its own head, who was appointed in September 2022 and comprises three sections. The upper prep is for pupils aged 7 to 11 years and lower prep is for those aged 4 to 7. The youngest children attend the separate nursery which also accommodates a registered EYFS setting not included in this inspection.

What the school seeks to do

1.2 The school aims to provide a caring environment where pupils feel safe and have a wealth of opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, to help them find their own passions and a love of learning. It seeks to encourage the pupils to develop moral and spiritual values; to embrace a spirit of service within the community; and to equip them with life skills to be happy and successful in school and beyond.

About the pupils

1.3 Pupils come from a range of business and professional backgrounds from the local area and outlying districts. Nationally standardised test data provided by the school indicate that the ability of the pupils is above average, compared with those taking the same tests nationally. It has identified 45 pupils as having special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) which include dyslexia. No pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. English is an additional language for 23 pupils, six of whom require additional support. Data used by the school have identified nine pupils as the most able in the school’s population, and the curriculum is modified for them and for 14 other pupils due to their special talents in languages, sport, music and art.