Unannounced ISI Inspection September 2016

Dear Parents and Carers

On Friday September 9th 2016 the school and nursery was subject to a gruelling and very thorough unannounced compliance inspection on behalf of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and the Department for Education (DfE).

The inspection focussed on our safeguarding procedures for the children in our care, our record keeping, staff suitability checks, fire protection procedures, risk assessments, health and safety checks and staff induction procedures to name but a few.

I am very pleased to inform you that by the end of their visit, the two inspectors gave the school and nursery a clean bill of health and confirmed that we are fully compliant in all aspects of the requirements laid down by both the ISI and DfE. Indeed, they were very complementary with regard to the thorough nature of our vetting procedures, the quality of the staff induction process, our safeguarding records and staff training. Some were even  described as ‘exemplary.’ They were also very happy that the additional fire prevention works undertaken in the gym met the required standards and that all staff, including leadership and management and the trustees of the school, had been proactive in ensuring that the necessary changes had been effectively introduced and monitored. This, alongside the positive comments made in our 2015 inspection with regard to the quality of teaching and learning, pupil outcomes and pastoral care make us extremely proud and shows that hard work, determination and self-belief, really does bring lasting success!

A report to this effect will now be sent by the inspectors to the DfE, whom no doubt will write to us in due course. In the meantime, please be assured that it is not our intention to rest on our laurels, but that we shall continue to work unceasingly to ensure your children receive the best education and care possible during their time here.

In addition, at a time when an increasing number of schools and nurseries are failing to make the grade and meet the rigorous standards set down by the DfE and the ISI, it is pleasing know that St Joseph’s is not one of them. We are thus, delighted by our achievements and, with your continued support, look forward to building on these both now, and in the months and years to come.

Yours Sincerely

Mr A E Crawshaw / Mrs A Anderson

Posted in General News.