ISI Report 2023

PUPILS TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORK AND BY THE TIME THEY LEAVE SCHOOL, THEY HAVE WELL DEVELOPED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT PREPARE THEM FOR THEIR NEXT STEPS IN LIFE.

In 2023 the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) introduced a new inspection framework. This framework no longer includes one-word classifications such as excellent, good, or satisfactory. Instead, ISI inspection reports include a statement on the extent to which The Independent School Standards and other relevant standards (collectively referred to in this Framework as ‘the Standards’) are met. Last November we welcomed a team from the ISI to the School for an inspection under the new Framework. During this process, the inspection team reviewed every aspect of life at our School – and we are generally very pleased with the outcome.

It is a pleasure to share that our School met all of the Standards across the three sections that are directly focused on the education that our pupils receive. The hugely positive feedback in these areas is a real testament to the strength of our community.

The strength of the positive relationships between our staff and pupils was also celebrated as being a hallmark of Walthamstow Hall. Lessons were found to be creative and engaging, and inspectors remarked that pupils are “challenged to think deeply”. Our extensive co-curricular programme was also noted as a real strength of our School. As a result of all that we do, the inspectors found that our pupils achieve academic outcomes that are above what would ordinarily be predicted based upon their starting points. The full report praises almost every area of school life here.

A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY PERVADES THE SCHOOL. PUPILS OF ALL AGES ENJOY THEIR TIME AT SCHOOL, BEHAVE WELL AND ARE ENGAGED IN THEIR LEARNING.

Inspectors found there was a very strong culture of safeguarding at Walthamstow Hall. However, they raised a small number of very specific issues linked to the administration of our policies and procedures around the recruitment of new staff. Despite all other aspects of safeguarding being strong, this meant that we were found not to have met the Standard for safeguarding. Due to the inspection framework, this automatically meant that we were also found not to have met the Standard for management, leadership and governance.

It is important to stress that no recent safeguarding administration issues were raised by the inspectors, and that we have already implemented additional training and workshops to indicate our ongoing commitment to strong safer recruitment processes.

We will welcome the inspectors back for a brief visit to this wonderful School (probably early in the Autumn term) in the full knowledge that our safer recruitment processes are operating robustly.

The full report can be read below.

ISI REPORT FOR WALTHAMSTOW HALL 2023

ISI Report for Walthamstow Hall 2019