Instituto Espanol Canada Blanch

Instituto Español Vicente Canada Blanch is an independent co-educational day school located in London, catering for children aged 3 to 19. Founded in 1972 in Greenwich to serve the children of Spanish migrants, the school moved to its current location in central London in 1982. The school is owned by the Kingdom of Spain and governed by the Spanish Embassy Educational Attaché, supported by an advisory board. The majority of the teaching staff are from Spain and are appointed on a six-year secondment by the Spanish government. The school comprises four sections: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), primary, secondary, and Bachillerato (sixth form).

Since the previous inspection by Ofsted in February 2019, the school has expanded its age range from 5 to 19 years to 3 to 19 years. The current headteacher, Ms. Nuria Peris Garrido, took up her position in August 2021. This inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) marks the first for the school, with the Spanish inspectorate having conducted its most recent inspection in February 2022. The inspection considered the challenges faced by schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed by government guidance.

The school aims to address the training needs of its pupils and contribute to their integral education, ensuring they can successfully access higher studies in both Spain and the United Kingdom. It seeks to enable pupils to integrate into social life as critical, responsible, participatory, and supportive individuals in both societies. All pupils are either bilingual in English and Spanish, multilingual, or at various stages of learning English or Spanish as an additional language. The school’s assessment data indicates that the ability of pupils upon entry is broadly average compared to national standards. The school has identified six pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including dyslexia, and provides support through classroom teachers. Additionally, 40 pupils have been identified as the most able, and the curriculum is enriched for them.

The ISI inspection confirmed that the school meets the standards set out in the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, as well as the relevant requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. No further action is required following this inspection. In the junior school, the school’s assessment framework indicates that teaching enables pupils to make good progress. In the senior school, assessment results equivalent to GCSE and A level from 2019 to 2021 also confirm that teaching supports good progress.

The curriculum is well-documented, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, covering the required breadth of material. Teaching is effective, incorporates good behavior management, and is supported by suitable resources. Pupils receive relationships education in the junior school and relationships and sex education in the senior school, with a written policy that has been consulted with parents and adheres to statutory guidance.

The standards related to the quality of education are met, and principles and values that promote the personal development of pupils as responsible, tolerant, law-abiding citizens are actively promoted. The standard for spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is also met. The school has established arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils, adhering to current statutory guidance. Good behavior is encouraged, bullying is actively prevented, and health and safety requirements, including fire safety, are met. The school maintains proper supervision of pupils, keeps admission and attendance registers as required, and has a strategic approach to risk assessment, including a disability access plan.

The school conducts appropriate checks to ensure the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors, maintaining a register as required. The standards regarding the suitability of those in contact with pupils are met. The premises provide suitable toilet and changing facilities, as well as accommodation for pupils’ medical and therapy needs. The facilities are maintained to a standard that meets health and safety requirements, with appropriate acoustics, lighting, and water provision. Adequate outdoor space is available for physical education and outdoor play, and the standards related to premises and accommodation are met.

A range of information is published and made available to parents, inspectors, and the Department for Education. This includes details about the proprietor, the school’s ethos, curriculum, admission arrangements, behavior and exclusions policies, health and safety, first aid, the complaints procedure, and the number of complaints registered in the previous school year. The safeguarding policy is accessible on the school’s website, and the standard regarding the provision of information is met.

Parental complaints are handled effectively through a three-stage process: informal, formal, and a hearing before a panel of three, one of whom is independent of the school. Each stage has clear time scales, and the panel can make findings and recommendations communicated to the complainant. Records of complaints and actions taken are maintained appropriately, including whether a complaint was successful, and the standard for handling complaints is met.

The proprietor ensures that leadership and management demonstrate good skills and knowledge, fulfilling their responsibilities effectively to consistently meet the other standards while actively promoting the well-being of pupils. The standard relating to leadership and management is met.

The inspection involved observing lessons, discussions with pupils, examining samples of pupils’ work, and holding discussions with staff and representatives of the proprietary body. Inspectors also observed a sample of extracurricular activities during the inspection period and visited facilities for the youngest pupils, as well as learning support and educational resource areas. They considered responses from parents, staff, and pupils to pre-inspection questionnaires and examined curriculum and other documentation provided by the school.

Overall, the Instituto Español Vicente Canada Blanch demonstrates a commitment to providing a high-quality education and a supportive environment for its pupils, meeting all regulatory compliance standards set forth by the ISI. The school’s focus on bilingual education, personal development, and the well-being of its students reflects its mission to prepare pupils for successful futures in both Spanish and British societies.