Woodford Green Preparatory School

Woodford Green Preparatory School, an independent co-educational day school located in the London Borough of Redbridge, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1932. The school moved to its current site in 1935 and operates as a registered charity overseen by a board of governors who also serve as trustees. The school is structured into three sections: the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), phase one for pupils in Years 1 to 3, and phase two for pupils in Years 4 to 6. Since the last inspection, there has been a change in leadership with a new Chair of Governors appointed in April 2021.

The school aims to create an environment where every pupil is nurtured, encouraged to be curious, and inspired to achieve their best. It seeks to foster a love for learning and promote the full development of each pupil within a supportive atmosphere. Most pupils come from families with professional or business backgrounds and live within a five-mile radius of the school. The school’s assessment results indicate that the ability profile of pupils upon entry is above average compared to national standards. The school supports a diverse pupil population, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those for whom English is an additional language (EAL).

The recent focused compliance and educational quality inspection conducted in May 2023 revealed that Woodford Green Preparatory School meets all the standards set out in the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. The inspection covered various aspects, including the quality of education, spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils, welfare, health and safety, suitability of staff, premises, provision of information, handling of complaints, and quality of leadership and management.

The quality of education provided at the school is commendable, with teaching enabling pupils to make good progress. The curriculum is well-documented and supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, covering the required breadth of material. The school has a suitable framework for assessing pupils' performance, and relationships education is provided in accordance with statutory guidance. The inspectors noted that the standards relating to the quality of education are met.

In terms of spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, the school actively promotes principles and values that help pupils develop into responsible and tolerant citizens. The standard for this area is also met. The welfare, health, and safety of pupils are prioritized, with arrangements in place to safeguard and promote their well-being. The school meets health and safety requirements, including fire safety, and has provisions for first aid. The standard relating to welfare, health, and safety is met.

The school ensures the suitability of staff through appropriate checks and maintains a register as required. The standards regarding the suitability of those in contact with pupils are met. The premises and accommodation provided are suitable, with adequate facilities for pupils' medical and therapy needs, and the premises are maintained to a high standard. The standards relating to premises and accommodation are met.

The school publishes a range of information for parents, inspectors, and the Department for Education, including details about the curriculum, admission arrangements, and the complaints procedure. The standard for the provision of information is met. Complaints are handled effectively through a structured process, and records are kept appropriately, meeting the standard for handling complaints.

Leadership and management at Woodford Green Preparatory School demonstrate good skills and knowledge, fulfilling responsibilities effectively to ensure that all standards are consistently met. The standard relating to leadership and management is met.

The educational quality inspection highlighted that the quality of pupils' academic and other achievements is excellent. Pupils of all abilities make significant progress over time, and their performance in entrance examinations to senior schools is outstanding. Throughout the school, pupils exhibit excellent communication skills, both in writing and speaking, and demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning. They show good concentration and are willing to take risks in their learning.

Pupils' personal development is also excellent, with strong self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-discipline, and resilience. They respect diversity and cultural understanding, contributing to a culture of care and kindness within the school community. The school provides a wide range of extracurricular activities, allowing pupils to develop their interests and skills in various areas, including sports, music, and the arts.

The inspectors noted that while the overall quality of education is high, there is a recommendation for the school to ensure that pupils' learning and development are equally rapid across all lessons. The school is advised to continue monitoring and improving the pace and organization of lessons to maximize pupil progress.

In summary, Woodford Green Preparatory School provides a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters academic excellence and personal development. The school meets all regulatory compliance standards and offers a well-rounded education that prepares pupils for their future endeavors. The commitment to high-quality teaching, a broad curriculum, and a strong emphasis on personal development contributes to the overall success of the school and its pupils.