Collingwood School

Collingwood School is a co-educational day school located in Wallington, Surrey, catering for children aged 2 to 11 years. Founded in 1929 as a boys' school, it transitioned to a co-educational institution in 1991. The school has been operating from its current site in the London borough of Sutton since 2012. Over the years, Collingwood School has become part of the Inspired Learning Group, which oversees its management and educational framework. The current headteacher, Mr. Leigh Hardie, was appointed in April 2017, and the school has since revised its curriculum and timetable to enhance educational delivery.

The school aims to nurture, challenge, and inspire every child to achieve their best while instilling core values of care, courtesy, and consideration within a supportive community. It strives to provide a high-quality education that fosters a love of learning through a structured, broad, and balanced curriculum, preparing pupils for their future educational endeavors. Most students come from the local area and represent a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds. The school assesses that its pupils' abilities are above average, with 21 students identified as having special educational needs and/or disabilities, receiving additional support as necessary.

The regulatory compliance inspection conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate confirmed that Collingwood School meets the standards set forth in the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. The inspection focused on various aspects, including the quality of education, spiritual and moral development, welfare and safety, staff suitability, premises, information provision, complaint handling, and leadership quality. The findings indicated that the school effectively promotes good behavior, safeguards pupils, and maintains health and safety standards, including fire safety and first aid provisions. The school has a disability access plan in place and ensures that admission and attendance registers are properly maintained.

In terms of educational quality, the school employs its own framework for assessing pupil attainment, which is distinct from the national framework. The curriculum is well-documented and supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, covering a breadth of material that enables pupils to make good progress. The teaching methods employed are effective, with a focus on behavior management and suitable resources. The school has established a framework for assessing pupil performance, ensuring that the standards related to educational quality are met.

The spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils is actively promoted, fostering responsible and tolerant citizens. The school emphasizes the importance of personal development, and the standards in this area are met. Arrangements for safeguarding and promoting pupil welfare are robust, with measures in place to prevent bullying and ensure health and safety compliance. The school has made appropriate checks to ensure the suitability of staff and maintains a register as required.

The premises and accommodation provided by the school are suitable, with adequate facilities for pupils' medical and therapy needs. The school maintains a high standard of health and safety, ensuring that acoustics, lighting, and water provision are appropriate. Outdoor spaces are available for physical education and play, meeting the standards set for school premises.

Collingwood School effectively provides a range of information to parents, inspectors, and the Department for Education, including details about the school's ethos, curriculum, admission arrangements, behavior policies, and the complaints procedure. The school has a clear process for handling parental complaints, which is structured into three stages: informal, formal, and a hearing before an independent panel. Records of complaints and actions taken are maintained appropriately.

The leadership and management of the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge, fulfilling their responsibilities effectively to ensure that the standards are consistently met. The proprietor actively promotes the well-being of pupils and supports the leadership team in their efforts to maintain high educational standards.

The educational quality inspection highlighted that the quality of pupils' academic and other achievements is good. Pupils are articulate and confident speakers, capable of writing effectively for various purposes. They make good progress across all abilities, including those with special educational needs and English as an additional language. Pupils exhibit excellent attitudes toward learning, although there are opportunities for further development of higher-order thinking skills.

Pupils' personal development is rated as excellent, with their behavior reflecting a sensitive awareness of others' needs. They possess a well-developed sense of right and wrong and actively engage with local charities, demonstrating a strong understanding of safety and health. The school is advised to encourage all pupils, particularly the more able, to develop their higher-order thinking skills further.

The inspection evidence indicates that pupils achieve well in various subjects, with many exceeding national expectations in literacy and mathematics. The school does not participate in National Curriculum tests, but its own assessment data shows above-average attainment. Pupils in the Early Years Foundation Stage make good progress, with most achieving a good level of development by the end of Reception.

Pupils demonstrate good levels of knowledge, skills, and understanding across all areas of learning, supported by skilled teaching and a carefully planned curriculum. They are competent users of information and communication technology, with opportunities to engage in investigative projects. The school emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills, fostering a learning environment where pupils are encouraged to take risks and develop independence.

Pupils' contributions to the school and local community are commendable, with older pupils taking on leadership roles and responsibilities. They actively participate in school events and initiatives, demonstrating a strong sense of social responsibility. The school promotes cultural awareness and appreciation, encouraging pupils to respect and celebrate diversity within their community.

Overall, Collingwood School provides a nurturing and challenging environment that supports the academic and personal development of its pupils. The school meets regulatory standards and is committed to continuous improvement, ensuring that all pupils are well-prepared for their future educational journeys. The positive feedback from parents and the community reflects the school's dedication to fostering a supportive and enriching learning atmosphere.