The Mount School

The Mount School in Huddersfield is an independent co-educational day school located in a converted family home in the suburbs of Huddersfield. The school is governed by a proprietor and has been under the leadership of its headteacher since 2019. The school caters to children aged 3 to 11 and has a total enrollment of 111 pupils, including 19 in the kindergarten and 92 in the junior section. The school was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in December 2021, following a period of remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mount School aims to provide a wide and challenging education, with a strong emphasis on English and mathematics. It seeks to create a nurturing environment where pupils feel safe and happy, fostering their development into independent and successful learners. The school assesses pupils using standardized tests, indicating that they are of average ability compared to their peers. The student body reflects the diversity of the local area, with no pupils speaking English as an additional language. There are 18 pupils identified with special educational needs or disabilities, who receive support within the classroom, while more able pupils are provided with extension activities to challenge them further.

The inspection report highlights several key findings regarding the school's compliance with the Independent School Standards. The school was found to meet many of the standards related to the quality of education provided, including the documentation of the curriculum and the effectiveness of teaching. Pupils are reported to make good progress, and the school has implemented a framework for assessing their performance. Additionally, the school provides relationships education and has consulted parents on its policy, which aligns with statutory guidance.

However, the report also identifies significant areas of non-compliance, particularly concerning the welfare, health, and safety of pupils. The school was found to have inadequate arrangements for safeguarding, lacking a suitable safeguarding policy at the time of inspection. Although a new policy was drafted during the inspection, it had not been ratified by the proprietor, and staff were unable to demonstrate a clear understanding of the most recent safeguarding requirements. The inspectors noted that while staff are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of pupils, the absence of a robust safeguarding framework is a serious concern.

Furthermore, the school failed to complete all required checks on staff prior to their employment, including disqualification from childcare checks and checks against the barred list. The report indicates that the school could not provide clear evidence that prohibition from teaching checks were conducted before staff appointments. These deficiencies in safeguarding practices are critical, as they directly impact the safety and welfare of the pupils.

In terms of leadership and management, the report indicates that the proprietor has not ensured that the leadership team possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibilities effectively. The leadership has not familiarized itself with the independent school standards regulations, leading to errors in implementation. This lack of understanding has resulted in the failure to meet several standards consistently.

The school was found to meet the standards related to the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils, promoting principles and values that facilitate personal development as responsible citizens. The report also confirms that the school meets the standards regarding the premises and accommodation, ensuring suitable facilities for pupils' medical and therapy needs, as well as adequate outdoor space for physical education.

The provision of information to parents and the handling of complaints were also assessed positively. The school publishes a range of information, including details about its ethos, curriculum, and arrangements for admission and behavior. Complaints are handled effectively through a structured process, with clear time scales and appropriate record-keeping.

Despite meeting some standards, the overall findings indicate that the school does not comply with all required standards, particularly in safeguarding and leadership. The report outlines specific action points for the school to address, including the need for a ratified safeguarding policy, completion of all required staff checks prior to employment, and ensuring that leadership and management undertake necessary training to understand regulatory requirements.

In conclusion, while The Mount School demonstrates strengths in its educational provision and commitment to pupil development, significant deficiencies in safeguarding practices and leadership effectiveness must be addressed urgently. The school is required to take immediate action to remedy these shortcomings to ensure the safety and well-being of its pupils and to comply with the Independent School Standards. The inspection serves as a critical opportunity for the school to reflect on its practices and implement necessary changes to enhance its overall effectiveness and compliance.