St Anne's School

St Anne’s School, established in 1925, is a small independent co-educational institution located in the heart of Chelmsford, Essex. The school is owned by a limited company, which delegates the day-to-day management to the headteacher and the school business manager. The school comprises three sections: the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), pre-prep for Years 1 and 2, and prep for Years 3 to 6. The current headteacher has been in position since September 2019.

The school aims to foster a happy, secure, and stimulating learning environment where all members of the school community can grow in confidence and reach their full potential. It seeks to nurture and support all abilities, helping every child achieve their potential across all areas of learning while equipping them with the resilience and perseverance needed to become creative and independent thinkers in an ever-changing world.

Pupils at St Anne’s come from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, primarily from families residing within a 15-mile radius of the school. Assessment data indicates that the pupils' abilities are above average compared to national standards. The school has identified 14 pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), all of whom receive additional support, while six pupils speak English as an additional language (EAL). The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of the most able pupils within the school.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) conducted a focused compliance inspection combined with an educational quality inspection in November 2022. The inspection aimed to assess the school's adherence to the Independent School Standards and the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. The key findings revealed that the school does not meet all required standards, particularly in safeguarding and the suitability of staff.

In terms of educational quality, the school provides a curriculum that enables pupils to make good progress. National Curriculum tests from 2018 to 2022 confirm that teaching supports pupils' academic achievements. The curriculum is well-documented and includes appropriate plans and schemes of work, covering the required breadth of material. Pupils receive relationships education, and the school has consulted parents to publish a written policy in line with statutory guidance.

The spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils is actively promoted, facilitating their growth as responsible and tolerant citizens. The school meets the standards related to this aspect of education.

Welfare, health, and safety measures are generally effective, with good behavior promoted and bullying prevented. However, the inspection noted that safeguarding arrangements do not always align with current statutory guidance, particularly regarding the timely completion of barred list checks for staff. The proprietor's oversight of safeguarding policies and practices was also found to be lacking.

The inspection highlighted deficiencies in the suitability checks for staff, with the single central register not being maintained as required. The school must ensure that identity and right-to-work checks are completed before staff commence employment and accurately recorded in the single central register.

The premises and accommodation at St Anne’s School meet the required standards, providing suitable facilities for pupils' medical and therapy needs, as well as adequate outdoor space for physical education and play. The school publishes a range of information for parents, including details about the curriculum, admissions, behavior, and health and safety arrangements.

Complaints from parents are handled effectively through a structured three-stage process, and the school maintains appropriate records of complaints and actions taken.

Leadership and management at the school require improvement, as the proprietor does not ensure that governance demonstrates the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the required standards consistently. The leadership must actively promote the well-being of pupils and ensure that all standards are met.

The educational quality inspection revealed that the quality of pupils' academic achievements is excellent. Pupils exhibit strong verbal and listening skills, high numeracy, and excellent creative abilities. They demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning and relish opportunities for independent work. The quality of personal development is also excellent, with pupils showing a strong understanding of cultural diversity and demonstrating strong moral development.

The school is advised to strengthen the ability of all groups of pupils to work with increasing independence and initiative across all subjects. Pupils of all ages have excellent communication skills and are well-prepared for future educational opportunities, with many gaining places at their first-choice grammar or independent schools.

Pupils engage in various extracurricular activities, achieving success in sports and the arts. The school has received recognition for its sports participation and has seen individual pupils excel in music and drama.

Overall, St Anne’s School provides a nurturing environment that promotes academic excellence and personal development. However, it must address the identified compliance issues, particularly in safeguarding and staff suitability, to ensure the continued well-being and safety of its pupils. The school’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community is evident, and with the necessary improvements, it can further enhance the quality of education it provides.