St Neot's School

St Neot’s Preparatory School, located in Eversley, Hook, Hampshire, is an independent co-educational day school that serves children aged 2 to 13. The school operates as a charitable trust overseen by a board of trustees. Since the last inspection, which took place in September 2019, the school has appointed a new headteacher and a new chair of governors, and it has entered into a strategic partnership with Lord Wandsworth College. The school has a total of 317 pupils, including 74 children in the early years, which comprises two nursery classes and two reception classes.

The school has identified 66 pupils as having special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with two pupils holding an education, health, and care (EHC) plan. Additionally, six pupils speak English as an additional language. St Neot’s aims to foster a culture centered around community and family values, a love of the outdoors, and a commitment to fun. The school strives to ensure that every child feels safe and valued upon entering the school, while also providing a first-class, personalized, and rigorous academic journey complemented by a broad and challenging co-curricular program. The school emphasizes the importance of character, contribution, and service alongside academic success.

The recent inspection report highlights several strengths of the school. Leaders are described as experienced and knowledgeable, effectively promoting pupil wellbeing and responding to feedback from the school community. The school’s values of happiness, kindness, self-belief, honesty, and respect are well understood and appreciated by all members of the community, fostering positive relationships and a culture that prioritizes pupil wellbeing. As a result, pupils report feeling happy and safe at school.

The high standards of behavior among pupils are a significant strength of the school, with positive behavior in the classroom contributing to good progress in learning. Pupils, including those in the early years, work effectively and sensibly together, and recreational time is enjoyed with few disagreements or incidents. The school promotes a family atmosphere, with mixed-age lunch tables encouraging appreciation among pupils of all ages. Incidents of unkindness and bullying are rare, and when they do occur, leaders manage and resolve them swiftly and appropriately.

The curriculum at St Neot’s is broad and appropriate for children and pupils of all ages, incorporating outdoor learning that utilizes the school’s grounds. Many teachers are effective in meeting the individual needs of their pupils through careful planning and reflection on how pupils learn. Pupils with SEND receive effective support from dedicated learning support teachers, although some lessons may limit opportunities for further exploration and extension of learning.

Leaders and governors understand their responsibilities regarding safeguarding, behavior, complaints, and staff recruitment. Most of these processes are carried out effectively, although a few data entry errors in the single central record of appointments indicate that checking processes need to be more rigorous. The school meets all relevant standards related to leadership, management, education quality, pupil wellbeing, social and economic education, and safeguarding.

The quality of education provided at St Neot’s is commendable, with a curriculum that meets the needs of pupils across various subjects, including humanities, physical education, and creative subjects. Outdoor learning activities enhance the curriculum, promoting skills such as teamwork and resilience. Pupils make good progress from their starting points, and the high standards of behavior in the classroom support effective learning. Teachers deliver engaging lessons, although there are instances where the pace and nature of tasks do not always provide sufficient challenge for all pupils, particularly the most able.

In the early years, teaching methods are engaging and effective, leading to good progress in linguistic and mathematical skills. The environment created for outdoor learning encourages children to take considered risks and demonstrate resilience. Pupils with SEND also make good progress due to tailored support and careful teaching. The school implements effective systems for capturing and evaluating data related to pupil progress, and teachers generally use this information to inform future planning.

Pupils are encouraged to develop independence in their learning, and teachers provide guidance for making sensible choices regarding future school applications. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, frequently introducing new opportunities for pupils. Residential trips and dramatic productions further enrich the pupils’ experiences.

Pupils at St Neot’s develop high levels of self-confidence and humility, supported by a well-defined system of praise and reward. The curriculum promotes resilience, adaptability, and decision-making skills, with pupils demonstrating a clear understanding of protected characteristics and respect for diversity. The school fosters a culture of wellbeing, with initiatives such as a wellbeing garden emerging from pupil suggestions.

Pupils exhibit positive behavior throughout the school, understanding the importance of cooperation and self-regulation. Leaders manage incidents of bullying effectively, ensuring that pupils feel safe and supported. The school maintains detailed records of behavioral issues and communicates with parents when necessary.

The physical environment of the school is well-maintained, with classrooms that are bright and inviting. Facilities for specialist subjects are adequately resourced, and pupils are appropriately supervised during school hours. Attendance is high, and leaders monitor patterns to ensure that any issues are addressed promptly.

St Neot’s Preparatory School has established a strong culture of safeguarding, with all staff understanding their responsibilities to promote pupil safety and wellbeing. Regular training and updates ensure that staff are aware of current safeguarding practices. The school has effective procedures for reporting concerns, and leaders act swiftly to address any issues that arise.

Overall, St Neot’s Preparatory School meets all relevant standards and provides a nurturing and enriching environment for its pupils. The school’s commitment to academic excellence, personal development, and community values creates a positive and supportive atmosphere where pupils can thrive.