St Winifred's School

The Gregg Preparatory School, located in Southampton, underwent an inspection from November 14 to November 16, 2023, conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. The school is a co-educational day institution that caters to children aged four to eleven and is part of The Gregg Schools Trust, which also includes a senior school. The inspection aimed to evaluate the extent to which the school meets the statutory Independent School Standards and other applicable regulatory requirements.

The inspection findings revealed that the school has made significant strides in developing the quality of education for its pupils. Leaders have effectively evaluated both academic and extracurricular provisions, leading to the implementation of new initiatives, including a revised curriculum scheme and a program for personal, social, health, and economic education. These efforts are aimed at enhancing pupils' skills, knowledge, and understanding, although it is noted that the impact of these changes is yet to be fully assessed.

Despite these positive developments, the inspection highlighted several areas of concern, particularly regarding governance and safeguarding. The oversight provided by the governors was found to be insufficient, with leaders not consistently fulfilling all their responsibilities. This lack of effective governance has resulted in the school not meeting certain standards related to safeguarding, fire safety, risk assessment, and overall leadership and management.

The school has a broad curriculum that includes a variety of subjects, and leaders recognize the need to improve their oversight of teaching and learning. Recently introduced subject leader roles aim to ensure continuity in the curriculum and support leaders in monitoring teaching effectiveness. Overall, pupils are making good progress from their starting points, particularly in the early years, where a well-planned curriculum enables most children to achieve expected developmental levels.

Support for pupils with English as an additional language has been enhanced, allowing these students to make rapid progress in their language skills. Additionally, the school provides effective support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, enabling them to access the curriculum and achieve good outcomes. The introduction of increased opportunities for music and physical education has also contributed positively to pupils' confidence and skill development.

While health and safety procedures are generally adequate, the inspection identified shortcomings in fire safety arrangements, particularly regarding the training of the appointed person responsible for fire safety. Although training was scheduled during the inspection, the lack of completed training at the time raised concerns. The school has implemented specialist support sessions for pupils with emotional and mental health needs, which have positively impacted their well-being.

The school promotes pupils' social development effectively, encouraging respect and understanding of diverse perspectives. Through initiatives such as the eco-committee and charity events, pupils learn the importance of contributing to society and caring for the environment. Older pupils feel well-prepared for their transition to senior school, and the school fosters leadership skills through various responsibilities and democratic processes.

However, the inspection found that the governors do not maintain effective oversight of safeguarding practices. Leaders failed to follow appropriate procedures for referrals to external agencies and record-keeping of safeguarding concerns. Staff also lacked a clear understanding of low-level concerns and the necessary responses. Although staff receive regular safeguarding training, the need for a revised staff code of conduct to include guidance on low-level concerns was noted.

Pupils generally feel safe at school and know they can approach staff with any worries. The school maintains appropriate recruitment checks for staff and volunteers, ensuring a safe environment for pupils. However, the overall safeguarding arrangements were deemed ineffective, leading to the conclusion that the school does not meet the relevant standards in this area.

In summary, while The Gregg Preparatory School has made commendable progress in enhancing the quality of education and providing a supportive environment for its pupils, significant areas for improvement remain, particularly in governance and safeguarding practices. The school leadership must address these issues to ensure that all statutory standards are consistently met and that the well-being of pupils is actively promoted. The inspection report emphasizes the importance of effective oversight and the need for a comprehensive approach to safeguarding, which is crucial for the safety and welfare of all students.