Westbrook Hay Prep School

Westbrook Hay School is an independent coeducational institution located in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, with a history dating back to its founding in 1892. Originally established as a proprietary boarding school for boys, the school transitioned to its current site in 1963 and became a charitable trust governed by a board of governors in 1983. The school occupies a neo-Georgian mansion that has been adapted for educational use, complemented by modern facilities designed for both middle and lower school students.

The school is registered with the Department for Education, holding the DfE number 919/6021 and the charity number 292537. It serves children aged 2 to 13, with a current enrollment of 329 pupils, comprising 212 boys and 117 girls. The school offers day schooling for all its pupils and has a limited boarding capacity of 10, providing occasional boarding experiences for older students. The lower school, which includes the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), accommodates 95 pupils, while the middle and upper schools cater to 118 and 116 pupils, respectively.

Westbrook Hay School prides itself on its academic performance, with national standardized test data indicating that its pupils perform above average. The school supports 26 pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), focusing on literacy and numeracy assistance. Additionally, three pupils are identified as having English as an additional language (EAL), receiving support to develop their language skills for better access to the curriculum.

The school is organized into three sections: the lower school for EYFS and Year 1, the middle school for Years 2 to 4, and the upper school for Years 5 to 8. Coeducation is maintained until Year 6, after which the school becomes boys-only for Years 7 and 8. The school offers a range of extracurricular activities and occasional boarding experiences, allowing older pupils to experience boarding life through residential stays.

The most recent inspection took place on June 21-22, 2017, conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). The inspection evaluated the school’s compliance with the Independent School Standards Regulations and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools. The report highlighted several areas of strength, including the quality of education provided, the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils, and the welfare, health, and safety measures in place.

However, the inspection also identified areas requiring improvement. The school was found not to meet all required standards, particularly in the areas of staff recruitment checks and the adequacy of boarding accommodation. Specifically, it was noted that recruitment checks on staff were not always completed before employment commenced, which raised concerns regarding safeguarding. Additionally, some boarding accommodation was deemed overcrowded, and not all beds were suitable for the needs of boarders.

The school’s leadership and management were also scrutinized, with the report indicating that the proprietors had not effectively ensured that those in leadership positions demonstrated the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfill their responsibilities. This lack of oversight contributed to the failure to meet several standards consistently.

In terms of the quality of education, the school utilizes its own framework for assessing pupil attainment rather than the national framework. While the curriculum is documented and supported by appropriate plans, the inspectors noted that the school must ensure that all recruitment checks are completed before staff commence employment, particularly for those who supervise or care for boarders.

The school has made provisions for the welfare, health, and safety of its pupils, with effective behavior management strategies in place and measures to prevent bullying. The school maintains proper supervision of pupils and has a strategic approach to risk assessment. However, the report emphasized the need for improvements in the recruitment process to ensure compliance with safeguarding regulations.

The school’s facilities were generally found to be suitable, with adequate toilet, changing, and showering facilities for pupils. However, the boarding accommodation was highlighted as an area needing improvement, with recommendations to enhance the standard of living for boarders.

In summary, Westbrook Hay School is a well-established institution with a strong academic reputation and a commitment to the personal development of its pupils. While the school excels in many areas, particularly in the quality of education and the development of pupils, it faces challenges in compliance with certain standards, particularly regarding staff recruitment and boarding accommodation. The school is encouraged to take immediate action to address these deficiencies to ensure the safety and well-being of all its pupils. The leadership and management must also focus on enhancing their oversight and ensuring that all standards are consistently met to maintain the school’s reputation and effectiveness in providing quality education.