St Winefride's Convent School

St Winefride’s School is an independent co-educational day school located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, catering for pupils aged three to eleven. Founded in 1868 by the Sisters of Mercy, the school has a strong historical connection to the convent nearby. It operates as a charitable trust since 1993 and is governed by a board of trustees. The school comprises an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for children aged three to five, an infant section for those aged five to seven, and a junior section for pupils aged seven to eleven. Since the last inspection, the school has appointed two new deputy headteachers.

The school aims to foster an environment where pupils can reach their full potential through an education that emphasizes kindness and mutual respect within a Christian context. It seeks to cultivate awareness of the needs and beliefs of others, preparing pupils to become responsible citizens and valuable members of the community. The student body primarily consists of children from white British heritage and professional family backgrounds, with the school assessing that their overall ability is above average. A small number of pupils have been identified as having special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with additional support provided for those requiring it. The school also caters to more able pupils through tailored challenges in lessons and extracurricular activities.

The regulatory compliance inspection conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) revealed that the school does not meet all required standards as outlined in the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. Key findings indicated that while the school promotes good behavior and has effective measures in place to prevent bullying, there are significant deficiencies in safeguarding practices. The designated safeguarding lead has not received appropriate training, and staff have not been adequately trained in managing peer-on-peer abuse. Additionally, the school has not conducted an annual review of its child protection policies, which is essential for ensuring proper oversight by trustees.

Health and safety measures are in place, but the school has not appointed a competent person to assist with fire safety, nor has it acted on previous fire risk assessment recommendations. The provision for first aid is lacking, as there is no guarantee that a qualified paediatric first aider is present at all times when children are on the premises. The school’s disability access plan does not meet the required standards, failing to outline how it will improve access for disabled pupils.

The inspection also assessed the quality of education provided, finding that the school measures attainment using National Curriculum tests, with results above the national average for maintained schools. The curriculum is well-documented and supported by appropriate plans, enabling pupils to make good progress. However, while the standards relating to the quality of education are met, there are areas for improvement, particularly in the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils. The school actively promotes principles and values that facilitate personal development, but there is room for growth in fostering a deeper understanding of other faiths and cultures.

The educational quality inspection highlighted that pupils’ academic achievements are good, with well-developed literacy and numeracy skills. Pupils demonstrate confidence in using higher-order thinking skills and are successful in competitions and entry to senior schools. However, more able pupils do not always achieve in line with their potential, and their information and communication technology (ICT) skills are limited. The personal development of pupils is also rated as good, with a mature sense of self-awareness and resilience fostered by the supportive environment. Pupils show respect for rules and a strong sense of right and wrong, contributing positively to the school community.

Recommendations for improvement include extending pupils’ ICT skills across the curriculum, ensuring that the most able pupils achieve at the highest levels, and developing a better understanding of different cultures and faiths. The school is encouraged to enable pupils to contribute more widely to the community beyond the school.

Overall, St Winefride’s School provides a nurturing environment that promotes academic success and personal development. However, it must address the identified deficiencies in safeguarding, health and safety, and the provision of adequate support for all pupils to ensure that it meets the required standards consistently. The school’s commitment to fostering a caring and respectful atmosphere is evident, but ongoing efforts are needed to enhance the educational experience and outcomes for all students.