The Children's House Upper School

The Children’s House School, an independent co-educational day school located in Islington, north London, was established in 1973 by a group of parents. It operates as a registered charity overseen by a board of governors and caters to children aged two to seven years. The school comprises two sites: a nursery for children aged two and a half to four and an upper school for pupils from Reception to Year 3. The school aims to provide a nurturing environment that emphasizes pastoral care, individualized learning, and a broad, creative curriculum. It seeks to foster self-confidence, self-awareness, and a passion for lifelong learning among its pupils while instilling respect for others and the environment.

The recent inspection conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in January 2023 highlighted several key findings regarding the school’s compliance with regulatory standards. The inspection focused on various aspects, including the quality of education, spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, welfare, health and safety, suitability of staff, premises, provision of information, handling of complaints, and quality of leadership and management.

The school’s educational framework was found to enable pupils to make good progress, supported by a documented curriculum and effective teaching practices. The curriculum covers the required breadth of material, and pupils receive relationships education in line with statutory guidance. However, while the standards related to the quality of education were met, the inspection revealed deficiencies in other areas, particularly concerning safeguarding and recruitment processes.

The school promotes the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of its pupils effectively. Principles and values are actively encouraged, helping pupils grow into responsible and tolerant citizens. The standard relating to this aspect was deemed met, reflecting the school’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment where pupils learn to distinguish right from wrong.

In terms of welfare, health, and safety, the school promotes good behavior and has measures in place to prevent bullying. Health and safety requirements are generally met, including fire safety and first aid provisions. However, the inspection identified significant shortcomings in the recruitment checks for new staff. It was noted that not all necessary checks were completed before staff commenced employment, particularly concerning barred list checks and checks against the list of those prohibited from management. This lack of compliance raises concerns about the safety and welfare of pupils.

The oversight of safeguarding by the governors was found to be insufficiently robust, particularly regarding recruitment checks. The school has a disability access plan in place, and while the standards related to welfare, health, and safety were mostly met, the deficiencies in safeguarding practices were significant enough to warrant immediate action.

The inspection also assessed the suitability of staff and proprietors. While the school maintains an appropriate register of recruitment checks, it was noted that not all required checks were completed in a timely manner. This included checks of medical fitness and confirmation of the right to work in the UK. The lack of clear evidence regarding recruitment checks on governors further compounded the issues identified.

The premises of the school were found to be suitable, with adequate facilities for pupils’ medical and therapy needs, as well as appropriate outdoor space for physical education and play. The standards relating to the premises and accommodation were met, indicating that the physical environment supports the educational objectives of the school.

In terms of information provision, the school publishes a range of information for parents and inspectors, including details about the curriculum, admissions, behavior policies, and the complaints procedure. This standard was also met, demonstrating the school’s commitment to transparency and communication with stakeholders.

The handling of complaints was found to be effective, with a clear three-stage process in place. Records of complaints and actions taken are maintained appropriately, ensuring that parental concerns are addressed in a structured manner.

However, the quality of leadership and management was identified as an area needing improvement. The proprietor was found not to ensure that leadership demonstrates the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfill responsibilities effectively. This lack of oversight has implications for the school’s ability to consistently meet the required standards, particularly in safeguarding and recruitment processes.

The inspection concluded with several action points for the school to address. These include ensuring that all required recruitment checks are completed before staff commence work, conducting adequate risk assessments when DBS checks are delayed, and ensuring that governors maintain effective oversight of safeguarding practices. The school must also ensure that all governors are checked against the list of those prohibited from management before appointment.

In summary, while The Children’s House School demonstrates strengths in its educational provision and the personal development of pupils, significant concerns regarding safeguarding and recruitment practices must be addressed. The school’s leadership must take immediate action to rectify these deficiencies to ensure the safety and well-being of its pupils and to maintain compliance with regulatory standards. The proposed increase in the age range of pupils will require careful planning and implementation to ensure that the school can meet the needs of older pupils while maintaining the quality of education and safeguarding practices.