Kingscourt School

Kingscourt School is an independent co-educational day school located in Catherington, Waterlooville, Hampshire. Established in 1995, it became part of Cognita Schools Ltd in 2015. The school caters to children aged two to eleven, comprising a nursery for three to four-year-olds, a pre-prep section for four to seven-year-olds, and a prep section for seven to eleven-year-olds. The school has undergone significant changes since its last inspection, including new leadership and governance, with a new headteacher starting in January 2023 and a new chair of governors appointed in September 2022. The school has also invested in a purpose-built nursery and refurbished specialist teaching areas.

Kingscourt School aims to inspire each child to strive for excellence in all aspects of school life while fostering a caring, encouraging, and purposeful community within a safe rural environment. The school emphasizes modern teaching and learning combined with good manners, self-discipline, and respect for others, enabling pupils to become happy, self-confident, and resilient individuals. The student body primarily consists of children from professional families in the surrounding rural area. Nationally standardized test data indicates that the pupils' abilities are average compared to their peers nationally. The school has identified 26 pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including dyslexia and dyspraxia, with 18 receiving additional specialist support. Additionally, 15 pupils have English as an additional language, with two receiving specialized assistance. The curriculum is modified for the most able pupils and those talented in specific areas.

The regulatory compliance inspection conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate confirmed that Kingscourt School meets the standards set out in the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 and the relevant requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. The inspection focused on key areas such as safeguarding, health and safety, staff suitability, information provision, complaints handling, and leadership quality. The school was found to have appropriate measures in place to safeguard pupils, promote good behavior, prevent bullying, and ensure health and safety requirements are met. The school maintains accurate admission and attendance registers and has a strategic approach to risk assessment.

The quality of education provided at Kingscourt School is commendable. The school's assessment framework indicates that teaching enables pupils to make good progress. The curriculum is well-documented and supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, covering the required breadth of material. Effective behavior management and suitable resources support teaching, and a framework for assessing pupils' performance is in place. The school provides relationships education and has consulted parents, publishing a written policy statement in line with statutory guidance.

The spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils is actively promoted, fostering responsible, tolerant, and law-abiding citizens. The school meets the standards related to this aspect of education. Arrangements for the welfare, health, and safety of pupils are robust, with measures in place to safeguard and promote their well-being. The school has suitable facilities for medical and therapy needs, and the premises are maintained to a high standard.

The school ensures the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors through appropriate checks and maintains a register as required. The premises and accommodation meet the necessary standards, providing suitable facilities for pupils. A range of information is published and made available to parents, including details about the school's ethos, curriculum, and arrangements for admission, behavior, and exclusions. The school effectively handles parental complaints through a clear three-stage process, maintaining appropriate records of actions taken.

Leadership and management at Kingscourt School demonstrate good skills and knowledge, fulfilling responsibilities effectively to ensure that standards are consistently met. The proprietor actively promotes the well-being of pupils, contributing to a positive school environment.

The educational quality inspection highlighted the excellent academic achievements of pupils across all ages, including those in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Pupils are excellent communicators, expressing themselves with fluency and confidence. They effectively utilize information and communication technology in their learning and demonstrate positive attitudes towards their education. Numeracy skills are highly developed, and pupils apply these skills seamlessly across the curriculum. The overall attainment of pupils is high, with the majority achieving expected or higher levels in standardized tests for English and mathematics.

Pupils' personal development is also excellent, with a strong understanding of how to stay safe and healthy. Their behavior is exemplary, and they show consideration and courtesy towards one another and adults. The school fosters high levels of self-esteem and self-confidence, contributing to a nurturing environment. Recommendations for improvement include providing younger pupils with more opportunities to take responsibility for their learning and enhancing their contributions to the local community.

Pupils develop strong knowledge, understanding, and skills across all areas of the curriculum, supported by high-quality teaching that projects high expectations. They engage in a wide range of academic, sporting, and cultural activities, achieving notable success in various competitions and examinations. The school encourages pupils to express their opinions and engage in higher-order thinking, fostering a culture of inquiry and analysis.

Pupils demonstrate excellent attitudes to learning, showing a willingness to work hard and collaborate effectively. They take pride in their work and engage actively in self-assessment and improvement. The school's ethos, centered on kindness, resilience, and mutual respect, is evident in the daily interactions of pupils, who are encouraged to support one another and contribute positively to the school community.

Overall, Kingscourt School provides a high-quality education that meets the needs of its pupils, fostering their academic, personal, and social development in a supportive and nurturing environment. The school is committed to continuous improvement and ensuring that each pupil reaches their full potential while contributing positively to the wider community.