Chandlings

Chandlings Preparatory School, located near Oxford, is a co-educational day school founded in 1994. It is part of the Prep Schools Trust, which manages five schools. The school aims to create a friendly and vibrant community where pupils feel happy, secure, and confident. It provides a challenging educational experience through a broad and balanced curriculum, fostering a lifelong love of learning. The school emphasizes strong partnerships with parents and aims to build self-belief, curiosity, resilience, and leadership skills among its pupils.

The school serves a diverse population of 310 pupils aged 2 to 11, coming from various professional backgrounds and geographical areas. The ability level of the pupils is above average compared to national standards. The school has identified 50 pupils with special educational needs or disabilities, providing them with additional support. English is an additional language for 38 pupils, with some receiving extra help to improve their language skills. The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of more able pupils and those with specific talents in areas such as sports, music, drama, and art.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate conducted a focused compliance and educational quality inspection in June 2023. The inspection assessed the school's adherence to the Independent School Standards and the quality of education provided. The findings indicated that the school meets all regulatory standards, with no further action required. The quality of education is deemed good, with effective teaching enabling pupils to make good progress. The curriculum is well-documented and covers the required breadth of material, supported by appropriate resources and assessment frameworks.

The school promotes spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, encouraging pupils to become responsible and tolerant citizens. The welfare, health, and safety of pupils are prioritized, with measures in place to safeguard their well-being. The school maintains appropriate checks to ensure the suitability of staff and provides suitable facilities for pupils' medical and therapy needs. The premises are well-maintained, and the school meets health and safety requirements.

The school provides a range of information to parents, including details about the curriculum, admission procedures, and the complaints process. Complaints are handled effectively through a structured process, ensuring transparency and accountability. The leadership and management of the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge, fulfilling their responsibilities effectively.

The educational quality inspection highlighted the excellent academic achievements of pupils. They are skilled communicators, using their language skills across the curriculum and demonstrating high levels of confidence. The curriculum is varied and stimulating, allowing pupils to identify their strengths and interests. Pupils excel in using IT skills to support their learning, and their personal development is also rated as excellent. They exhibit positive attitudes towards learning, high self-esteem, and maturity in self-discipline.

The school encourages pupils to take ownership of their learning and develop higher-order thinking skills. Recommendations from the inspection suggest further enhancing opportunities for pupils to use their initiative in their learning. The academic attainment of pupils is consistently high, with many achieving a good level of development by the end of the early years setting. Standardized test scores in English and mathematics are above national norms, and pupils with special educational needs receive effective support to ensure they make good progress.

Pupils demonstrate strong knowledge, skills, and understanding as they progress through the school. The curriculum is carefully planned to provide cross-curricular links, enabling pupils to connect their learning across subjects. The school fosters a love for learning, with pupils expressing enjoyment in their lessons and valuing the feedback they receive from teachers. The early years foundation stage provides a broad curriculum that encourages exploration and creativity.

Pupils are articulate and develop effective communication skills, expressing their ideas clearly and confidently. Their writing skills are advanced for their age, and they engage in collaborative learning, demonstrating excellent teamwork. The school promotes a healthy lifestyle, with pupils participating in various sports and extracurricular activities. They understand the importance of physical and mental well-being and are encouraged to lead active lives.

The personal development of pupils is a key focus, with initiatives in place to promote self-awareness, resilience, and decision-making skills. Pupils engage in well-being sessions and reflect on their personal progress. They show a strong appreciation for the non-material aspects of life and demonstrate kindness and respect towards one another. The school fosters a culture of tolerance and understanding, celebrating diversity through initiatives such as International Day.

Pupils exhibit excellent social skills, forming productive relationships with their peers and contributing positively to the school community. They are encouraged to take on leadership roles and participate in charity initiatives, expanding their awareness of the world beyond the school. The school values the contributions of all pupils and promotes a sense of belonging within a family atmosphere.

Overall, Chandlings Preparatory School provides a high-quality education that meets the needs of its diverse pupil population. The school successfully achieves its aim of providing a broad, balanced, and enriching curriculum, fostering both academic and personal development. The positive relationships among pupils, staff, and parents contribute to a supportive and nurturing environment where pupils thrive. The inspection findings affirm the school's commitment to excellence in education and the well-being of its pupils.