Ashbridge Independent school and nurseries achieve high ratings in latest inspection

Ashbridge school and two nurseries achieved high ratings in their latest inspections. Picture: Ashbridge Independent School and Nursery

An independent school and two nurseries have been awarded the highest grades at their recent inspection.

Ashbridge Independent School achieved ‘Excellent’ ratings in all areas, while the nursery in Hutton and Ashbridge on Ribble Nursery in Walton-le-Dale was awarded Outstanding in all areas.

Seven inspectors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) undertook an intense week-long inspection across the three settings and highlighted the emphasis Ashbridge put on nurturing care, outdoor learning, parent partnerships and the development of the staff team within the report.

The two nurseries were inspected against the Early Years Inspection Framework as used by both ISI and OFSTED.

The positive relationships children form with their caregivers and the pioneering curriculum on offer were just two of the areas highlighted in the report for Ashbridge Nursery, Hutton with the report stating; “The innovative curriculum with its strong emphasis on outdoor learning is extremely well balanced … (meeting) the needs and interests of the children, enabling them to have an excellent start to their education.”

And “The consistently positive relationships that children have with the adults around them are built on strong, secure attachments. Extremely effective care practices support children’s emotional security, so that children feel happy and safe.”

The report for Ashbridge on Ribble also highlighted these areas of strength as well as recognising the excellent facilities and parent partnerships, which are implemented in all Ashbridge settings.

The school was inspected against the independent school’s standards, which focus on the achievement of pupils including academic development and the personal development of pupils.

The school was awarded the highest possible grade of Excellent in both areas, as well as meeting all compliance requirements.

The inspection team highlighted the excellent progress children make throughout their time in school, the wide array of extra-curricular activities, children’s strong communication and mathematical skills and the school’s belief in providing children with a fulfilled childhood whilst preparing them for the modern world.

The school report states; “Pupils thrive academically and non-academically… pupils succeed in entrance examinations to highly competitive senior independent and state schools, gaining the places they are aiming for…including academic and sporting scholarships.” and “They are very often in the open air, donned with wellington boots, finding out about nature… (learning) to respect the environment and respect themselves as important young custodians of the world around them.”

Headteacher Karen Mehta said “At Ashbridge, we have always focussed on the quality of the education we provide for the children right from babies through to Year 6. This is our top priority and we are continuously involved in self-evaluation, looking for ways to further enhance the learning experiences, achievements and progress of the children in our care.

“Our ethos is really summed up by one line in the report that states ‘Pupils were totally immersed in activities, often outdoors, and displaying a complete, reverential engagement with the natural world.’

“To have an objective, experienced and expert team of inspectors visit the School and Nursery and find us to be excellent in every respect is a testament to all the hard work, skill and dedication of the staff team right across the school and nursery and we couldn’t be more proud.

“This, along with the support of our families and of course the amazing children is what makes us special.”

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