school-inspection-report

Castle House School 9
3.7 Measures to reduce the risk from fire and other hazards are effective. Regular fire practices
are held, and safety checks are carried out on fire equipment and all electrical portable
equipment, with appropriate records being kept. The health and safety policy contains
clearly defined procedures. Risk assessments are extensively and regularly carried out with
regard to the premises, methods of work and school activities, both on and off site.
3.8 First aid procedures are good and suitable arrangements, including a sick bay, are in place
should any pupil be taken ill when at school. All members of staff have a basic first aid
qualification and two teachers have completed a more advanced course. Appropriate
accident and incident books are in place with records completed correctly. The school
ensures that pupils are encouraged to eat healthily and take regular exercise through the many
sports activities offered. Pupils have a suitable choice of healthy and nutritious options for
lunch and portions are generous. Catering staff are fully aware of any special dietary
requirements.
3.9 The school meets the regulatory requirements for the welfare, health and safety of pupils
[Standard 3].
The Quality of Links with Parents and the Community
3.10 The school has developed an outstanding partnership with parents and worthwhile links with
the wider community. Virtually all parents responded to the pre-inspection questionnaire and
their responses showed that they are loyal and very satisfied with the education and support
provided for their children. The school is successful in achieving its aim to create a
community in which all members feel valued.
3.11 Parents are particularly happy about the quality of teaching, the rich curriculum and the
strengths in care, guidance and support. Inspectors agree with their views. Links with
parents and the community have improved since the time of the last inspection.
3.12 The parents’ association supports the school well. It promotes social contacts amongst
parents and friends of the school by organising events such as the Summer Ball, a ‘tasty
food’ sampling evening and charity events. Parents loyally support sporting, musical and
other cultural events. Some help voluntarily in classrooms or on educational visits.
3.13 The school has improved its links with parents since the last inspection by producing a high
quality weekly newsletter, a stylish and detailed prospectus which contains all relevant
information, and a new parents’ information pack which is thorough in its content. The
school also provides class booklets which introduce parents to the routines of the next class
each year, and reports for parents each half term. A detailed written report of high quality is
also issued at the end of the Summer Term. Parents’ evenings are held twice a year and
parents are kept very well informed about their children’s progress.
3.14 The school handles any parental concerns with due care. Within this family-orientated
school, parents are welcome to see teachers informally at the start or finish of the day. They
are made aware of the written complaints procedure which is published in the new parents’
handbook. There have been no complaints in the last year.
3.15 The school organises a very good number of outings and events which promote links with the
wider community. These include pupils performing at elderly care homes locally, police
talks in school, and fund raising for charities such as World Vision, NSPCC and Children in
Need. The school has hosted the national gymnastics championships for ISA and played a
central part in organising a variety of independent schools’ gymnastics events in recent years.