A PENRITH school has been awarded the highest possible grading an independent school can achieve in the latest inspection.
Hunter Hall School & Pre School has been awarded the highest possible grading of ‘Excellent’.
This latest inspection focused on educational achievement and personal development, with the school achieving high marks across all areas.
Over three days, inspectors observed lessons, spoke to children, held discussions with members of staff and a group of governors, assessed a sample of the extra-curricular activities, and attended form times and assemblies.
They found that “the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent,” also commenting: “Pupils maintain excellent attitudes to their studies, showing a keen eagerness to take part in lessons”.
The school says it seeks to 'create a warm and welcoming environment where every child feels safe and valued'.
The inspectors agreed, commenting that: “Pupils exhibit an assured self-confidence and notable self-esteem which is developed through the highly effective use by staff of praise and encouragement”.
READ MORE: Carlisle MP John Stevenson has say on Levelling Up North agenda
In addition, it was reported that: “The pupils’ exhibit extremely strong skills and knowledge across a broad range of subject areas.
"Their progress is facilitated by the school’s wide-ranging curriculum which, besides the traditional subjects, offers a range of outdoor education opportunities and scheduled periods to promote well-being.
“Pupils demonstrate an outstanding capacity to contribute to the benefit of others across the school.
“Taking part in community events such as the Woodland Trust initiative, collecting and planting acorns, and the Cumbrian litter pick, allow pupils to see wider issues in the outside world and the part they can play in solving them”.
The head teacher, Mrs Donna Vinsome responded: “We could not be happier with the result.
"This was a very thorough inspection looking at all areas of school life and very much child-centred, whereby the inspection team spent a great deal of their time talking to pupils of all ages.
"We are incredibly proud of our school, and it is rewarding that the inspection team could witness what an amazing school Hunter Hall truly is in so many ways.
"Of course, as a school one can never rest on our laurels and our own development plan will continue to be updated implemented, as we continue to build upon the excellent education we provide, as recognised by the ISI inspection team.”
READ MORE: Cumbrian Marathon man Gary McKee smashes 100k milestone in challenge
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here