New ISI report praises pupils, teaching, pastoral welfare and enrichment across JAGS
JAGS has been commended by the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) for creating an environment in which all members of our community have “a shared belief in learning” in a school where “pupils understand the importance of contributing to and improving society.”
We are thrilled to share our latest ISI report and confirm that we have met all five required standards.
The report, based on evidence from the three day inspection in November 2024, encompasses both the Junior and Senior schools and was the first time JAGS has been inspected under the new ISI framework launched in September 2023. Our report is available to read in full HERE
Reflecting on the overwhelmingly positive report, it is particularly rewarding to see how inspectors highlighted areas of success that align with our key aims:
- To celebrate our diverse and inclusive community.
- To champion social awareness and sustainability.
- To empower courage, creativity and compassion in each student.
- To inspire aspirational authentic lifelong learners and leaders.
- To nurture respectful, resilient and kind individuals.
Alex Hutchinson, Head, said: “It was a pleasure to host the inspectors in November and spend this time reflecting with them on all that makes JAGS so special.
“The ISI report captures not only the breadth of our curriculum and exceptional levels of teaching at JAGS but also the inclusive and independent spirit fostered within our community, observing how interactions are ‘notably respectful, kind and positive’ and that ‘teachers’ deep subject knowledge allows pupils to grow in confidence and build on their prior attainment and understanding’.
“As you know, diversity is one of our school’s greatest strengths, setting us apart from other schools. Therefore, receiving the feedback that our ‘pupils understand and value diversity’ and the ‘acceptance of differences between people is a fundamental characteristic of the school’s culture’, was especially rewarding.
“As a whole, we are always looking to enhance the educational experience for our students. It was particularly pleasing therefore to discover inspectors had spotlighted recent changes to our curriculum and timetable as key strengths in our provision. Inspectors found the ‘well-designed curriculum challenges and cultivates the pupils’ potential’ , while the new timetable ‘allows greater opportunities for enrichment to better meet the wider educational and wellbeing needs of pupils’.
The report identifies that, as school leaders, we are guided by the wellbeing of pupils and have a robust culture of safeguarding. It praises our provision at all ages: from our youngest EYFS students, who are “curious about their world”, to those thinking about life beyond JAGS, how fitting it is for this to be recognized when we read that our pupils are “ambitious for their futures.”
Victoria Goodson, Head of the Junior School, said: “We are so very proud that the extensive opportunities we create for our pupils have been recognised for successfully fostering ‘an environment that strongly promotes personal and physical development and self-confidence’.
“To receive feedback that pupils in the Junior School ‘develop high levels of self-esteem and self-confidence because of the culture of mutual support, kindness and generosity that leaders instil’ is testament yet again to the hard work and dedication of all our staff and the support of our parents.”
