Regulatory Compliance Inspection Report

For Schools with Residential Provision

New Hall School

November 2019
Contents 2

Contents

Contents 2

School’s Details 3

1. Background Information 4
About the school 4
What the school seeks to do 4
About the pupils 4

2. Regulatory Compliance Inspection 5

Preface 5
PART 1 – Quality of education provided 6
PART 2 – Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils 6
PART 3 – Welfare, health and safety of pupils 6
PART 4 – Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors 7
PART 5 – Premises of and accommodation at schools 7
PART 6 – Provision of information 7
PART 7 – Manner in which complaints are handled 7
PART 8 – Quality of leadership in and management of schools 7

3. Inspection Evidence 8

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019 New Hall School – November 2019

School’s Details 3

School’s Details
School New Hall School

DfE number 881/6001

Early Years registration number EY2555034

Registered charity number 1110286

Address New Hall School

The Avenue
Boreham
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 3HS

Telephone number 01245 467588

Email address admin@newhallschool.co.uk

Principal Mrs Katherine Jeffrey

Chair of governors Dr Miriam Edelsten

Age range 1 to 18

Number of pupils on roll 1272

Day pupils 1026 Boarders 246

Nursery 66 Pre - 123

preparatory

Preparatory 211 Seniors 638

Sixth form 234

Inspection dates 13 to 14 November 2019

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019 New Hall School – November 2019

Background Information 4

1. Background Information

About the school

1.1 New Hall School, founded in 1642, is an independent Catholic day and boarding school for pupils aged
between 1 and 18 years, sited in the Grade 1 listed estate of a former Tudor palace. The school is
governed by a board of governors, all of whom are trustees. Since the previous inspection, the school
has carried out refurbishment of the boarding houses and has opened a purpose-built nursery.
1.2 The school consists of a nursery division for pupils aged 1 to 4, preparatory divisions for pupils aged 4
to 11, a senior division for pupils aged 11 to 16 and a sixth form for pupils aged 16 to 18. Pupils are
taught in mixed ability classes except in Years 7 to 11 where pupils have the same curriculum choices
but in single-sex classes. Boarders are accommodated in four single-sex boarding houses. The school
has an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for which Ofsted completed the registration process in
October 2019.

What the school seeks to do

1.3 The school aims to give pupils an experience of life in a Christian community. It seeks to inspire pupils
to develop their gifts and talents to their full potential and to meet the changing needs of young
people and their families in the modern age.

About the pupils

1.4 Pupils come from a range of backgrounds, mostly from professional and business families. Most day
pupils are from British families living within a 30-mile radius of the school. Boarders travel from greater
distances, including some from overseas. Nationally standardised test data provided by the school
indicate that the ability of pupils in both the preparatory and senior divisions is above average
compared to those taking the same tests, and that of sixth form pupils is broadly average. The school
has identified 205 pupils as having special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), which include
dyslexia and dyspraxia, the large majority of whom receive additional specialist help. No pupil in the
school has an education, health and care (EHC) plan. English is an additional language (EAL) for 80
pupils, whose needs are supported by their classroom teachers and specialist staff. The school have
identified 299 pupils as being the most able and the curriculum may be modified for them and also for
pupils who have special talents in performing arts or sports.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019 New Hall School – November 2019

Regulatory Compliance Inspection 5

2. Regulatory Compliance Inspection

Preface
The registration authority for independent schools is the Department for Education (DfE), which directs
inspection according to a specified frequency or at any time where the DfE has particular concerns about a
school. The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the body approved by the Secretary of State for the
purpose of inspecting schools which are, or whose heads are, in membership of the associations which form
the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and reporting on the extent to which they meet the Independent
School Standards (‘the standards’) in the Schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards)
Regulations 2014. Accordingly, inspection records whether the school meets each of these standards, which
are arranged in eight Parts, each of which is divided into separate paragraphs. The inspection of schools that
have early years settings not requiring registration similarly records whether the school complies with key
provisions of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, and for registered settings the full range
of the Early Years Foundation Stage provisions is considered. Additionally, the inspection reports on the
school’s accessibility plan under Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 and the ban on corporal punishment
under section 548 of the Education Act 1996. It comments on the progress made by the school in meeting
the compliance action points set out in the school’s most recent statutory inspection.
This inspection also contains specific judgements on the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools
(‘boarding NMS’). It also comments on the progress made by the school in meeting the compliance action
points set out in the most recent statutory boarding inspection and it judges the extent to which the school
currently meets the boarding NMS. It identifies any standards which the school does not meet and requires
action to meet them. Findings are distributed across sections relating to the eight Parts of the standards.
All association independent schools will have an inspection within three years from April 2016, in accordance
with the Framework and DfE requirements. The inspection may be of COMPLIANCE ONLY or a combined
inspection of EDUCATIONAL QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE depending on a number of factors, including
findings from their most recent inspection. Schools judged not to meet the standards, including the boarding
NMS, may also be subject to a progress monitoring visit before their next routine inspection. The progress
monitoring visit will judge whether the school has taken the necessary action to meet any un-met standards
identified at their previous inspection.
The inspection was also carried out under the arrangements of the ISC Associations for the maintenance and
improvement of the quality of their membership.
This is a COMPLIANCE ONLY inspection and as such reports only on the school’s compliance with the
standards, including the boarding NMS. The standards represent minimum requirements and judgements
are given either as met or as not met. All schools are required to meet all the standards applicable to them.
Where the minimum requirements are not met, this is clearly indicated in the relevant section of the report
and the school is required to take the actions specified.
Inspections do not include matters that are outside of the regulatory framework described above, such as:
an exhaustive health and safety audit; compliance with data protection requirements; an in-depth
examination of the structural condition of the school, its services or other physical features; contractual
arrangements with parents; an investigation of the financial viability of the school or its accounting
procedures.
Inspectors may be aware of individual safeguarding concerns, allegations and complaints as part of the
inspection process. Such matters will not usually be referred to specifically in published reports in this
document but will have been considered by the team in reaching its judgements.
Links to the full regulations and requirements can be found here: The Education (Independent School
Standards) Regulations 2014, National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, Early Years Foundation
Stage Statutory Framework.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019 New Hall School – November 2019

Regulatory Compliance Inspection 6

Key findings
2.1 The school meets the standards in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards)
Regulations 2014, the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools 2015, and relevant
requirements of the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, and associated
requirements, and no further action is required as a result of this inspection.

PART 1 – Quality of education provided

2.2 In the preparatory divisions, the school measures attainment using National Curriculum tests. In the
years 2017 to 2018, results in Key Stage Two examinations were well above the national average for
maintained schools.
2.3 At GCSE in the years 2017 to 2018, performance has been above the national average for maintained
schools.
2.4 In the sixth form, A-level results in the years 2017 to 2018 have been above the national average for
sixth formers in maintained schools.
2.5 The curriculum is documented, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work for the pupils
and covers the required breadth of material. The teaching enables pupils to make good progress,
encompasses effective behaviour management and is supported by suitable resources. A suitable
framework for the assessment of pupils’ performance is in place.
2.6 The standards relating to the quality of education [paragraphs 1–4] are met.

PART 2 – Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

2.7 Principles and values are actively promoted which facilitate the personal development of pupils as
responsible, tolerant, law-abiding citizens. Boarders’ views are actively encouraged, and their opinions
and concerns are appropriately considered by staff. Any prefect system operating in the school is
suitably managed.
2.8 The standard relating to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development [paragraph 5] and NMS
17 and 19 are met.

PART 3 – Welfare, health and safety of pupils

2.9 Arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils by means that pay due regard
to current statutory guidance; good behaviour is promoted; bullying is prevented so far as reasonably
practicable; health and safety requirements are met, including those relating to fire safety; provision
is made for first aid. Pupils are properly supervised; admission and attendance registers are
maintained, as required, and there is a strategic approach to risk assessment. A disability access plan
is in place.
2.10 An appropriate induction process for pupils new to boarding is implemented, and suitable provision is
made for boarders’ medical and health care, their food and drink and for managing boarders’ laundry
and possessions. Boarders have suitable contact with friends and family and access to a programme
of activities. Boarding staff are appropriately trained and deployed.
2.11 The standards relating to welfare, health and safety [paragraphs 6–16], the requirement of Schedule
10 of the Equality Act 2010, the ban on corporal punishment under section 548 of the Education Act
1996, and NMS 2–4, 6–12, 15 and 16 are met.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019 New Hall School – November 2019

Regulatory Compliance Inspection 7

PART 4 – Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

2.12 The school makes appropriate checks to ensure the suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors,
and a register is kept as required. Visitors to boarding accommodation are appropriately supervised.
2.13 The standards relating to the suitability of those in contact with pupils at the school [paragraphs
17–21] and NMS 14 are met.

PART 5 – Premises of and accommodation at schools

2.14 Suitable toilet and changing facilities, and showering facilities where required by the standard, and
appropriate accommodation for pupils’ medical and therapy needs are provided. The premises are
maintained to a standard commensurate with health and safety; acoustics and lighting are
appropriate; water provision is adequate. Suitable outdoor space is provided for physical education
and outdoor play. Boarding accommodation is adequate for the needs of all boarders, and safeguards
and promotes their welfare.
2.15 The standards relating to the premises and accommodation [paragraphs 22–31] and NMS 5 are met.

PART 6 – Provision of information

2.16 A range of information is variously published, provided or made available to parents, inspectors and
the Department for Education. This includes details about the proprietor, the ethos of the school and
the curriculum, and of the school’s arrangements for admission, behaviour and exclusions, bullying,
health and safety, first aid, details of the complaints procedure, and the number of complaints
registered under the formal procedure during the preceding school year, and the provision for any
with education, health and care plans or English as an additional language. This also includes
particulars of the school’s academic performance during the preceding school year, inspection reports
and (for parents only) a report at least annually of their own child’s progress. The safeguarding policy
is posted on the school’s website. A suitable statement of boarding principles and practice is published
by the school.
2.17 The standard relating to the provision of information [paragraph 32] and NMS 1 are met.

PART 7 – Manner in which complaints are handled

2.18 Parental complaints, if any, are handled effectively through a three-stage process, (informal, formal
and a hearing before a panel of three, one of whom is independent of the school). Each stage has clear
time scales, and at the third stage the panel can make findings and recommendations which are
communicated to the complainant. Records are kept appropriately, including of any action taken,
whether or not a complaint is successful, and identifying those relating to the boarding provision.
2.19 The standard relating to the handling of complaints [paragraph 33] and NMS 18 are met.

PART 8 – Quality of leadership in and management of schools

2.20 The proprietor ensures that the leadership and management demonstrate good skills and knowledge,
and fulfil their responsibilities effectively, so that the other standards are consistently met, and they
actively promote the well-being of the pupils. Appropriate leadership and management of boarding
ensure that the required policies and records are maintained and effectively monitored.
2.21 The standard relating to leadership and management of the school [paragraph 34] and NMS 13 are
met.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019 New Hall School – November 2019

Inspection Evidence 8

3. Inspection Evidence
3.1 The inspectors observed lessons, conducted formal interviews with pupils and examined samples of
pupils’ work. They held discussions with members of staff and with a group of governors, observed a
sample of the extra-curricular activities that occurred during the inspection period, and attended form
meetings. Inspectors visited boarding houses and the facilities for the youngest pupils, together with
the learning support and educational resource areas. The responses of parents, staff and pupils to pre-
inspection questionnaires were analysed, and the inspectors examined curriculum and other
documentation made available by the school.

Inspectors
Dr Tracey Martin Reporting inspector
Miss Melanie Eaton Compliance team inspector (Deputy head, IAPS school)
Mr Peter Nicholls Compliance team inspector (Chief operating officer, HMC school)
Mrs Liz Worthington Team inspector for boarding (Senior deputy head, HMC school)

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019 New Hall School – November 2019