Setting

Education and boarding inspection summary for St Michael’s School Harts Lane, Burghclere, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 9JW

p.1

Inspection dates: 26 to 28 September 2023

p.1

Outcome

The education overall effectiveness judgement is: good

p.1

Outcome

The judgement for the experiences and progress of children in the boarding provision is: good

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

St Michael’s religious ethos is central to the school’s work and guides everything it does. Morning prayers in the school’s chapel provide pupils with regular opportunities for quiet reflection, contemplation and worship. Pupils learn about the importance of values such as charity, tolerance and respect.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

The school fosters a love of learning which is reflected in lessons across the school. Pupils develop an impressive commitment to hard work and a determination to do well as they move up through the school. They behave exceptionally well and work diligently in lessons, which are quiet, calm and purposeful.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Adults lead by example. They combine very high expectations with warmth, understanding and good humour so that pupils feel comfortable and secure. Pupils are impeccably polite, greeting visitors cheerfully and with interest. They enjoy school. The youngest arrive happily at the start of the school day, hanging their coats up, putting their things away quickly and settling into their classrooms ready to learn.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils speak enthusiastically about subjects such as cookery, computing and art, while the older pupils appreciate activities such as rugby and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. They are well prepared for the next stage of their education. Education and boarding inspection summary: St Michael’s School 26 to 28 September 2023 The inspector made two recommendations to help the school improve, covering the quality of support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and school development planning.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

The school meets all of the independent school standards .

p.2

What is it like to board at this school?

Children benefit from the care and support of dedicated, passionate and professional staff. The strong ethos of the school informs practice in all areas of children’s lives. Staff focus on the rounded development of the children. They place equal value on academic, personal, emotional and spiritual development. Staff aim to support children to become healthy, happy and successful adults whose lives are enriched by the spiritual values of the school.

p.2

What is it like to board at this school?

Since the last inspection, staff have invested time in developing some sophisticated tools for tracking the progress of children through their school lives. This has been further enhanced by the introduction of a well-received programme of incentives and rewards that encourage children to think about their conduct, engagement and personal contribution to the school community.

p.2

What is it like to board at this school?

Staff are able to demonstrate progress in children’s education, behaviour and attitude. Children are positive about the impact of the school on their personal growth.

p.2

What is it like to board at this school?

Staff share information effectively with colleagues across the school and work cohesively to support children through any challenges that they face.

p.2

What is it like to board at this school?

Children feel well supported and express deep levels of trust in the staff. They feel confident that they can share any personal concerns and worries with them. They are confident that they will be listened to and that their views are taken seriously.

p.2

What is it like to board at this school?

Children are given opportunities to engage in decision-making and express their views and opinions through formal channels, such as the school council and suggestion boxes, and informal opportunities, including day-to-day discussion with staff. Children gave examples of changes that have been made as a direct result of their feedback to senior staff.

p.2

What is it like to board at this school?

Children have access to a wide range of age-appropriate recreational facilities on site. Outside school hours, children are active and busy (some children highlighted that it is also important to have unstructured time).

p.2

What is it like to board at this school?

Some children approaching the end of their studies at the school talked about feelings of isolation from the local community and having limited chances to mix with children from other schools. They expressed the wish to make more use of resources in the local community. Education and boarding inspection summary: St Michael’s School 26 to 28 September 2023 The school environment is clean and well maintained. However, some of the spaces that children use after school are underdeveloped and could benefit from investment. In particular, the Year 11 senior common room needs updating and renovating.

p.2

What is it like to board at this school?

Staff manage new admissions to the school well and new children and their parents are given high-quality resources that provide all the information they need to maximise chances of a successful transition into the school. Staff show a well- developed understanding of the emotional and practical challenges that children face as they arrive. Staff give much care and thought to helping children to settle into the community.

p.3

What is it like to board at this school?

Children’s behaviour and conduct are of a very high standard. In general, children support each other and demonstrate high levels of respect for staff, other children and the guiding principles of school life.

p.3

What is it like to board at this school?

Parents express consistently high levels of regard for the quality of support that their children receive in the boarding provision.

p.3

What is it like to board at this school?

The school meets all the national minimum standards .

p.3

What is it like to board at this school?

The inspectors made three recommendations to help the school improve, covering pupils’ personal development, the development of opportunities for pupils to interact with children from outside the school, and engaging pupils in reviewing the use of available spaces in the school.

p.3

What is it like to board at this school?

◼ View the full inspection report for the education provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/27/116594

p.3

What is it like to board at this school?

◼ View the full inspection report for the boarding provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/1/SC012016 Education and boarding inspection summary: St Michael’s School 26 to 28 September 2023 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.3

What is it like to board at this school?

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

What is it like to board at this school?

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

What is it like to board at this school?

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.4