Setting

Education and boarding inspection summary for Beech Grove School Forest Drive, Nonington, Dover, Kent CT15 4FB

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Inspection dates: 30 April to 2 May 2024

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Outcome

The education overall effectiveness judgement is: Good

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Outcome

The judgement for the experiences and progress of student in the boarding provision is: Outstanding

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ Pupils flourish at their happy, inclusive and welcoming school. They are extremely polite and considerate towards others. Pupils’ exemplary attitudes toward their education are reflected in their extremely high rates of attendance. Across all phases, they make the most of their experiences in school and achieve well.

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ Pupils’ enjoyment of learning is shown by the high levels of engagement seen in every classroom. Younger children love exploring the extensive outside spaces. They talk animatedly about their work as they play in the exciting environment.

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ The school places a high importance on pupils’ leadership skills. Younger pupils enjoy being mentored by their sixth-form peers. Pupils revel taking part in a rich variety of activities such as culinary skills, orchestra, robotics and the ever- popular pigeon racing club.

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ Pupils have a strong sense of social justice and equality. They collect donations for the different causes they support. For example, they organised the recent ‘ultra-relay’ to raise funds for disadvantaged children in other parts of the world. Pupils understand fundamental British values, including the mutual respect and democratic principles. They know that discrimination of any kind is wrong. Pupils told inspectors that people should not be treated differently because of what they look like or believe in. Education and boarding inspection summary: Beech Grove School 30 April to 2 May 2024 The inspectors made one recommendation to help the school improve, linked to developing staff’s curriculum pedagogy.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school meets all of the independent school standards .

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Students thrive in the boarding provision. Not only do students make exceptional progress educationally, but they also develop their independence and self-care skills. This gives them a sense of worth and meaning. There is a strong sense of community in which students share warm relationships, not only with each other but also with staff. Students enjoy socialising and making friends. Students speak passionately about different projects. These include videography, developing graphics and music. Students also enjoy meeting up with friends for long walks. These opportunities enhance students’ boarding experiences and promote their mental and physical well-being.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Students are supported by passionate and dedicated staff who sensitively help students, physically and emotionally. This support transfers seamlessly across their waking day, providing students with high-quality, consistent care. The sense of mutual respect is a strength throughout students’ experiences.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Students enjoy the amenities of the extensive school estate and talk animatedly about the sports and recreational opportunities available to them. They also praise the quality of their accommodation and the whole school environment. Sports facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, fishing lake, and large football pitches, provide students with a wide range of recreational activities. Students take driving lessons, complete first aid qualifications and prepare and cook meals. These activities prepare students for the future and increase their opportunities to achieve.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Staff have a meticulous understanding of each student and how to tailor the support needed to meet their individual needs. In many cases, these relationships last throughout a student’s time in boarding. Parents express high levels of trust and belief in what the provision can achieve for their children. Feedback from parents is universally positive. One parent said, ‘My child has grown in maturity, confidence, academics, and creative endeavours.’ Another said, ‘I really love this school, my child is so well cared for and learns so much, academically and socially.’

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ Students, alongside their families, are actively involved in their care planning, giving them a sense of ownership in their lives. Students are listened to in a variety of ways. This is a key strength throughout their residential experience. Regular boarding meetings provide the opportunity for students to share feedback about their experiences, and changes are made as a result. Students can personalise their bedrooms and are consulted on the decoration of communal areas. Leaders identify and understand that some improvements are required to the boarding houses due to the age of the buildings. There are clear plans to Education and boarding inspection summary: Beech Grove School 30 April to 2 May 2024 further improve the physical environment and give students more space. This is welcomed by students and staff.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

The school meets all the national minimum standards .

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What is it like to stay at this school?

The inspectors made one recomendation to help the school improve, relating to supervision and appraisal processes for boarding staff.

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ View the full inspection report for the education provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/27/131181

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What is it like to stay at this school?

◼ View the full inspection report for the boarding provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/1/2543646 Education and boarding inspection summary: Beech Grove School 30 April to 2 May 2024 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 .

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What is it like to stay 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 .

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What is it like to stay at this school?

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What is it like to stay at this school?

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

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