Inspectors have delivered an ‘outstanding’ report on the Early Years’ Department at leading independent prep school Belmont Grosvenor.
Co-educational Belmont Grosvenor School, set in 20-acres of grounds on the outskirts of Harrogate, provides ‘outstanding provision’ for children up to 5 years, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
A team from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) – the independent sector’s equivalent of Ofsted – has just spent two days at the co-educational school on the outskirts of Harrogate.
The inspectors’ report, released this week, covers all aspects of the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage, from how well the provision meets the needs of the children and how it contributes to the child’s well-being, to the leadership and management of the EYFS and the overall quality and standards.
And across all inspection areas, Belmont Grosvenor School and its Magic Tree Nursery, has been rated ‘outstanding’.
Magic Tree Nursery Manager and Early Year’s co-ordinator Julie Dent said she was extremely proud of her team and their dedication to the children.
Julie Dent said: This report is not only a great tribute to them, but to the children, their parents and our governing body.
We always aim to deliver the highest standards to ensure all our children receive the best care and education possible and we are delighted that the inspectors have once again recognised this.
All our children benefit from the wonderful woodland setting of Belmont Grosvenor School, which is reflected in the ISI report.
Jane Merriman, Headteacher of Belmont Grosvenor School, said: We are absolutely thrilled to have received this excellent inspection report, maintaining the previous outstanding judgement. It is always reassuring to have our high standards recognized by ISI.
The report really reflects the wonderful care our children enjoy together with the fabulous learning experience they access in our enhanced EYFS provision.
The ISI report, published this week, heaps praise on the EYFS team at Belmont Grosvenor School and says the school’s extensive grounds at Birstwith, near Harrogate, helps children get the most out of their learning.
“Direct availability of a variety of outdoor areas, the school’s extensive grounds and a woodland environment provides many opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom,” say the inspectors, who praise the use of the school’s outdoor areas to promote a “positive attitude to a healthy lifestyle’.
The school, based at Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, is also recognised for providing an ‘outstanding’ programme of enrichment activities, including swimming, French, music and movement and dance which “significantly enhances the early years’ curriculum’
“Skillful questioning by staff promotes children’s thinking, communication and language skills, problem solving and creativity,” say the inspectors.
The EYFS inspection report, which follows a full inspection of the school and its nursery in 2012 when Belmont Grosvenor and its Magic Tree Nursery once again received the ISI’s ultimate accolade of ‘excellent’ and ‘outstanding’, commends leadership and management of the school’s EYFS provision.
The Magic Tree Nursery at Belmont Grosvenor School was opened in 2007 and cares for children from three months to three years. After that pupils transfer to an older nursery group, known as pre-reception, at the age of three, and then to reception at the age of four.
Inspectors say all the children are ‘happy and motivated to learn, ably supported by adults who know them extremely well’.
“Children of all ages are co-operative, share, show consideration for others and demonstrate an awareness of behaving safely. They fell safe, secure and happy due to the individualized care provided by the attentive staff,” say inspectors.
