TMS Flies Through External Assessment

Tockington Manor School has a certain magic about it. It is extremely well run and full of happy and fulfilled pupils who simply love everything about it.

David Pafford, Education Consultant

Tockington Manor School recently held an external review of the establishment, in preparation for any official inspection from the Independent Schools Inspectorate in the near future. The thorough evaluation was conducted by David Pafford, former Deputy Head at Clifton College Prep School and an experienced Education Consultant.

“There is unquestionable evidence of strong and dependable leadership and management.” Says David in his report. “Leadership of the Early Years provision is outstanding. Children thrive in a happy, safe and well-regulated setting.” During the two-day evaluation, David observed 29 lessons from Nursery through to Year 8. He interviewed groups of pupils and staff to discuss academic achievements and personal wellbeing. The report measured the school under five headings:

Education, Training and Recreation

Pupils across the age range are encouraged to be creative thinkers and lessons, without exception, both engage and challenge the pupils.

David Pafford, Education Consultant

David commended the Heads of Department and subject leaders on well-planned curriculums which leave teachers feeling guided and pupils able to make excellent progress. “Pupils demonstrate a thirst for knowledge across the full age range. Lessons provide pupils with age and ability-appropriate material.” States the report, commenting on pupils’ pride in their work and eagerness to share their learnings and achievements. The school’s aims to cultivate a love of learning to last a lifetime are captured in David’s observation that children are well-focused, self-motivated, self-confident and hardworking in class. Other key observations regarding the School’s delivery of education included:

• Excellent pupil focus: classes are small and children are quiet and calm before, during and after lessons
• Senior boys and girls are relaxed: Year 7 & 8 pupils are at ease in each others’ company and willingly come to the interactive board to share their findings without any embarrassment, even during PSHE lessons
• Pupils are stretched and challenged intellectually: A Year 8 computing lesson involved pupils debating the advantages and disadvantages of AI. “Their responses would not have seemed out of place in an A-level class”
• Independent learning: Pupils in Year 1 and 2 are successfully taught the importance of independent learning

Physical and Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

The school creates a culture of care and respect for others and celebrates the diversity within the school community, with an ethos of inclusivity for all.

David Pafford, Education Consultant

In a testament to the excellent pastoral care at Tockington Manor School, David particularly notes the calm and happy atmosphere as children go about their day. “Pupils and staff report that the Behaviour Policy is well-managed, well-implemented and effective, and feel that there are very few incidents of bad behaviour.” Citing this as a real strength of the School, the report notes that even in the Nursery and Pre-Prep, children have a good understanding of right from wrong. Sport is such an important part of life at TMS and it was noted that pupils have a solid understanding of how the physical exercise they do almost daily impacts their mental well-being too. Other points to note in these areas include:

• Pupils participate enthusiastically: physical activities are ‘accessible to all’ and do not discriminate
• A solid curriculum: PSHE is taught well and an RSE programme is in the process of being further embedded
• The School celebrates together: assemblies are uplifting and meaningful with senior pupils participating actively, handing out awards and making announcements. Children understand the importance of celebrating the achievements and success of others
• Any issues are dealt with promptly: pupils believe there to be very little bullying and add that any tricky issues between friends or classmates are dealt with fairly, promptly and effectively

Social, Economic Wellbeing and Contribution to Society

The pupils are ambitious with regard to their own futures and are able to describe their hopes and dreams with enthusiasm, explaining how the school has taught them to be able to do this.

David Pafford, Education Consultant

Children at the School are not caught up in a ‘Tockington Bubble’. The report notes that all of those interviewed agree that the school provides them with a good understanding of society and the wider world. Of note, an excellent Geography curriculum which includes global trade and world economics, and a demonstrable grasp of money matters in a Year 2 Maths lesson. The report states ‘Pupils were able to articulate a good understanding that…the importance of democracy may mean that they will sometimes have to accept the views of others, even if not shared by themselves.’

David noted TMS’s charitable initiative every year, which supports a chosen organisation, which the pupils raise funds through various activities over the course of the year. Read more about this year’s charity Teach Us Too here and see how the Catalyst Foundation’s S.H.E. programme used their donation at the end of last year here.

Safeguarding

There is a tangible culture of safeguarding embedded within the ethos of the school.

David Pafford, Education Consultant

According to the report, pupils show a clear understanding of how the School teaches them to stay safe at school, at home and online as well as knowing who to turn to if they have a problem. David notes “arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils in the school are robust and effective.” All standards relating to the safeguarding obligations of the School were deemed to meet any requirements of a possible inspection in the near future. Tockington Manor School follows the Clifton College Education Group Safeguarding Policy and the details of the team responsible can be found here. Please contact the school if you would like to read the full assessment by David Pafford of how TMS meets its safeguarding standards.

Leadership, Management and Government

Leadership and management is forward-thinking – constantly exploring ways by which outcomes for pupils can be improved.

David Pafford, Education Consultant

Headmaster Stephen Symonds can be proud of the report’s observations around the school’s management and governance. His Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead are noted as being actively involved with the day-to-day running of the school whilst he himself is observed by pupils as ‘friendly, approachable and available.’ Whether running in the weekly cross country practice or running the Monday morning assembly or staff meeting, the report comments that staff and pupils know what is expected of them and respond well to the style of leadership. In addition

• Risk is well-managed: leadership meet daily to discuss pupil and staff wellbeing
• The school is always evolving: leaders constantly strive to improve provision through well-considered and meaningful projects
• Early years leaders are knowledgeable and experienced

Conclusion

The external evaluation report notes that governance is currently going through a transition stage with the School having recently become a member of the Clifton College Education Group. However, this did not impact on TMS being deemed to be in a position to meet necessary standards, should an inspection be carried out. In order to be wholly prepared for any impending visit by the ISI, David made a handful of recommendations, which the school is in the process of implementing.

Read more about official inspections of the School, conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, here.

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