Summary of the Inspection Report for Highfields Private School October 2006
The staff and pupils of Highfields Private School in Redruth are delighted and proud of their recent success following an Ofsted inspection last month.
Highfields Private School is an independent day school for boys and girls aged 4 1/2 to 16. It was previously inspected three years ago in December 2003 and since then it has “maintained its high standards”.
The inspection found that despite its size the school offers a very broad curriculum including French and Spanish. At a time when state schools no longer have to offer a modern foreign language beyond 14, this is especially welcome.
Highfields was praised for its “strong emphasis on developing skills in speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy”. The report went on to state that teaching is at least “good” at all times and the wide range of interesting lessons and activities “means pupils make good progress”.
The availability of a variety of extra-curricular activities along with an extended careers programme (which includes work experience for the seniors), ensure pupils make the most of their time at Highfields Private School.
The report highlighted in particular the teachers’ “very good relationships” with the pupils who are “confident and relaxed learners who ask questions knowing that the teachers are there ready and willing to help them”. This reflects the school’s ethos to encourage the development of every individual child within a small, friendly family environment. Furthermore, “praise and encouragement are used judiciously to increase pupils’ self-esteem”.
The success of the school’s ethos can be particularly seen in some cases where “pupils have joined the school after having an unhappy experience at other schools and have thrived in the small nurturing environment which Highfields Private School can provide”.
Finally the “strong emphasis on self-discipline and self-reliance” was found to help pupils “become confident mature young people during their time at Highfields Private School”.
A full copy of the report can be viewed here.
Please note that our email address is incorrect in the Ofsted report.
Highfields Private School Ofsted Inspection report 2003
