The Independent Schools Inspectorate
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) has introduced a new approach to reporting its findings. Instead of awarding single-word judgements, inspections now provide a detailed narrative, outlining the evidence gathered and the inspectors’ observations. Alongside this, every school is assessed against a set of regulatory standards. In this area, the outcome is clear and definitive: standards are either met or they are not.
All Standards Met — November 2025 Inspection
At our most recent inspection in November 2025, Connaught House School met every regulatory standard across all areas assessed. This outcome reaffirms our 2022 inspection results and reflects a sustained, uncompromising commitment to excellence in every aspect of school life.
All standards were met in the following areas:
Leadership, Management and Governance
Quality of Education, Training and Recreation
Pupils’ Physical and Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Pupils’ Social and Economic Education and Contribution to Society
Safeguarding
The inspectors’ findings affirm the strength and depth of our provision, and we are particularly proud that they recognised the qualities we value most highly — including our “highly effective and personalised procedures” for supporting pupils’ mental health and emotional wellbeing, our pupils’ achievement of “particularly high standards in art and public speaking,” and a culture in which “kindness, empathy and responsibility towards others” are deeply embedded.
Inspection Highlights
Individual Support and Teaching
“Adults throughout the school have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the pupils in their care.”
“Teachers are diligent in identifying the means by which each pupil in the school can be best supported and challenged within lessons.”
“Teachers provide clear explanations, enhanced by effective questioning, which challenge pupils to consider new material at a deep level.”
“Teachers provide pupils with detailed individual written and verbal feedback… enabling them to identify their own mistakes and improve their work.”
Pupils’ Achievement and Academic Development
“Pupils achieve at a particularly advanced level in a wide range of media in art in response to expert teaching, high expectations and individual encouragement and support.”
“Pupils develop mature skills of analysis and critical thinking.”
“Pupils make good progress and attain well throughout the curriculum. They attain particularly high standards in art and in public speaking in response to specialist teaching and careful curriculum planning.”
“Leaders foster older pupils’ skills in preparing and articulating sophisticated arguments… enabling them to achieve considerable success in national debating competitions.”
Pastoral Care, Wellbeing and Personal Development
“Leaders are highly skilled in assessing pupils’ individual emotional and physical needs.”
“Leaders implement a range of highly effective and personalised procedures and strategies to promote pupils’ mental health and emotional wellbeing.”
“Leaders successfully foster a caring ethos… promoting a culture of kindness, empathy and responsibility towards others.”
“Pupils are caring and supportive towards one another, understanding what it means to be part of a community of people of different ages and backgrounds.”
“Pupils value the diversity within their school and show high levels of respect towards different cultures, faiths and beliefs.”
Preparation for the Future
“Leaders implement carefully considered, targeted initiatives which enable pupils to be well prepared for the next stages in their education both academically and socially.”
“…older pupils are well prepared for the academic rigours of senior school.”