In March 2025, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) conducted a full inspection of our School. The report highlights the exceptional quality of education, leadership, and pupil development.
Our EYFS (Reception) provision has been recognised as a significant strength – the highest level of praise awarded in an ISI inspection
ISI Highlights Across Our Junior & Senior Schools
- “Teaching is highly effective. Teachers have expert subject knowledge”
- “Pupils of all ages demonstrate a love of learning”
- “Rapid progress and advanced learning behaviours”
- Pastoral care and wellbeing: Children thrive in a safe, nurturing environment where social and emotional skills are supported
- Leadership and management: School leadership, governance, and management meet or exceed expectations
Read the full ISI Inspection Report for Notting Hill & Ealing High School below.
“The early years provision is highly effective and well led. Staff match activities skilfully to individual needs as they promote children’s curiosity and development. Carefully designed tasks encourage the acquisition of language and social skills in a nurturing and safe environment. As a result, children make rapid progress towards their learning goals. They demonstrate advanced learning behaviours, for example, they develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills beyond the norm for their age. This is a significant strength of the school.”
Why The First Year Matters
Reception is a crucial year in a child’s learning journey. It lays the foundations for reading, writing, communication, and early maths, while also building confidence, curiosity and independence. In this first year, children form friendships, develop social and emotional skills and begin to explore the world around them. By nurturing these early habits of learning and resilience, our EYFS provision gives girls a flying start that sets them up for success throughout their time at school.
Key benefits of the first year:
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Strong academic foundations: Early reading, writing, maths and communication skills are developed rapidly
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Confidence and curiosity: Children feel secure, motivated and inspired to explore new ideas
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Lifelong learning habits: Resilience, focus, independence and collaboration begin here, setting the trajectory for future success.
Teaching
“In the early years, staff have a deep understanding of each child’s strengths, interests and areas for development. They use a variety of activities to build children’s co-ordination, balance and enjoyment of physical activity.”
“In the early years, staff are highly adept at identifying and supporting the needs of individual children. Activities and resources are thoughtfully designed to foster curiosity, exploration and teamwork. Staff promote rich language development through children’s presentations in, for example, ‘share and learn’ activities, and by modelling thoughtful questions. Teachers encourage children’s critical thinking and reasoning through tasks such as consideration of the weekly Friday ‘Big Question’”
– ISI Report 2025
Leadership
“The early years is skilfully led and managed. Leaders prioritise training to ensure that staff’s knowledge and skills remain up to date. Children’s individual success and pastoral development are promoted in a safe and nurturing environment. All the statutory requirements and required regulations are met consistently.”
– ISI Report 2025
Curriculum and Learning Environment
“In the early years, the curriculum skilfully combines several strands of learning simultaneously in activities. Children practise phonics, for example, through carefully designed craft activities that also develop their fine motor skills.”
– ISI Report 2025
“The early years is skilfully led and managed. Children’s individual success and pastoral development are promoted in a safe and nurturing environment.”
Learning and Progress
“Children demonstrate high levels of interest and advanced learning behaviours. They select activities and resources, for example, without prompting. They think critically to solve problems, only seeking help when needed. Children show resilience and persistence in their learning. They understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process. They make rapid progress from their starting points.”
– ISI Report 2025
Pastoral Care and Personal Development
“In the early years, leaders promote the development of children’s social skills effectively through a range of collaborative activities. Children show kindness and respect for others as a result. They learn about each other’s cultures and faiths, for example, by celebrating religious festivals.”
“Children develop self-confidence, social awareness and self-regulation. They learn to appreciate one another by taking turns, sharing resources and working co-operatively. Children make rapid progress in their physical, social and emotional development.”
– ISI Report 2025
