The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report on the Standard Inspection, January and February 2010, of St Helen and St Katharine is available here. The 3 yearly ISI inspections assess the quality of provision and the progress the school has made since the last inspection. SHSK was last inspected in April 2006.

All aspects of the school were judged to be either good or outstanding and we are proud of the following strengths which were recognised and acknowledged in the report:

• spiritual, moral, social and cultural development was judged to be outstanding, supporting the parent questionnaire response in which 97% of current parents wrote that the school promotes worthwhile attitudes and values
• careers and higher education provision was also judged to be outstanding; the “exemplary programme for careers education and guidance” ensuring that the girls are very thoroughly prepared for the next stage of their lives
• the significant strength of the drama, music and art departments.
• the fact that “girls reach high standards of achievement over time in relation to their ability,” supporting the opinion of almost every parent and girl (both 97%) who replied acknowledging that the teaching helps pupils make progress
• the “excellent results in public examinations” and evidence that we achieve “high standards of exam success and entrance to leading universities”
• the high quality of the girls’ relationships and personal development
• the good and varied extra-curricular programme and the high quality of educational visits locally and abroad which are all judged to enhance the learning
• the outstanding quality of the best teaching; with independent learning, intellectual curiosity and scholarly debate as the hallmarks
• the broad and balanced curriculum
• the positive impact of the new library
   

An inspection serves to confirm strengths, which this has done – we know we are a good school and we celebrate that acknowledgement. The report also highlights some areas for enhancement. Our development plans address these areas; we have begun to implement these plans which the Headmistress is happy to discuss with prospective parents.