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One of Guernsey's private colleges has been given an 'excellent' rating after an independent schools inspection.
The Independent Schools Inspectorate visited Blanchelande College earlier this term as part of a validation process for 'British Schools Overseas'.
The private school for girls and boys between four and 16 years old met every necessary standard set by the inspectorate.
While States run schools in Guernsey are to be validated by Ofsted going forward, they were until this year inspected by Education Scotland, but the private colleges can make their own arrangements.
Inspections for 'British schools overseas', which include the report for Blanchelande, follow the framework and guidance set for independent school inspection in England.
"The inspection of the school is from an educational perspective and provides limited inspection of other aspects, though inspectors will comment on any significant hazards or problems they encounter which have an adverse impact on children," said the inspector's report.
In particular Blanchelande was praised for the "excellent and often exceptional progress" that senior pupils make "in many subjects and especially so in English, English literature, French, and mathematics; however, the progress of senior pupils in the sciences is less marked."
Blanchelande pupils with special educational needs also "make exceptional progress in English."
Within the Blanchelande junior schools, "excellent levels of knowledge, skills, and understanding were seen in the classwork and homework examined, supported in part by the school’s increasing use of specialist teachers for younger pupils including for art, physical education, and modern foreign languages. Pupils reach exceptional standards in art, English and their project work."
There were some areas earmarked for improvement though, when it comes to the Catholic school's faith teachings and a suggestion that pupils should be more involved in decisions made at the school.
For a school which received publicity earlier in the year for its censored sexual education lessons, the school received praise for the personal development of all pupils. Although sexual education was not mentioned, the report said "the quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent."
While "pupils demonstrate high levels of self-confidence, resilience, and compassion," the report also said that "a large majority of parents agreed that the school promotes an environment which successfully supports the personal development of their children. The leadership and governance of the school are strongly committed to ensuring that this environment continues to develop in strength."
Pictured: Elizabeth College.
Guernsey's other two private schools have both been inspected by the ISI previously.
Elizabeth College was last inspected in 2015, when it was given the highest rating of 'Excellent' in eight areas and 'Good' in the other two. The report is available here.
The Ladies College was inspected in 2016 and it received a rating of 'Excellent' in eight areas for the senior school and in seven areas in the junior school with one 'Good' rating. Both the Ladies College reports can be read here.
Pictured: Blanchelande College.
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