Celebrating Excellence at The Villa: Highlights from Our Recent Inspection
- Louise Collingwood-Ellis
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
We are absolutely delighted to share the wonderful news of our recent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection, which took place in May 2025. The outcome was overwhelmingly positive – all Independent School Standards were met – and the report is a resounding celebration of our ethos, curriculum and community.
One of the most significant achievements was being recognised for a “significant strength” in the area of emotional wellbeing and PSHE – an honour awarded to only 10% of independent schools. The inspectors praised our work in this area, noting:
“The support provided for pupils’ emotional wellbeing has a highly positive impact on pupils’ self-esteem, behaviour and academic achievement.”
Our nurturing, values-led approach – where empathy, emotional literacy and resilience are woven into every part of the school day – stood out as a defining strength of The Villa. The report highlighted how children are supported through tools and techniques that enable them to regulate their emotions, build relationships, and face challenges with confidence.
Another area that received considerable praise was our ambitious, creative and enriching curriculum, which ensures that children are not only inspired to learn, but also regularly exceed expectations. The report states:
“The curriculum is engaging and challenging… Pupils make good progress and achieve well in lessons. Most pupils achieve above the school’s initial expectations in standardised tests.”
We were particularly pleased that inspectors recognised how we create meaningful connections in learning, how our children apply their knowledge confidently across subjects, and how we enrich the curriculum with real-life experiences, outdoor learning and trips.
The inspectors also commended our thoughtful approach to transitions, highlighting how we work closely with other schools to ensure each child moves on to the next stage of their education with confidence and care.
Our Early Years provision was also spotlighted, with inspectors noting that:
“Children develop their communication, language and social skills well as a result of staff’s teaching and interaction with them.”
And underpinning all of this was the recognition of the strength of our whole-school community. From staff who know every child as an individual, to parents who are closely involved in their child’s learning journey, The Villa was described as a place where “leaders promote an inclusive community where staff and pupils demonstrate respectful interactions.”
We are so proud of this report. It reflects our unwavering commitment to creating a school environment where children feel known, supported and inspired. We’re incredibly grateful to our staff team for their dedication, to our parents for their ongoing partnership, and – most importantly – to our children, whose joy, curiosity and compassion continue to shape the heart of The Villa.
