La Chouette School

Overview

La Chouette School is a bilingual independent setting for children aged two to six, judged ‘Good’ for overall effectiveness. The report describes a nurturing environment where children are “happy and safe,” benefiting from high expectations and a “rich bilingual environment” that supports their learning and personal development.

Strengths

• Children show “curiosity, persistence and pride in their work,” engaging confidently in both English and French through songs, counting, and daily conversations.
• The curriculum is “ambitious and carefully structured,” with activities sequenced to help children build knowledge step by step in both languages.
• Staff know each child well, adapting teaching to individual needs; children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “quickly identified” and make “secure progress.”
• Behaviour is “calm and orderly,” with adults encouraging independence and helping children manage their emotions effectively.
• The school works closely with parents and ensures full compliance with independent school standards and the Equality Act 2010.

Areas to improve

• Staff interactions are not “consistently effective in building on what children already know,” meaning the curriculum is not always delivered as intended and children do not learn all they could.
• The school should continue supporting staff to refine teaching approaches so that interactions “purposefully build on children’s prior learning” across all areas.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”