ISI Inspection Report - Flipbook - Page 34
Inspection of Educational Quality
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high aspirations are met in their success in gaining places at universities with demanding selection
criteria both in the UK and overseas, with an increasing number of pupils choosing to study in the
United States and Canada.
4.6
Pupils throughout the school respond well to the balanced curriculum. They demonstrate effective
learning skills because the work they are given is matched to their ability and in most cases appropriate
support and challenge are offered in teaching. Senior school pupils, for example, are able to crossreference topics using their information and communication technology (ICT) skills, in mathematics,
physics and geography. Data scrutinised during the inspection demonstrated that in cases where
pupils require support with their progress, appropriate interventions are having a significantly positive
effect on their progress. Pupils of all ages spoke positively about their learning experience. They
commented that in most teaching they are encouraged through interesting and sometimes
provocative discussions to explore beyond the bounds of the examination specification. In the preinspection questionnaire, a small minority of pupils did not agree that most lessons are interesting.
Inspection evidence shows that a great deal of the teaching, in all sections of the senior school,
captures the interest of the pupils of all abilities and challenges them. More able pupils, in the sixth
form in particular, achieve at a particularly high level since open-ended opportunities, as seen in
lessons observed, most especially those of a mathematical and scientific nature, provide additional
challenges for their abilities.
4.7
Pupils’ communication skills are excellent. They are actively encouraged to develop strong
communication skills and provided with many opportunities during lessons to collaborate and share
their ideas and opinions. Turi teams regularly win debating competitions. Pupils show a readiness to
ask questions and seek clarification or support when needed. This was seen in a Year 12 English lesson
during a lively discussion regarding the relationship between Stella and Stanley in a Streetcar named
Desire. The effectiveness of such lessons reflects the encouragement that pupils receive to share
ideas; listen carefully to their peers; engage in feedback and ultimately develop their speaking and
listening skills.
4.8
Pupils demonstrate a secure understanding of number and attainment in both mathematics and
sciences, as seen in Year 9 physics in which pupils showed excellent use of formulae to calculate
wavelength and frequency, drawing on their mathematical knowledge in producing a suitable
equation. In Year 12 mathematics, pupils could confidently explain harder trigonometric equations
using mathematical diagrams, enabling pupils to further challenge each other, taking their learning to
a higher level by defining linear expression. In the senior school, pupils explained how they feel
confident in using mathematics in other subject areas; to generate spreadsheets in business studies;
to undertake calculations in physics and in economics to calculate and graph averages. This is as a
result of staff meeting the individual needs of the pupils through careful selection of activities; suitable
interventions in class to support those who find numeracy more difficult.
4.9
Pupils demonstrate good skills in the use of word processing packages. They make creative use of ICT
in a range of subjects as evidenced in work scrutiny as observed by inspectors. Pupils benefit from
being provided with a wide range of opportunities to make use of ICT across the curriculum, and to
use it creatively. For example, in Year 11 music pupils used suitable online resources to record and
overlap musical pieces to successfully produce a group composition. Pupils’ use of, and competence
in ICT has improved significantly during the lockdown periods, as seen in the work scrutiny, in which
the pupils were able to demonstrate highly effective use of online learning resources. Governors have
made the decision to invest heavily in ICT resourcing, with the opening of a new ICT Centre and
development of a Learning Hub which it is hoped will further promote the importance of ICT in
learning.
4.10 Pupils' study skills are excellent and demonstrate their ability to think critically, analyse, and to
evaluate problems and recommend solutions. Pupils plan and organise their work effectively, read
critically and reflect on the knowledge gained. They display high levels of concentration in class and
show that they can apply themselves to tasks effectively. For example, in a Year 9 history lesson pupils
© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2022
St Andrew’s School – Turi – Kenya – March 2022
