King's College schools of Madrid given 'Excellent' ISI ratings

The three King’s College schools of Madrid – King’s College Madrid (Tres Cantos), King’s College School (La Moraleja) y King’s Infant School (Chamartín) – have been rated as “Excellent” in every category by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

King’s College schools are the only schools in Madrid that are regularly inspected by the ISI, which is accredited by the British government. The three of them have achieved the highest rate that the Inspectorate gives (“Excellent” in every category) in their 2017 reports.

The body, accredited by the British government, inspected the three schools independently during March, April and May and concluded that in all of the categories analysed (including various aspects such as the pupils’ achievements and their learning, attitudes and skills or the quality of links with parents) the schools achieved an “Excellent” quality.

“This demonstrates the excellent calibre of the schools and how seriously we take school standards in teaching and learning, as well as the facilities, the overall learning environment and of course our pupils’ pastoral care.” added Elena Benito, CEO of King’s Group.

In the report for King’s College Madrid (Tres Cantos), the ISI highlighted the remarkable performance of the students, who “make excellent progress in their academic work; their achievements outside the formal curriculum are wide ranging thanks to the broad programme of additional activities provided by the school”. Moreover, the inspectors acknowledged that “the school’s curricular and extra-curricular provision [...] enables pupils to develop independent learning skills and attitudes, to build self- confidence and encourage creativity, successfully meeting the school’s aim”.

The ISI also underlined that “results in A-level examinations at the end of Year 13 are well above UK national averages, and the large majority of pupils proceed to universities which have high standards of entry, in the UK and other countries” and determined that “pupils leave the school as mature, self-confident and responsible young people.”

In regards to King’s College School (La Moraleja), the ISI highlights that the students “are successful beyond the classroom and in all their activities demonstrate a capacity for hard work and exemplary attitudes to learning” and emphasises the high quality of its teachers who “care deeply for the pupils” and “are eager to do their best”.

The ISI for this school also reported that “the pupils are extremely well-educated in line with the school’s aims to deliver a transformative learning experience to all its children” and determined that “by the time they leave the school in Year 9, pupils are mature and committed learners who are more than ready to cope with the next stage of their education.”

In the report for King’s Infant School (Chamartin), inspectors highlight that “pupils make excellent progress from the Nursery to the end of Year 2 and leave the school very well equipped for the next stage of their education”. Teaching is described as “consistently enthusiastic and often imaginative, cultivating extremely positive attitudes to learning and contributing to high levels of achievement”.

In addition, according to the report, in King’s Infant School “pupils feel very safe in school, reflecting the strong emphasis placed on their welfare, health and safety. The school’s safeguarding arrangements are extremely thorough”.

“Official British inspections are obligatory for schools in England and voluntary for schools abroad. The report is made public on the British Government's website. Many schools abroad are inspected, but in Madrid only the King's Schools have agreed to submit to this rigorous and public process, providing a guarantee of quality for parents and students”, said Sir Roger Fry, Founder and Chairman of King’s Group.

About ISI inspections

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is a body approved by the British Government for the purpose of inspecting schools in England and overseas. As such, ISI reports to the UK’s Department for Education (DfE) in regards to the extent to which schools meet the relevant Standards for British Schools Overseas (BSOs) and comply with the ISI Framework.

The inspection consists of two parts: a preliminary two-day visit followed by a four-day (team) inspection. The inspectors observe lessons, conduct formal interviews with pupils and staff and examine samples of pupils’ work. They hold discussions with senior members of staff, the Chair of Governors, the Chief Executive and members of the local Advisory Council.

Furthermore, inspectors observe a sample of the schools extra-curricular activities and attend registration sessions and assemblies. The responses of parents and pupils to pre- inspection questionnaires are analysed, and the inspectors examine documentation made available by the school.

About King's College

Sir Roger Fry, knighted in 2012 by Queen Elizabeth II for promoting British education internationally, founded the first King's College school in 1969 and, since then, the prestigious educational institution has grown to a total of nine schools in UK, Spain, Latvia (to be opened in September 2017) and Panama, with more than 4,300 students in total.

Thanks to the success of the institution, the excellent academic results achieved each year by its students and subsequently the university destinations accessed by pupils; King's Group has become one of the most important and prestigious international educational institutions in the world. (40% of students currently attend one of the Top 200 universities in the world, according to the Times Higher Education Ranking 2016).