A nursery and pre-prep school where children recreated a painting by Cezanne has been rated ‘excellent’ across the board.

Annemount School in Holne Chase, Hampstead Garden Suburb, received a glowing report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), following an inspection from November 22 to 24, 2022.

The independent school welcomes girls and boys from the age of two and three quarters up to the age of seven.

The education watchdog for independent schools found that pupils’ academic and other achievements, as well as their personal development, was ‘excellent’.

The ISI report stated that “pupils of all ages and abilities have outstanding knowledge and skills across a range of subjects”.

Pupils were described as “competent users of ICT” and as having “excellent attitudes to learning”, working well as individuals and also in pairs or small groups.

Inspectors also said that pupils confirmed that “their teachers help them learn”.

Ham & High: Inspectors said that pupils confirmed that “their teachers help them learn”Inspectors said that pupils confirmed that “their teachers help them learn” (Image: Annemount School)

During the inspection, the school was praised for the “strong creative skills” shown by children in Reception.

They noted how pupils “carefully represented Cezanne’s Still Life with Fruit Dish, using coloured pastels to great effect and accurately representing the different shapes”.

Overall, inspectors found that pupils “make rapid progress and achieve high levels of attainment for their age”.

The report also praised the school for the quality of pupil’s personal development, stating that students “exhibit excellent levels of self-confidence and resilience”.

Inspectors added that pupils appeared “well prepared for the next stage in their lives”.

Appreciation of cultural diversity by students was also praised in the inspection report after it found that “pupils explained how they enjoyed learning about other cultures from their friends”.

Pupils were said to “work and play effectively with their peers”, and to also “have an excellent understanding of right and wrong”, demonstrating “clear respect for their school and class rules”.

Ham & High: Pupils were said to “work and play effectively with their peers”Pupils were said to “work and play effectively with their peers” (Image: Annemount School)

To improve, the school was advised to ensure that pupils “apply their ICT skills more widely across the curriculum”.

To compile the report, inspectors observed lessons, had discussions with pupils and examined samples of pupils’ work.

The school had previously not been inspected since 2018, when it was found to meet necessary requirements by the ISI.