Cayman Prep and High School Inspection Report  - Well Done Prep!

The inspection of the school by the Cayman Islands Government Schools Inspectorate took place in March of this year and the recently released report judged that CPHS is “a good school with some outstanding features.  Students achieve well and develop as responsible, thoughtful individuals as a result of the school’s distinctive Christian ethos and the effective teaching they receive.”  Students were said to be “spellbound” in some lessons and many lessons were described as “outstanding”.  Students “understand that the school has high expectations of their behaviour and respond very positively to this”.  Excellent support systems are in place for counselling, with personal, social and health education available to all.  The complete report can be obtained from the Council Office or the School or may be read on the Government website.

Cayman Prep and High School

Inspection Report - March 2006

Excerpts

• CPHS “is a good school with some outstanding features”
• Students’ “personal development is outstanding”
• “Students reach high standards in internationally recognised tests and examinations.”  In English, “by year 11, standards are well above those of students of the same age in England.” In Mathematics, “results in external examinations at the end of year 11 and in the sixth form are well above average in relation to international standards.”
• In years 1 – 6 “students’ results in English, Mathematics and Science are better than the average for schools in England, although a smaller proportion of students reach the higher levels”
• “in the subjects that were inspected, progress is even better in the high school than  in the prep”
• A Level (AS and A2) “results are good overall”
• “Students’ confidence in using their skills stands them in good stead for their education and beyond”
• “The teaching of students with special educational needs is very good in the language support class at the prep school and in the lower set mathematics and English classes at the high school. As a result, the students make remarkable progress, sometimes better than their peers in the mainstream.” “The learning support teachers know their students well. They establish a very warm, caring and enriched atmosphere in which students … feel safe, comfortable and confident.” “Arrangements for students with special educational needs are managed effectively at both sites and are good overall.”
• “Students spiritual development is excellent.” “Students’ moral development is exceptional. They are acutely aware of the distinction between right and wrong … speak and act with a strong sense of fairness and justice, regulating their own behaviour accordingly …” “Students’ social development is outstanding.” “Students were very well behaved and polite.”
• “Students have high levels of respect for their teachers” and “have high goals for themselves”
• “Staff are highly committed and hard working.” “Teachers are also very well prepared” and “have extensive knowledge of their subjects.”
• “Overall, leadership and management of the school are good.” “… a very positive climate for learning has been established.” “There is a clear and wholehearted commitment to children’s learning and achievement in the School” which “is transmitted effectively to staff.” “Students are well supported and protected from harm.”
• “There is a very good programme for counselling” through which “students and parents have acquired skills to build better relationships.” “There is a very good career guidance programme.”
• “A good curriculum that is broad and balanced for students of all ages.”

No school is perfect and obviously there are areas we could do better in. For example a recurring theme was perhaps captured in this comment: “The most able students could make even greater progress.” Two areas were noted as requiring improvement, use of assessment information and links between the prep and high school divisions, to enhance continuity of the education.

The particular challenge for the Church is in regard to space needs, for with all the good comments we cannot ignore a clear point that the rosy outlook for the School is “particularly if problems of overcrowding on the sites can be speedily resolved.”

Other News from the School:

Primary School

After a delay of one year, no thanks to Hurricane Ivan, the new two storey building at the Smith Road site was officially opened on 9 May 2006.  The opening and dedication ceremony included a blessing by the Rev. Colin Cowan, General Secretary of the United Church, cutting of the ribbon by Kelly Phillips who was the winner of the “Keep Building Education” logo competition, and remarks of appreciation to our community of parents, donors and well wishers from the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. Bud Johnson.

Plaques were placed in rooms sponsored by corporate entities such as Ernst and Young and Butterfield Bank.  Forthcoming sponsorship was announced by Simon Whicker of KPMG.  A large marble plaque, with the names of all contributing pupils, was unveiled by Mr. Brian Wilson, Vice Principal of the primary school.

Jamie McDowall, one of our Year 13 High School students, has been accepted to the United StatesAirForceAcademy to pursue a long desired career.  Only a small percentage of the top applicants are even short listed.  But this comes as no surprise to the school and serves to confirm what we have always known about this former Head Boy of our school.  Jamie has had an outstanding academic record, is an accomplished saxophone player and was a mentor to younger students.  He deserves every success in the future.

National Children’s Festival of the Arts

Many gold, bronze and silver medals were awarded for the numerous entries which the school submitted in various categories of the festival.  These included choirs, soloists, instrumental music, poetry and recitation to name just a few.  Much effort was put in by many teachers responsible for the excellent standards reached in this year’s festival.