The Independent School Standards (Wales) Regulations 2003

Quality of education provided

1.—(1) The quality of education provided by the school meets the standard if the requirements in sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) are met.

(2) The school must draw up and implement effectively a written policy on the curriculum supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for —

(a)full-time supervised education for all pupils of compulsory school age, which gives pupils experience in the following areas: linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education;

(b)subject matter appropriate for the ages and aptitudes of pupils, including those pupils with a statement;

(c)pupils to acquire skills in speaking and listening, literacy and numeracy;

(d)where the principal language of instruction is a language other than English or Welsh, lessons in written and spoken English or Welsh, except that this requirement will not apply in respect of a school or part of a school which provides education for pupils who are temporarily resident in Wales and which follows the curriculum of another country;

(e)where a pupil has a statement, education which fulfils its requirements;

(f)personal, social and health education which reflects the school’s aims and ethos;

(g)appropriate careers guidance for pupils receiving secondary education;

(h)where the school has pupils below or above compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their respective needs;

(i)the opportunity for all pupils to learn and make progress; and

(j)appropriate preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

(3) The teaching at the school must —

(a)enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and make progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught;

(b)foster in pupils the application of intellectual, physical or creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves;

(c)involve well planned lessons, effective teaching methods, suitable activities and wise management of class time;

(d)show a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils and ensure these are taken into account in the planning of lessons;

(e)demonstrate appropriate knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught;

(f)utilise effectively classroom resources of an adequate quality, quantity and range;

(g)demonstrate that a framework is in place to assess pupils' work regularly and thoroughly and use information from such assessments to plan teaching so that pupils can progress; and

(h)encourage pupils to behave responsibly.

(4) The school must have in place a framework for pupil performance to be evaluated, by reference either to the school’s own aims as provided to parents or national norms, or to both.

(5) The school must provide effective education for all pupils within a class to make progress, including pupils with statements and those for whom Welsh or English is an additional language.