PUPILS at Kimbolton Preparatory School benefit from good quality teaching and a high level of care, while students at Kimbolton School are happy, loyal to the school and have a sense of belonging , inspections found. Jonathan Belbin, headmaster of Kimb

PUPILS at Kimbolton Preparatory School benefit from "good quality teaching and a high level of care," while students at Kimbolton School are "happy, loyal to the school and have a sense of belonging", inspections found.

Jonathan Belbin, headmaster of Kimbolton School, said: "I am confident that Kimbolton is a very good school, but not complacent enough to believe we couldn't be even better.

"The report findings reflect our own self-assessment. Pupils are happy, well motivated and achieve excellent results through a whole range of activities, both academic and extra-curricular."

An Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) team also commented that the prep school has a "very positive ethos and this results in very good relationships, excellent behaviour and enthusiastic attitudes to work".

The inspection also noted that the prep school was very well led and managed by headteacher Richard Wells, and that "pupils achieve high standards by the time they leave the school in English and mathematics and good standards in science, largely as a result of effective teaching and a well planned curriculum".

Pupils' attainment in national tests at the age of 11 and over the last two years is far above the national average for all maintained primary schools in English and mathematics and well above that average in science.

The inspection found the school made good arrangements for the pastoral care and support of its pupils and the team also reported the children work and play in a safe environment.

It noted the school did have some minor shortcomings, including the assessment and recording of pupils' progress in some subjects was not fully effective and that insufficient use was made of ICT to support other areas of the curriculum.

* Kimbolton School proved to be a "successful school with many strengths".

The report found the "quality of teaching and learning is good, as is attainment and progress, while the school offers pupils a very special environment for their education, which includes a fine range of educational facilities and resources".

The school also has a "committed staff who contribute to the excellent pastoral care which enhances the high level of personal development of each pupil in both the academic and social sphere".

The quality of the teaching and non-teaching staff was found to be "very good" while the inspection also reported that the "books, equipment, materials and ICT which are needed to support the teaching, learning, study and recreation of the pupils at all levels, are very good in quantity, quality and organisation".

INFORMATION: Kimbolton School has 565 pupils aged 11-18. The prep school has 297 pupils aged four to 11.