The Swaminarayan School, Europe’s first independent Hindu school, has received an outstanding report following its recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), confirming its position as one of the best independent schools in the country.

ISI, the agency responsible for the inspection of all accredited independent schools, examines and reports on all educational provision for pupils, including those less than five years of age.

The Swaminarayan School is an independent day school for boys and girls aged between two-and-a-half to eighteen years. It has a total of 443 pupils; 199 in the Preparatory School (two-and-a-half- to eleven-year-olds) and 244 in the Senior School (eleven- to eighteen-year-olds), including 28 in the sixth form.

The School was founded in 1992 by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj to provide the very best of British education while reinforcing Hindu values and traditions.

After spending almost a week at the School, the team of ten ISI inspectors reported on the School’s excellent standards, highlighting the success that has been achieved not only through exceptional academic results, but also in providing spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in addition to excellent pastoral care and links to the community.

The official report states: “The Swaminarayan School provides its pupils of all ages, including the Early Years, with a well-rounded educational experience of high quality. Academic standards are high overall when compared to those found nationally and the quality of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding.

“Much of the teaching provides excitement, challenge and enrichment beyond the normal curriculum.

“The leadership of the school is outstanding and its management at each level and in both schools [Preparatory and Senior] is very effective. It is very well supported by a highly qualified body of teaching staff who in turn are ably assisted by a committed team of administrative and ancillary staff.

“Pastoral care and provision for the welfare, health and safety of the pupils are outstanding and are well suited to the needs of the pupils. Throughout both schools, pupils retain their composure before and during lessons, show self-control and acquire a sense of purpose about their schooling.

“The Hindu ethos which permeates through all areas of school life enhances the learning experiences of all pupils and substantially contributes to their personal development.”

Headteacher Mr Mahendra Savjani attributed the ISI’s findings to the collective efforts of everyone involved with the School. He said: “The credit for this success goes to our teamwork – committed and dedicated staff supported by governors, hardworking pupils and parents who recognise the value of education.”

This latest success follows the School’s exceptional GCSE results from the summer of 2008 and affirms its fourth position in the 2007 Independent Schools League Table published by the Government in January 2008. (This year’s tables are yet to be published.)

Congratulations to all the pupils, staff, parents and governors of The Swaminarayan School for continuing to build on their successes and achieving an excellent report. We wish them continued success in the future.

To view the full report on the ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) website, please click here.

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