Spring Grove School is an independent co-educational school for pupils aged between 2 and 11 years situated in the village of Wye in Kent. It is housed in a Georgian mansion built in 1674 and set in 14 acres of land. For a large part of its history, it has been run as a family school with a homely atmosphere and emphasis on good manners. In 2003, there were 79 pupils on roll. Then, the school was taken over by a new trust that appointed the present headmaster. At the time of the inspection, there were 28 pupils under compulsory school age attending part-time and 134 pupils of compulsory school age. The school has begun to expand into a two-form entry and it now has two Reception and two Year 1 classes. It has no pupils with a statement of educational need on roll and no pupils learning English as an additional language. The school teaches a curriculum aimed at preparing pupils for the Kent selection process for grammar schools, as well as selective independent schools. It seeks to continue the tradition of providing a family atmosphere in which pupils can flourish, ‘develop a spirit of enquiry…an ability to work hard and independently… a sense of social conscience…and learn the importance of being a good citizen’, whilst being enabled to achieve as highly as possible. ‘We aim to develop all the children who join Spring Grove to their full potential, academically, socially, physically and emotionally in a supportive, caring and friendly community. We also encourage all the children to support the school motto of ‘Always Do Your Best.’’ Summary of main findings Spring Grove School is an outstanding school. In the last two years, the curricular provision has improved and expanded under the leadership of the new headmaster and his dedicated staff, and is now outstanding. The quality of teaching is good with outstanding features. There are thorough procedures in place to assess pupils’ work and monitor their progress. In view of the quality of its self-evaluation, the school has the capacity to improve further. It is successful in meeting its stated aim of developing all pupils to their full potential in a supportive and friendly atmosphere. Through the pastoral system, the curricular provision and the impact of staff as excellent role models, it creates a happy and nurturing ethos. As an outcome of the school’s excellent provision for pupils’ moral, social and cultural development, their personal development is outstanding. Their spiritual development is good. The school takes pupils’ welfare, health and safety very seriously and demonstrates a high level of care. The quality of information provided to parents and other partners is outstanding and the school enjoys the overwhelming support of parents. The school complies with all the regulations for registration.