The Firs School in Chester Becomes First in Area to Earn Prestigious ‘Significant Strength’ Award in Latest Inspection

 

The Firs School in Chester is proud to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious “Significant Strength” in its latest independent school inspection, becoming the first school in Chester and the surrounding area to receive this distinction under the new National  Independent Schools Inspectorate.

The award recognises 'Mutual Respect' as an area of exceptional strength within the school and reflects the consistently high standards across teaching, pupil development, pastoral care, and leadership.

Headteacher David Girvan commented: “This is a proud moment for our entire school community. To be recognised as having a significant strength under the revised framework is an exceptional achievement and a testament to the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils, and the continued support of our parents.”

Key strengths identified in the report include:

Outstanding Teaching and Learning: Lessons are engaging, well-structured, and promote curiosity and critical thinking.

• Exemplary Pastoral Care: The school provides a nurturing environment where every child feels supported and valued.

• Pupil Personal Development: Pupils consistently demonstrate confidence, empathy, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility.

• Leadership and Vision: School leaders have a clear, ambitious vision that is effectively embedded into daily school life.

The inspection report states:

“Pupils display high standards of behaviour, particularly through the way in which they show mutual respect towards others. Pupils’ respectful behaviour is underpinned by their firm understanding of the school’s code of conduct, known as ‘The Firs’ Way’. On the rare occasions that pupils do not behave with consideration to others, leaders and teachers consistently apply restorative practice to enable pupils to take responsibility for and understand the impact of their actions. This approach has reduced the number of behavioural issues. The mutual respect shown by pupils is a significant strength of the school.”

Inspectors praised the school’s holistic approach to education, noting its ability to ensure pupils flourish academically while developing personally and socially.

 

Mr Girvan added: “We believe that education is about more than just results. It’s about preparing children for life. At the heart of this is mutual respect, valuing others even when opinions differ, treating everyone with dignity, and fostering an inclusive environment where all children feel accepted, appreciated, and empowered to be their best selves.”