Chard is an independent co-educational preparatory day school for pupils from two to 11. The school has a Christian foundation and occupies a series of listed buildings in the town’s main street. There has been a school on the site since May 1671. The 110 boys and girls are mainly from homes locally although some are from much further away. Few of the pupils have learning difficulties or disabilities and none presently has a statement of special educational need. Children start in the nursery and progress through reception, either part or full time, to the main school. The school ethos focuses firmly on the traditional values of hard work, good manners and discipline, within a happy and caring environment. This ethos is reflected in the school’s stated aims which include; “a happy, caring atmosphere, which encourages the pursuit of excellence and enables each pupil to develop his or her skills, whilst being both educationally stimulated and challenged.” Evaluation of the school This is a good school with a number of outstanding features. The quality of education provided is good with outstanding features. For example, the quality of teaching, is consistently very good, particularly in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science. The school benefits from staff who are dedicated, enthusiastic and work together with a consistent approach. This has a positive impact on the progress pupils make in their academic, sporting and personal development which is excellent. The quality of care is satisfactory. The school meets most of the regulations for independent schools.