Frewen College

Frewen College Inspection report for residential special school

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SC049345 Unique reference number 10 March 2009 Inspection date Paul Taylor / Liz Daniels Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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Frewen Educational Trust Ltd Address Frewen College Brickwall Rye Road Northiam RYE East Sussex TN31 6NL 01797 252494 Telephone number office@frewencollege.org Email The Frewen Educational Trust Ltd Registered person Linda Smith Head of care Linda Smith Head / Principal 27 November 2007 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 8 Inspection Report: Frewen College, 10 March 2009

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Brief description of the service

Frewen College is a day and weekly boarding school for boys aged between nine and 17 years of age, also offering day places for girls. Boarders are able to stay at the school for weekends if they choose.

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Brief description of the service

The school provides a specialist education for young people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Asperger's syndrome, sensory integration and speech and language difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, fitness room, modern library and learning centre; football and basketball play areas and extensive grounds and parkland of a Grade 1 listed property.

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Brief description of the service

The school is a registered charity run by a governing body. The charity is also responsible for the running of ‘The Oaks’, a primary school located a short distance from the college campus.

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Brief description of the service

All the young people who attend the school have been identified as having special educational needs (SEN). At the time of the inspection there were 25 boarders out of a school roll of 90 young people.

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Summary

Frewen College continues to offer excellent levels of support, activities and interests to the pupils who board there. The high staffing ratio and good communication ensures that each boarder's needs are known and met. The school responds efficiently and conscientiously to any child protection matters and all members of staff know what to do in the event that they have concerns about a boarder's welfare.

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Summary

The employment of a member of staff prior to satisfactory checks being completed combined with the fact that sanctions imposed are not always recorded in the sanctions book and the lack of details in the restraints log means that overall judgement of the school is satisfactory.

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Summary

Five recommendations were made as a result of this inspection. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Five of the six recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed. These include improving the recording of complaints by pupils, ensuring fire records are signed by the author, regular supervision, recording how pupil’s personal targets are achieved and ensuring that the call bell in the sick bay works.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Onr recommendations is carried over from the last inspection. This is in relation to ensuring that any sanctions imposed on boarders are recorded in the sanctions book.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: Frewen College, 10 March 2009

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The quality of boarding at Frewen College is satisfactory and most of the key National Minimum Standards are met. One outcome area is outstanding, three areas are judged as good and two are satisfactory. Some key standards are not met. Records of restraints in the book kept for this purpose do not contain all the details required by National Minimum Standards. Sanctions imposed are not always recorded in the sanctions record. One member of the boarding staff commenced employment without a Criminal Records Bureau check or references. However this staff member was supervised until the necessary checks were received. The health care plans do not clearly outline the care pupils may require to meet specific health needs.

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Organisation

Five of the six recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed. These include improving the recording of complaints by pupils, ensuring fire records are signed by the author, regular supervision, recording how pupils personal targets are achieved and ensuring that the call bell in the sick bay works.

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Organisation

The catering facility at the school is excellent, enabling the young people to enjoy a healthy balanced diet that meets their needs and choices. There is very good liaison between various healthcare professionals to support the staff in meeting the young people's health and emotional needs. Health care plans do not currently detail the specific care required to meet the young people's health needs. A well organised medical centre provides facilities for the pupils to receive medical treatment. The school nurse has introduced very good medication procedures and First Aid is well managed.

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Organisation

Staff follow child protection procedures when necessary and record liaison with other agencies very well. The head teacher is the named person for child protection in the school. The head teacher and head of boarding provide training and guidance for all staff in child protection. Pupils know who they can complain to and records kept of their complaints and comments are good.

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Organisation

A member of staff in the boarding team started working at the school before a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check had been completed and before references had been received.

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Organisation

Pupils have numerous opportunities to share their views in formal arenas such as the school council and boarding meetings as well as informally with a variety of staff members. An example 5 of 8 Inspection Report: Frewen College, 10 March 2009 of an improvement in boarding influenced by pupils was the purchase of a large flat screen television.

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Organisation

Activities offered to the pupils are varied and give them an opportunity to expand their life experience. The excellent choice and clear structure of activities means that pupils find boarding both interesting and enjoyable.

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Organisation

Interaction between boarders and staff is seen to be relaxed and warm. The small size of the boarding community means that members of staff are very aware of each pupil’s needs. Pastoral support and care is of a very high standard. If bullying occurs the pupils are very clear that the staff will deal with it and offer support to the victim and advice to the perpetrator.

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Organisation

Pupils feel that sanctions are given fairly and that they are also encouraged and rewarded for behaving well.

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Organisation

Accommodation in the school is comfortable and clean. Pupils are able to personalise their rooms with pictures and posters. Pupils privacy is protected and the staff have clear guidelines in place with regards to respecting their privacy. The school’s grounds are extensive and have numerous facilities including a swimming pool, park land, football pitch and all weather play surface. Pupils are able to contact their families and friends via mobile telephones, email and the school's telephone. Most go home at weekends.

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Organisation

The school has regularly reviewed risk assessments which ensure that pupils safety is protected and promoted both during activities and on the premises. Fire drills, checks of fire equipment and other safety checks are carried out regularly. A clear policy is in place for the staff to follow in the event that a pupil is missing. Records show that this is effectively followed if needed.

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Organisation

Levels of staffing are good and the pupils report that they have easy access to advice and support. New staff undergo an induction process which includes child protection training and familiarisation with boarding routines. Examples of other training received includes first aid and training in the use of an ‘epipen.’

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Organisation

The school ensures that pupils receive very good support from professionals within the school’s staff and experts available from outside the school such as psychologists and psychiatrists.

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Organisation

The school’s written prospectus does not make clear the change in registration which occurred in 2006, of the types of special education need for which the school is registered. Records kept within boarding and key records such as sanctions and restraints are regularly checked by senior members of staff, however, details missing from restraints records and inconsistency of recording of sanctions means that the overall category achieved in the area of organisation is satisfactory.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Pupils’ individuality is clearly understood and excellent support is offered to meet their idiosyncratic needs. Numerous opportunities are offered to the pupils to enjoy cultural activities and to celebrate differences between religions, races and cultures.

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Organisation

Ensure that health care plans contain written information on how each pupil’s specific health needs will be met. (NMS 14) 6 of 8 Inspection Report: Frewen College, 10 March 2009 Ensure that the record of restraints includes all the details required by the National Minimum Standards. (NMS 10)

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Organisation

Ensure that all sanctions imposed are recorded in the sanctions book. (NMS 10)

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Organisation

Ensure that all necessary checks are carried out on staff before they commence employment. (NMS 10)

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Organisation

Ensure that the written prospectus contains information which outlines the type of special education need for which the school is registered. (NMS 1)

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that health care plans contain written information on how each pupil’s specific health needs will be met. (NMS 14) • ensure that the record of restraints includes all the details required by the National Minimum Standards. (NMS 10) • ensure that all sanctions imposed are recorded in the sanctions book. (NMS 10) • ensure that all necessary checks are carried out on staff before they commence employment. (NMS 27) • ensure that the written prospectus contains information which outlines the type of special education need for which the school is registered. (NMS 1) 7 of 8 Inspection Report: Frewen College, 10 March 2009

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