Great Howarth School

Horizon School Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

DfE registration number 351/6015 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135753 Inspection number 363622 Inspection dates 18 October 2010 Reporting inspector Chanan Tomlin achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you

p.1

give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’. Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann’s Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090137 Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

p.2

Purpose and scope of the inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005.

p.3

Purpose and scope of the inspection

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

p.3

Information about the school

Horizon Care (whose head office is based in Cannock) owns a number of children’s homes and schools in the midlands and the north west of England. In addition to this school in Whitefield, Bury, the company has one school in Cannock, Staffordshire and another in Deal, Kent. The school is located in a large Victorian terraced house on the main Manchester to Bury road. It has been refurbished for the purpose of education and is a leased property.

p.3

Information about the school

The school serves up to eight boys and girls, aged between 11 and 16. These students are unable to attend a local mainstream or special school; they live in one of the company’s four locally registered children’s homes. All students have statements of special educational needs for behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

p.3

Context of the inspection

The school was last inspected in June 2009. It produced an action plan that was evaluated in September 2009. This action plan was broadly satisfactory. A small number of planned actions needed to be clarified. The school was required to amend the policy for educational visits to ensure that parental permission was sought for each educational activity, to provide a copy of the updated health and safety policy for evaluation and provide the DCSF with documentation demonstrating compliance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. In response, the school produced a second action plan that was evaluated in November 2009. This action plan was satisfactory and no further clarification was required in respect of the areas for improvement. This present visit was made to assess the implementation of the action plan.

p.3

action plan

The previous inspection found that the school did not prepare students for their future adequately through its curriculum. The school planned to improve this aspect of the curriculum, seek advice on careers provision and set up alternative transition arrangements. As a result of implementing its plan, the school now equips students Independent school progress monitoring inspection report for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life by providing them with work-based learning, alternative curriculum pathways, general careers advice and advice on transition. Students are guided by ‘Aimhigher’, the government’s initiative to promote university attendance, when appropriate, and there is a good system for peer mentoring. Students are actively engaged in on-going work experience and take part in mock interviews to improve their interviewing skills. They learn about entrepreneurs, teamwork, markets, personal finance, advertisement,

p.3

action plan

employment skills. The previous inspection found that classroom resources were inadequate. The school planned to review and improve them. Resources throughout the school are now of a good quality, quantity and range and are used effectively by teachers. Students make good use of information technology in their studies.

p.4

action plan

It was found during the previous inspection that the curriculum did not provide students with adequate information on services in England or experiences of other cultures. The school planned to improve these aspects of the curriculum. As a result of the improvements, students now gain a broad general knowledge of public institutions and services in England and acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures. Police visit the school to discuss anti-social behaviour and related issues with the students. Students visit galleries, museums, libraries and sports venues and gain insights into university life through ‘Aimhigher’. They take part in a project on local ethnic groups and study Indian influences on art. The school has a ‘Cultural Week’ at the end of the year where they present portfolios on different cultures. They visit Chinatown and enjoy ‘reward meals’ consisting of foods

p.4

action plan

from around the world. Students also learn about different cultures through art, dance, drama and history.

p.4

action plan

During the previous inspection, it was found that the health and safety policy was incomplete, that there were no suitable facilities for students who might become ill and that the school did not comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. The school now has a suitable health and safety policy that includes all of the necessary details. The policy ensures that the school acquires permission from parents before students are taken on educational outings and conducts risk assessments for trips outside school. There is now a suitable room for students that are ill. The school has prepared a policy and a three-year plan to improve accessibility for students that are disabled and now fulfils its duties under the Disability Discrimination Act.

p.4

action plan

The inspection found shortfalls in the information provided by the school. The school prospectus now contains all of the necessary details. Audited accounts are sent at the end of each financial year to local authorities that fund students attending the school.

p.4

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

p.4

School details

Type of school Special school for students with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties

p.5

School details

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 0 Girls: 4 Total: 4

p.5

School details

Number on roll (part-time pupils) Boys: 0 Girls: 0 Total: 0

p.5

School details

Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs Boys: 0 Girls: 1 Total: 1

p.5

School details

Address of school 169 Bury New Road Whitefield Manchester Greater Manchester M45 6AB Telephone number 0161 766 4576

p.5

School details

Email address horizon.whitefield@horizoncare.co.uk

p.5