Kestrel House School

Kestrel House Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 309/6002 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135683 Inspection number 366462 Inspection dates 8 February 2011 Reporting inspector Michael Best 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

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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

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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. 1,2

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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.

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Information about the school

Kestrel House School is an independent special school which was registered in September 2008 and is situated in a residential area of North London. The school’s premises are a large, detached, former stage school caters for up to 50 pupils aged from three to 16 years. Currently, there are 22 pupils on roll aged between four and 13, including two children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. All have a statement of special educational needs, mostly related to autistic spectrum conditions, although some also have additional learning and behavioural needs. Some have experienced significant periods out of full-time education prior to attending this school and their attainment on entry to the school is well below average. The vast majority of pupils are referred by local authorities in London and the Home Counties. The school is part of the Eagle House Group.

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Information about the school

The school experienced a large turnover of staff in the last school year. Pending the appointment of a new headteacher, the senior leadership currently comprises an interim headteacher and newly appointed deputy headteacher.

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Information about the school

The school’s vision is ‘to extend to all pupils an irresistible invitation to learn, to motivate and engage them in all social, communication and academic activities where they are valued for their individuality, strengths and challenges so that they may be happy and successful members of society’.

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Context of the inspection

The school was inspected in December 2009, when a number of regulations were identified as not being met. The school submitted an action plan to address these in March 2010 but this had a number of shortcomings. A second action plan was submitted in April 2010 which was approved in May 2010. An initial monitoring visit was made to the school in October 2010 to check the progress made in implementing its action plan; most but not all of the outstanding regulations were

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Context of the inspection

1 www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/ukpga_20020032_en_14#pt10-ch1-pb4-l1g162 2 www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2005/ukpga_20050018_en_15#sch8 Independent school progress monitoring inspection report met. This second monitoring visit was made to check the progress made by the school in meeting the remaining outstanding regulations.

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action plan

The inspection report of December 2009 found that the school’s programme of careers education and guidance for pupils in Year 9 and above was not yet fully implemented. The school planned to put in place a programme of staff training and support from outside agencies and also to acquire additional teaching resources. At the time of the first progress monitoring visit, the school had implemented a revised scheme of work for students’ personal, social and health education and citizenship. Although this provision included elements of careers education, links with outside agencies and training for staff had yet to be established. These shortcomings have been successfully addressed; discussion with students and scrutiny of their work demonstrate the positive impact of the improved provision for careers education. The requirement is now met.

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action plan

At the time of the inspection in December 2009, it was found that the flooring in most rooms was unsuitable for wet activities and had deteriorated as a result of excessive staining. The school’s action plan stated that tenders would be invited for replacement of the flooring. A rolling programme of renewal and improvement has since been implemented, addressing the previous shortcomings. The requirement is now met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

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

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Type of school

Special school for pupils with autistic spectrum conditions and additional learning and behavioural needs

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Type of school

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 18 Girls: 3 Total: 21

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Type of school

Number on roll (part-time pupils) Boys: 1 Girls: 0 Total: 1

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Address of school

Email address admin@kestrelhouseschool.co.uk

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Address of school

Headteacher Mrs Sue Thorne (interim headteacher)

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