My Choice School - Oak House

My Choice School-Oak House Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 845/6057 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135766 Inspection number 367295 Inspection dates 23 June 2011 Reporting inspector Jill Bainton 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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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

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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. 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

The school, which is also a children’s home, is located in the annex of a large house in a residential area. The school admits students, who are looked after, from the age of 11 to 16 years. Students reside in a house adjacent to the school.

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Information about the school

The school’s first inspection was in October 2010. There is currently one student on roll. Students have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and all have a statement of special educational needs. Students, past and current, have a history of non attendance at their previous schools, along with highly challenging behaviour. The school aims ‘to promote students’ self-esteem and positive behaviour; to develop their achievement and skills; to involve parents and carers in a joint approach to education; and, to prepare students for adult life’. The school describes its role as primarily a transition programme and not a long-term option for students. As students develop and mature, they are encouraged to transfer into a mainstream school while remaining resident in the children’s home.

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Context of the inspection

The school was last inspected in October 2010 when it met most, but not all, of the regulations for independent schools. Inspectors judged that the quality of education was satisfactory and students made satisfactory progress overall in their learning. Teaching and the curriculum were satisfactory. Students were kept safe and secure. Safeguarding procedures, including welfare, health and safety arrangements, were satisfactory. Although there were robust procedures in place for vetting staff, proprietors and others, the school failed to record the required information in the correct format in a single central register. The admission register and the provision of information for parents, carers and others did not comply with all regulatory requirements.

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Context of the inspection

Following the last inspection the school produced an action plan indicating how it intended to improve the areas of weakness so that all regulatory requirements were met. The action plan was evaluated and accepted as satisfactory in February 2011. This is the first monitoring visit to the school to evaluate the progress it has made in implementing its action plan. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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action plan

At the time of the last inspection the school did not meet all requirements in respect of provision for welfare, health and safety of students. The admission register did not contain the address of the last school attended by students, or the emergency telephone numbers of parents and carers as required to fulfill the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. The admission register has been improved and all of the required information is contained within it. Regulation 17 is now met.

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action plan

The last inspection judged that while safeguarding procedures were robust, and all staff and others were suitably checked to ensure their suitability to work with children, the school’s single central record did not meet requirements. Recruitment and staff vetting procedures are very secure. The single central register has been updated and the record meets requirements.

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action plan

In October 2010, the school did not provide, or make available, to parents and others, information on the particulars of educational and welfare provision for students who speak English as an additional language. This detail is now provided, or made available, and all provision of information requirements is met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress in implementing its action plan to rectify regulatory failures. It now meets all regulatory requirements. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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School details

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

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School details

Number of boarders Boys: 1 Girls: 0 Total: 1

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School details

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

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School details

Number of pupils who are looked after Boys: 1 Girls: 0 Total: 1

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School details

Address of school Unit 3a, Mill Green Business Estate, Mill Green Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1XQ Telephone number 01444 446920

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School details

Email address a.murphy@my-choice-homes.com

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School details

Proprietor My Choice Children’s Homes Ltd

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