Philpots Manor School

Philpots Manor School Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 938/6219 Unique Reference Number (URN) 126141 URN for social care SC372592 Inspection number 382447 Inspection dates 28 June 2011 Reporting inspector Sandra Teacher Social care inspector Liz Driver 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 .

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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, and under the Care Standards Act 2000 having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools or residential special schools.

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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

Philpots Manor School, which opened in 1956, is a co-educational residential special school for up to 60 pupils aged from seven to 19 years. Situated on the edge of West Hoathly, West Sussex, it follows the social and educational principles of Rudolf Steiner. The aim of the school is that each pupil develops physically, emotionally, academically, spiritually and socially to the highest degrees of which they are able.

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Information about the school

At the time of the monitoring inspection, there were 45 pupils on roll, with boys outnumbering girls by three to one. All of the pupils have a statement of special educational needs and approximately three quarters are boarders. Many pupils have had previous negative experiences of school, including sustained periods of non attendance. All have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and many also have specific learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Information about the school

The last inspection, carried out in February 2011, was an integrated education and welfare inspection which included the inspection of the effectiveness of boarding provision.

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Context of the inspection

In the last inspection, welfare, health and safety and the quality of boarding provision were judged inadequate. This was because safeguarding procedures, including child protection, risk assessments for boarders and security arrangements were not robust enough. The school submitted an action plan in May 2011, which was evaluated on 20 May 2011, and the overall judgement was the action taken, or that proposed by the school, was satisfactory, subject to satisfactory implementation which must be checked. This first integrated monitoring inspection was to evaluate the progress made in meeting the regulations outlined the action plan. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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action plan

The previous inspection report judged the quality of education as good and the curriculum outstanding. Provision for welfare, health and safety was inadequate because safeguarding procedures, including security and child protection arrangements, were not robust enough. A detailed action plan was submitted and outcomes from this monitoring inspection show that good progress has been made in the implementation of the action plan. All regulatory requirements, including those for safeguarding, are met.

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action plan

With regard to remedying child protection and safeguarding weaknesses, the school has made significant changes and amendments to their safeguarding policies, procedures and practices. A satisfactory child protection policy, that has been approved by the local authority safeguarding board, is now in place and it is implemented effectively. Procedures ensure all child protection incidents are recorded and reported to the appropriate authorities. The school has a designated member of staff for child protection who has undergone appropriate training. The designated person is supported by an education coordinator who is included in the school’s safeguarding team. As a result, communication with child protection agencies has improved and it is now good. All adults, in education and boarding, have been suitably trained to fulfil their child protection duties. Records relating to child protection, and risk assessments, are suitably organised, well maintained and

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action plan

are regularly monitored by senior staff. Risk assessments for individual pupils, and for the premises and grounds, are thorough. Good individual pupil risk assessments exist and they are reviewed termly. The school has reviewed its monitoring of all records and now has a robust system in place.

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action plan

Good progress has been made to improve the security. Security arrangements are now satisfactory and all staff and pupils are kept safe and secure. Detailed risk assessments are carried out for all aspects of welfare, health and safety, including security. Procedures are implemented effectively. For example, boarding staff diligently ensure that boarding accommodation is safe and secure. At the time of the last inspection, a risk assessment was not carried out on boarding staff, who worked long hours, to monitor the impact of working additional hours on staff and pupils safety. This weakness has been addressed effectively. Appropriate risk assessments now exist and they are suitably monitored by senior staff.

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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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School details

Type of school Steiner Waldorf residential special school

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School details

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 33 Girls: 12 Total: 45

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School details

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

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School details

Number of boarders Boys: 23 Girls: 9 Total: 32

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School details

Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs Boys: 33 Girls: 12 Total: 45

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School details

Address of school West Hoathly, West Sussex RH19 4PR

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School details

Email address linda.churnside@philpotsmanorschool.co.uk

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