Benjamin College

Benjamin College Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 825-6042 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135805 Inspection number Inspection dates 14 September 2011 Reporting inspector Sheila Boyle 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.

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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 college has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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Information about the school

Benjamin College opened in 2008. It provides secondary education for some students in registered children’s homes owned by Benjamin UK Limited. The college was registered in February 2009. The first education inspection of the college was in December 2010. The college is registered for eight students aged between 12 and 18 years. Currently, there is one student on roll. No students currently have a statement of special educational needs. Students are funded by their placing local authorities which include London boroughs and counties in the Midlands and south of England. Almost all students have a history of academic underachievement as well as social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Students’ placement is often for less than half a term because they move into mainstream or other education provision, where possible, or they are no longer resident in either of the company’s homes. On occasions, the education staff provide learning support and resources for students

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Information about the school

who live in the company’s children’s homes but are not enrolled in a school. The college aims to ‘provide a consistent and caring environment in which students can develop their full academic, personal and social potential’.

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Context of the inspection

This is the first monitoring inspection to take place since the college’s first education inspection in December 2010. At the time of last inspection, the college failed to meet a number of regulations relating to welfare, health and safety; the provision of information to parents, carers and others; and the complaints procedures.

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Context of the inspection

An action plan submitted in March 2011 was found to be inadequate. This inspection was undertaken to evaluate the progress made by the college in addressing the failed regulations identified at the time of the last education inspection. No lessons were seen during this visit as the students had not started attending the college. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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action plan

The college has made inadequate progress overall in implementing its action plan. This is because it has still failed to meet two of the regulatory requirements for independent schools. The areas of non-compliance are noted below.

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action plan

In December 2010, the college met all but one of the regulations relating to welfare, health and safety. Admission and attendance registers were not kept in accordance with requirements. This inspection found that satisfactory progress has been made in remedying these weaknesses. An admissions register and a daily register of attendance for all students irrespective or their length of stay are kept in line with requirements. Regulation 17 is met.

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action plan

The last inspection identified a number of security, lighting and ventilation weaknesses relating to the premises and accommodation. This inspection confirms that the college has suitably addressed some, but not all, of the regulatory failures. Security arrangements for the premises and grounds remain inadequate. The college should seek to swiftly address these security arrangements. Ventilation in the classroom is unsatisfactory. The college has installed suitable lighting in the classroom and a new front door with glass panels at the top. These measures have increased the amount of light in the classroom to a satisfactory standard. The classroom is adequately heated by mobile electric heaters. Immediately following this inspection the college has plans to install central heating to improve provision.

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action plan

At the time of the last inspection, not all of the required information was provided, or made available, to parents, carers and others. The college has made satisfactory progress in bringing about improvement. All of the necessary information is now provided to parents, carers and others in line with the regulations.

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action plan

In December 2010, inspectors judged that the college did not make parents and carers aware of its complaints procedure and how to obtain a copy. The college now provides information in its prospectus, informing parents and carers about the availability about its complaints procedure and how to obtain a copy. Regulation 25(b) is met. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

As a result of this inspection, the school must take action to meet The Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010 1 (‘the Regulations’), as follows:

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

 ensure that there are adequate security arrangements in place for the grounds and buildings (paragraph 23(d))  ensure that the ventilation in the classroom is satisfactory and in accordance with Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 (paragraph 23(o)).

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

1 www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/1997/contents/made Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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School details

Type of school Residential Special School

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School details

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

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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: 0 Girls: 0 Total: 0

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School details

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

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School details

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

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School details

Annual fees £19,500 (for education provision only)

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School details

Email address office@benjamincollege.co.uk

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