Felixstowe International College

Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 935/6076 Unique Reference Number (URN) 124899 URN for social care SC024579 Inspection number 404652 Inspection dates 26 June 2012 Reporting inspector Sa'ad Khaldi Social care inspector Dorrit Andrews 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. 1,2,3

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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

Felixstowe International College (FIC) is located near the centre of Felixstowe. It was established in 1995 and caters for up to 32 male and female students, aged nine to 17 years. They are placed there by families from other countries. The majority of students come from South Korea and attend the college for up to 12 months, or sometimes beyond this time. A small number of students are of Syrian origin. All students are boarders and are learning English as an additional language. They attend to learn English, and in some cases this can prepare them to continue into British schools, following their time at the college. Most of the eight students currently on roll, aged between 10 and 16 years, started the college in October 2011 and arrived speaking little or no English. None of the students are disabled or have special educational needs.

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Information about the school

The college’s values are based on the Christian faith, although students from other nationalities and religions are welcomed. The college states that its aims are: ‘to enable students to become fluent in English; to become familiar with English independent education; and to give students the experience of living in a boarding community, which has a family atmosphere’.

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Context of the inspection

The college’s last school inspection took place in December 2011. The quality of education and pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development were judged to be outstanding. However, the welfare, health and safety of students were judged to be inadequate, because there were several failed regulations. The college was asked to respond with an education action plan. The inspection of boarding took place at the end of January 2012.

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Context of the inspection

The education action plan was evaluated, but not accepted in March 2012. This was because some key safeguarding actions could not yet show evidence of full completion or of sufficient working processes in action. The college action plan for

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Context of the inspection

1 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/32/contents. 2 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/18/contents. 3 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/14/contents. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report boarding was evaluated in April 2012 and the actions proposed were judged to be broadly satisfactory. It recommended that the implementation of these should be checked.

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Context of the inspection

This integrated inspection of boarding and education evaluated the success of the subsequent actions that the college has undertaken and the progress made in implementing the action plans.

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action plan

The college has made satisfactory progress in implementing its action plans for education and boarding. Most of the regulations, and all but one of the national minimum standards for boarding schools, are met.

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Education

The college has taken suitable action to address two safeguarding issues identified during the inspection in December 2011. First, the college had a policy of admitting foreign students who were older than 18 years, so that they could undertake pre- university courses. Although not on the college roll, these students undertook shared lessons and utilised the college’s boarding accommodation. At the time of the last inspection, three such Korean students had been placed at the college and its leaders could not demonstrate that they had undertaken the required Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks for these students. It has now discontinued such admissions and updated the college’s policy. Other inadequacies in the college’s safeguarding procedures have been addressed. Those now managing and overseeing child protection have received higher level training and all staff are being provided with externally-led awareness training in safeguarding or online training.

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Education

The inspection in December 2011 found that the college did not make appropriate arrangements for storing chemicals. It has taken specific actions to remedy this by storing small quantities of science chemicals in two separate and secure locations. The college has also introduced risk assessments in science lesson plans, so that students wash their hands after handling such materials. It now complies with health and safety regulations through providing paper towels at all washing locations.

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Education

The inspection in December 2011 found that fire drill and equipment checks to be inconsistent. Fire regulations are now fully met, with emergency fire and electrical lighting systems installed. An up-to-date audit has been undertaken by the local fire safety officer and a programme of annual inspections established. Regular fire evacuation drills during the day and evening are fully recorded. Recorded weekly checks of the system and monthly checks of all lighting to exits ensure maintained vigilance. Security has been improved and a monitoring system that shows and records events through closed circuit cameras has been installed. The format of the students’ admission register is now compliant. An equality accessibility plan, not available at the time of the last inspection, has been drawn up and the college is Independent school progress monitoring inspection report working to improve access and provide support for students diagnosed with

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Education

The inspection in December 2011 found that planned repairs to the school accommodation lack a capital programme. The action plan created since the last inspection specified a nine month period commencing March 2012 when improvements might be undertaken. It does not offer any specific details or costs, and so is unsatisfactory. The college has yet to demonstrate that it can instigate an effective programme for maintenance, updating its premises and decoration. This means that the premises regulation is unmet, along with a linked boarding standard for the girls’ area regarding washroom facilities.

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Education

The inspection in December 2011 found that the information available to parents, carers and others was incomplete. The college has revised this so that the required information about the proprietor, college governance, admission arrangements, staff qualifications, the number of complaints registered, and the annual outcome of public examinations is now provided.

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Boarding

Boarding national minimum standards are almost fully met, with one exception. In April 2012, the action plan proposals outlined were broadly satisfactory. Improvements to the college’s boarding policy, safeguarding, staff recruitment procedures, and its supplementary process of booking and involving the local authority designated officer for child protection for staff training have meant that a range of standards are now met.

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Boarding

In the inspection undertaken in January, a member of staff acted as a temporary guardian and host for a student for several days without sufficient background checks to meet national minimum standards requirements. The college has responded by discontinuing its policy of offering guardianship care. A written boarding policy statement confirms this change.

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Boarding

Staff appointment procedures have been updated to meet current employment legislation.

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Boarding

The accommodation block was built in 1983 and the college is required to maintain its premises. It has planned a programme of minor works by staff over the summer student vacation period. However, the result of weathering means that wooden window frames are approaching the end of their design life and require full and professional replacement. Internal decoration remains satisfactory and high standards of cleanliness are maintained in students’ rooms and classrooms generally. Some inconsistencies exist regarding the provision of wash basins in the girls’ area and uneven carpet wear on one staircase. 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 4 (‘the Regulations’), as follows:

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

 ensure that there are sufficient washrooms for staff and pupils, including facilities for pupils with special needs and disability, which take account of regulations 3 and 4 of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 (paragraph 23(j))  ensure that external building maintenance and decoration meet the requirements of the Education (Schools Premises) Regulations 1999 (paragraph 23(p))  have regard to relevant standards of the national minimum standards for boarding schools (paragraph 23(t)).

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

In order to meet the national minimum standards for boarding schools and associated regulations, the school should:

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

 ensure that the washing facilities in the girls’ boarding section meet the national minimum standards (NMS 5.1).

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

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

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School details

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 6 Girls: 2 Total: 8

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School details

Number of boarders Boys: 6 Girls: 2 Total: 8

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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: 0 Total: 0

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School details

Address of school Maybush Lane, Felixstowe IP11 7NA

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