Browns School

Cannock House, Hawstead Lane, Chelsfield, Orpington, Kent BR6 7PH

p.1

Reason for inspection

This unannounced emergency inspection visit was made at the request of the Department of Education to advise whether the school was correctly implementing its complaints procedures.

p.1

Conclusions

The shortcomings identified at the time of the last full inspection in June 2012, relating to careers guidance and the inclusion of sanctions in the behaviour policy, have been fully addressed. The school has also taken appropriate steps to comply with the recent changes in the independent school regulations.

p.1

Conclusions

The school’s complaints procedures reflect current requirements and are correctly implemented. Comprehensive records are kept of informal complaints, including the dates when these were dealt with and resolved. The school’s formal complaints procedure has not been invoked in the past year.

p.1

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets schedule 1 of The Education (Independent Schools Standards) (England) Regulations 2010, as amended by The Education (Independent Schools Standards) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements. Emergency inspection: Brown’s School, 21 May 2013 2 of 4

p.1

Inspection team

Michael Best, Lead inspector Additional Inspector

p.2

Information about this school

 Brown’s School is a day special school that admits a maximum of 50 boys and girls aged between six and 16 years. It is situated in Chelsfield in the Kent countryside. Initially established in 1997 to provide for pupils with dyslexia, in recent years the school has admitted pupils with a wider range of needs including speech and language difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Asperger’s syndrome.  There are currently 38 pupils on roll, 33 boys and five girls. There are 36 pupils who have a statement of special educational needs and 35 are fully funded by their local authorities. One pupil is part-funded by their home local authority and parents and carers.  In February 2012, there was a change of proprietorship to the current headteacher. The school last underwent a full inspection by Ofsted in June 2012, when it was judged to provide a good standard of education and welfare for its pupils and all but

p.2

Information about this school

three of the regulations for independent schools were met.  In March 2013, following a visit by an Ofsted inspector, the Department for Education granted permission for the school to increase its maximum number from 40 to 50 pupils following extensions and improvements to the accommodation and grounds.  The school aims to ‘provide a programme of lessons to alleviate literacy and numeracy difficulties; to promote enquiring minds and an eagerness to be involved in the world around them and to give the opportunity to develop successful learning strategies and acquire essential skills to last for a lifetime’. Emergency inspection: Brown’s School, 21 May 2013 3 of 4

p.2

School details

Unique reference number 131395 Inspection number 423234 DfE registration number 305/6078 This inspection was conducted at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. It was carried out under section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005. Type of school Special School status Independent School Age range of pupils 6–16 years Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 38 Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor Elaine Lovett Chair N/A Headteacher Elaine Lovett Date of previous school inspection 28 June 2012 Annual fees (day pupils) From £15,900 Telephone number 01689 876816 Fax number 01689 827118 Email address info@brownsschool.co.uk Emergency inspection: Brown’s School, 21 May 2013 4 of 4

p.3

School details

guidance 'Complaining about inspections', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.4

School details

You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when.

p.4

School details

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.4

School details

inspects to 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. Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille,

p.4

School details

please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you 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’.

p.4

School details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.4