Cressex Lodge School

Cressex Lodge (SWAAY) Cressex Lodge, Terrace Road, Binfield, RG42 4DE

p.1

Context of the inspection

This is the second monitoring inspection since the school’s the last full inspection in September 2012. The first monitoring inspection took place on 15 February 2013.

p.1

Regulations not met

The monitoring inspection of February 2013 found that not all schemes of work were adequately detailed especially in English, history, geography, information and communication technology (ICT) and French.

p.1

Regulations not met

Further improvements have been made to the curriculum provision. Most subjects now have schemes of work that link to other medium- and short-term plans. This includes a programme for personal and social education and citizenship. The curriculum has improved the school’s provision to develop students’ spiritual, moral social and cultural development. The implementation of these programmes is still new and the long-term impact on students’ development has yet to be seen. However, as part of their studies students were involved in organising a coffee morning to support a national cancer charity. This helped students' understanding of how they can contribute to their local community. The history and geography schemes of work are still in their early stages of development. They do not yet have enough detail and are not supported adequately by other plans.

p.1

Regulations not met

Since the monitoring inspection in February 2013, the headteacher and proprietors have taken robust action to improve teaching. There have been a number of changes to the teaching staff. Some teachers are very new to the school. The quality of teaching still has some weaknesses. Teachers have good relationships with students.

p.1

Regulations not met

The quality of lesson planning is too variable. It is not always ‘crystal clear’ how in some lessons, especially with only one student, the work planned is specifically meeting individual needs. There is not enough reference to students’ statement of special educational needs where one exists. Sometimes work planned is not challenging enough. One student told the inspector that work planned was sometimes patronising because it was too easy for his level of understanding. There are missed opportunities to allow students to answer questions in more depth and establish their own views. Sometimes teaching is not precise enough to give clear direction to the lesson. The quality of assessment continues to improve but its use in planning lessons is not yet firmly established. The school has not taken any steps to have its assessments moderated to check that they are accurate. Some students have completed very little work in their books

p.1

Regulations not met

since the beginning of the academic year.

p.1

Regulations not met

Concerns about the use of ICT in lessons and to support teaching have been addressed. Students have regular ICT lessons and use different programmes to support other Monitoring report: Cressex Lodge School (SWAAY), 12 November 2013 2 of 6

p.1

Regulations not met

subjects, for example, researching ‘animals in danger’ for a citizenship project. Teachers use the interactive boards to add variety to their teaching. They are used effectively, for example, in quickly providing a large number of images of famous artists’ work from which students can develop their own ideas.

p.2

Regulations not met

Senior leaders have not yet developed a robust method to make effective use of the outcomes of teaching observations, the quality of students’ work and the assessment of their progress in order to develop sharp targets to improve teaching and learning.

p.2

Regulations not met

In the previous monitoring inspection concerns were raised about the management of behaviour and the school’s approaches to dealing with bullying. The school’s methods to deal with challenging behaviour and bullying have been revised. A discussion with a small group of students showed that they felt that behaviour had improved. They told the inspector that there were occasional outbursts of poor behaviour. They had a very clear understanding about how they and their fellow students had unpredictable behaviour, partly as a result of their previous experiences. They felt safe and said that any matters of concern to them were dealt with quickly. They said that staff were nearly always present when there were any incidents. During this inspection the school was calm and students moved around the building sensibly. Most students concentrated well in their lessons. Students felt that staff dealt quickly if any bullying occurred. They could not remember any

p.2

Regulations not met

The headteacher has carried out a thorough analysis of the incidents of poor behaviour. Data show that behaviour has improved. There is a clear daily reward system where students can collect merits based on their behaviour and application in lessons. Students were observed ensuring that they had their ‘cards’ marked after each lesson.

p.2

Regulations not met

The school is not diligent in ensuring that health and safety risks are minimised in design and technology lessons. The area used is not suitable because it is also used as an eating and refreshment room. There is inadequate ventilation and eye protection is not always used when it should be.

p.2

Regulations’), and associated requirements

Ensure that history and geography have appropriate schemes of work and that they are implemented effectively. Paragraph 2(1) Ensure that where pupils have a statement of special educational needs the education provided fulfils its requirements. Ensure planning makes clear how work set and activities are addressing any particular requirements. Paragraph 2(2)e

p.2

Regulations’), and associated requirements

Ensure that all lessons are well planned and use effective teaching, methods, suitable activities and that there is appropriate management of class time. Paragraph 3(c)

p.2

Regulations’), and associated requirements

Ensure that teachers have a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons. Paragraph 3(d)

p.2

Regulations’), and associated requirements

Ensure that outcomes from assessment are used to plan lessons so that pupils can make good progress. Paragraph 3(g) Monitoring report: Cressex Lodge School (SWAAY), 12 November 2013 3 of 6

p.2

Regulations’), and associated requirements

Ensure that the school implements appropriate health and safety precautions in design and technology lessons. Paragraph Monitoring report: Cressex Lodge (SWAAY), 12 November 2013 4 of 6

p.3

Inspection team

Daniel Towl HMI, Lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector John Daniell Her Majesty’s Inspector Shadow

p.4

Information about this school

 Cressex Lodge School (SWAAY) is an independent day school located in a village near Bracknell. It is part of a residential provision which provides education and therapeutic treatment and it operates collaboratively as part of a therapeutic community provided by SWAAY Child and Adolescent Services Ltd.  The school opened in 1994 and it is registered for up to 18 boys, aged between 11 and 16 years, who have specific social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. There are currently 13 boys on roll aged between 13 and 16 years, some of whom have moderate, specific and complex learning difficulties.  There are seven students with a statement of special educational needs. All students are under the care of their respective local authority. Students join the school with a history of interrupted schooling and generally remain at the school for a minimum of two years.  The school has been under new ownership since September 2012. Since the school’s

p.4

Information about this school

last inspection in September 2012 and since the last monitoring inspection in February, there has been a high turnover of teaching staff.  The school aims to ‘…work together to support the whole development of each young person towards responsible adulthood. Through practice based on the SWAAY philosophy we offer the highest levels of care; an individualised curriculum for each young person to reach his full educational potential and a personalised programme for each to improve his social and emotional skills.' Monitoring report: Cressex Lodge (SWAAY), 12 November 2013 5 of 6

p.4

School details

Unique reference number 110178 Inspection number 429306 DfE registration number 867/6580 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.

p.5

School details

Type of school Day School for students with specific social, emotional and behavioural difficulties School status Independent School Age range of pupils 11–16 years Gender of pupils Boys Number of pupils on the school roll 12 Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor SWAAY Child and Adolescent Services Ltd Chair Les Glazier Headteacher Sarah Snape Date of previous school inspection 26–27 September 2012 Annual fees (day pupils) £850 per week Telephone number 01344 862221 Fax number 01189 665454 Email address cx@swaay.co.uk Monitoring report: Cressex Lodge (SWAAY), 12 November 2013 6 of 6

p.5

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

School details

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

p.6