Westfield House School

Westfield House School Westfield House, 191 Sutton Road, Terrington St Clement, PE34 4EX

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Context of the inspection

This inspection was undertaken 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. When the school was inspected in April 2013 the overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate along with students’ achievement, the quality of teaching, the curriculum and leadership and management. A large proportion of the regulations were found not to be met. The school submitted an action plan outlining its proposals to address these shortcomings, which was evaluated and accepted in July 2013. The school submitted a material change request for a change of premises. This is the first monitoring visit to check the progress made by the school in implementing its action plans. This visit also considered the material change request.

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Good progress

The inspection of April 2013 found eight regulations related to the curriculum were not met. The curriculum was inadequate and did not provide students with all the required subjects and areas of learning or a full-time, properly planned education. It was poorly documented and work was not always matched to students’ abilities or the requirements of their statements of special educational needs. Careers guidance was lacking. Consequently, students made inadequate academic progress and they were ill-equipped for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. All regulations are now met. Comprehensive schemes of work have been drawn up. Although there is a clear focus on developing students’ basic English and mathematics, the curriculum is broad, balanced and includes all required areas of study. Timetables are highly individualised to each student’s needs. For example some students undertake therapy sessions planned to tackle

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Good progress

their individual difficulties, including anger management sessions. Individual education plans (IEPs) are in place for all students with statements. These are reviewed regularly and link closely to classroom work. Schemes of work for personal, social and health education are appropriate and contribute well to students’ personal development. Careers guidance has been introduced with the support of local authority careers advisers. However, work experience has not been a feature of this work.

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Good progress

The last inspection found that that seven regulations related to teaching and assessment were not met. There was only a part-time teacher, the planning documentation available was scant and the teacher’s subject knowledge was insufficient. There were no recent lesson plans or any indication that work was based on a thorough knowledge of the students’ strengths and weaknesses or whether they were appropriately challenged. No records of the assessment of students’ skills, knowledge and understanding were available and resources for teaching and learning were inadequate. The classrooms were sparse and did not encourage or support learning. This inspection confirmed that teaching has Monitoring report: [Add school name], [Add inspection date(s)] 2 of 6

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Good progress

improved and all regulations are now met. An experienced teacher has been recruited. Lessons are taught by the teacher and an assistant teacher, who have good and sufficient subject knowledge for the task. Work in books demonstrates that students are challenged to apply intellectual, physical and creative effort and topics generally interest students. Assessment is regular and good use is made of information about each student to plan individual lessons and sequences of lessons. Marking is used well to guide students’ next steps. This is best in English and less well developed, but still adequate, in mathematics. The lessons observed and the work in students’ books demonstrates the good subject knowledge of the teachers. Resources have improved and are adequate overall, although the science resources are a relative weakness.

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Good progress

The inspection found that students were not given sufficient support to gain respect for other cultures and beliefs. Curriculum plans now include work to teach students tolerance and respect for their own and other cultures. For example, students have been taught about world religions, including Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. The school did not take sufficient care to ensure that partisan political views were not promoted in the teaching of any subject. This weakness has been remedied by clear written guidance to staff.

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Good progress

The inspection in April 2013 found that two regulations were not met in relation to students’ welfare, health and safety. The first aid policy did not contain all the guidance it should. The admission register did not contain all the information required for each student. These two regulations are now met. The first aid policy is included within the health and safety policy and contains all of the required information. A new school admission register has been introduced, containing all of the required information.

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Good progress

The previous report judged that three regulations relating to the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors were not met. Although all the required checks were made they were not all recorded in a single central register as required. These regulations are now met. The single central register records all of the appropriate checks on staff.

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Good progress

In respect of the provision of information for parents, carers and others, four regulations were judged not to be met. The school had no prospectus or website and did not provide the required information to parents, carers or others, such as the name and address of the proprietor, information about the arrangements for students with special educational needs or the information about the arrangements for safeguarding students. End-of-year reports did not indicate students’ attainment and progress. The school now meets these regulations. A prospectus has been issued to all parents, carers and placing authorities. This contains all of the required information. Parents have all received a copy of the updated safeguarding policy. End-of-year reports for students provide detailed comments about their attainment and progress.

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Good progress

The inspection in April 2013 judged that the complaints procedure did not comply fully with three regulations. It had not been made available to parents, carers and others and did not make provision for a panel hearing to make recommendations and for records to be kept. The complaints policy has been re-written. It now meets all regulations and has been issued to parents, carers and others.

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Good progress

The relocation of the school to a different building means that the accommodation is better suited to meet the needs of students. The building offers great potential and has ample teaching space arranged over three floors. The premises and grounds are suitable for students with behavioural difficulties to learn safely. The accommodation includes Monitoring report: [Add school name], [Add inspection date(s)] 3 of 6

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Good progress

appropriate fixtures, fittings and furniture to meet students’ needs. The number and size of classrooms are suitable for the number and ages of students. The lighting, heating and ventilation in the classrooms and other parts of the school are of a satisfactory standard. The grounds provide safe space for recreation and sporting activities. There is a suitable room for the care of sick students. There is an ample number of toilets and suitable changing facilities.

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The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements

Monitoring report: Newton House School, 19 November 2013 4 of 6

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Inspection team

Amraz Ali , Lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Information about this school

 Previously known as Newton House, Westfield House School is a small independent special day school for boys aged 10 to 18 years with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.  The school was registered in March 2012. A new proprietor took over responsibility for the school at the end of February 2013.  The school relocated to its current site in September 2013. There has been an entire change of staff since the previous inspection.  The school caters for students who are disaffected with a history of disrupted schooling including those with behaviour, emotional and social difficulties.  All current students have a statement of special educational needs and all are looked after and reside in a home owned by the proprietor.  The school aims to enable students to ‘achieve their full potential and equip themselves as well as possible for adult life’. Monitoring report: Newton House School, 19 November 2013 5 of 6

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School details

Unique reference number 138138 Inspection number 433310 DfE registration number 926/6002 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 Day school for students with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties School status Independent school Age range of pupils 10–18 Gender of pupils Boys Number of pupils on the school roll 2 Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor Unique Care Homes Ltd Chair Andrew Sweeney Headteacher Mrs Laura Jestico Date of previous school inspection 25 April 2013 Annual fees (day pupils) £19,000 –£26,000 Telephone number 01553 827848 Email address nhschool_headteacher@uniquecarehomes.co.uk Monitoring report: Newton House School, 19 November 2013 6 of 6

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School details

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School details

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School details

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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,

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School details

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School details

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

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