Lamledge School

Young Options College Lamledge Lane, Shifnal, TF11 8SD

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Reason for inspection

This inspection was carried out at no notice by two of Her Majesty’s Inspectors following concerns raised about safeguarding of pupils and their welfare, health and safety.

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Conclusions

Inspectors reviewed the school’s procedures to safeguard pupils and spoke to the designated officer for child protection. Plans are in place and an up-to-date policy outlines the school’s procedures to keep pupils safe. From speaking to pupils in school, most stated that they felt safe and that teachers took care of them. Members of staff check pupils are safe, for example, by observing pupils on corridors, in the school canteen and outside in the school grounds. Pupils value the presence and visibility of staff. However, some of the younger pupils say that areas within school can sometimes be ‘scary’ when the older pupils misbehave.

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Conclusions

The headteacher has very recently been appointed to the role. She is the nominated child protection officer. All training for child protection is either up to date or is planned for updating in the very near future.

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Conclusions

Good behaviour is promoted effectively and merits reward pupils when they behave well, earning trips off the site. An anti-bullying strategy is in place and records are maintained when poor behaviour occurs. These records include details of the incident and in some cases, but not all, reference to what sanction was given. Leaders in school acknowledge more work needs to be done to ensure that sanctions and the consequences of poor behaviour are recorded and are clear to all pupils.

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Conclusions

Staff are highly visible around the school site. This helps to ensure that behaviour is generally controlled well. Staff are vigilant towards pupils and provide support when pupils show challenging behaviour. Many examples were seen of pupils demonstrating good relationships with adults and a mutual respect was evident. However, on occasions, pupils’ failure to adhere to school rules can place them in dangerous situations.

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Conclusions

Health and safety procedures are clear and staff apply the policy consistently. Risk assessments are robust and regular checks are made to equipment to ensure it is compliant with regulations. Checks on electrical appliances and procedures to prevent fire are fully implemented, including checks on fire safety equipment and regular fire drills. First aid procedures are in place and staff have been trained to an appropriate level.

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Conclusions

The school holds an admission register where it records details of the pupils who attend the school. An attendance register monitors pupils’ absence. Not all aspects of the admission register are compliant with the relevant standard because, although the school can find all the information required, it is not always easily accessible and is not all Emergency inspection: Young Options College, 11 February 2014 2 of 5

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Conclusions

contained within the admission register.

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Conclusions

Appropriate checks are made to ensure the suitability of staff. All staff have completed an enhanced criminal record check, and procedures to recruit staff are robust. The headteacher has completed safer recruitment training and documents are recorded on application procedures. The school maintains a single central record of all staff, which complies with regulations.

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Regulations’), and associated requirements

Ensure there is an admission and attendance register which is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. 1 Paragraph 17

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Regulations’), and associated requirements

1 www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/1751/contents/made Emergency inspection: Young Options College, 11 February 2014 3 of 5

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Inspection team

Jane Millward, Lead Inspector Deborah James Her Majesty’s Inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Information about this school

 Young Options College is a small independent purpose-built day school for students aged nine to eighteen years.  The school is located on a large campus in a semi-rural environment just outside Shifnal in Shropshire. The school moved to its current site in 2006.  It is registered to provide comprehensive care, education and therapy services for up to 50 students who may be looked after and who have complex and severe behavioural, psychological and psychiatric difficulties.  Students are admitted from a large number of local authorities across the United Kingdom.  Currently there are 44 secondary-aged students on roll, most of whom have a statement of special educational needs. Three quarters live in residential provision within the wider Young Options organisation.  The school aims to, ‘equip students with the necessary skills and support to develop holistically, through the provision of a broad and balanced curriculum and community

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Information about this school

based provision’.  The school was previously inspected in December 2011, when it was found to provide an outstanding quality of education. Emergency inspection: Young Options College, 11 February 2014 4 of 5

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School details

Unique reference number 133478 Inspection number 441649 DfE registration number 893/6025 Type of school Primary and secondary School status Independent School Age range of pupils 7–19 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 45 Proprietor Young Options Group Chair Graham Baker Headteacher Julia Saint Date of previous school inspection 7 December 2011 Annual fees (day pupils) £83,428 Telephone number 01952 468220 Fax number 01952 468221 Email address julia.saint@youngoptions.co.uk Emergency inspection: Young Options College, 11 February 2014 5 of 5

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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 .

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School details

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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

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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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