Mortimer House School

Valley House Nuneaton Road, Fillongley, Warwickshire, CV7 8DL

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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. This is the second progress monitoring inspection since the school’s last full inspection on 8 November 2012. The full inspection judged that the school provided a satisfactory quality of education. However, a number of regulations were not met. These were in relation to the quality of education, students’ welfare, health and safety, the school’s premises and accommodation, and the provision of information and the manner in which complaints were handled. The first progress monitoring inspection found that the school had addressed many of the issues and met many of the previously unmet regulations. However, the school needed to take action to ensure the health and safety of students by providing adequate security arrangements for the grounds and buildings. As

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Context of the inspection

the students were not in school during the first progress monitoring inspection it was not possible to make a judgement about whether the school was ensuring that the teaching involved well-planned lessons, effective teaching methods, suitable activities and appropriate management of class time.

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Context of the inspection

The action plan submitted by the school to remedy the school’s failure to meet regulations was evaluated in March 2013 and significant improvement was needed.

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Context of the inspection

This present inspection was carried out unannounced. The headteacher was not present on the day of the inspection. However, a telephone conversation with the headteacher, meetings with school staff and students, scrutiny of relevant documents and students’ work and lesson observations ensured that judgements could be made.

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Good progress

The inspection of November 2012 found that teaching did not always involve well-planned lessons, effective teaching methods, suitable activities and appropriate management of class time. The school’s action plan indicated that teachers would adopt a common lesson plan structure and that students’ learning would be evaluated at the conclusion of the lesson. Learning activities were to be tailored to meet the needs of individual students. The headteacher would observe and evaluate the teachers’ planning, lesson delivery and students’ learning. As a result of the implementation of these planned actions, lessons are well planned and meet the needs of individual students. A wide variety of learning activities enables students to develop a range of literacy, numeracy, thinking and social skills. Time in lessons is used effectively and efficiently to ensure that students consolidate and develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects. The headteacher

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Good progress

monitors the quality of teachers’ planning, lesson delivery and students’ learning. Monitoring report: [Add school name], [Add inspection date(s)] 2 of 5

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Good progress

Suggestions for improvements and the sharing of best practice have resulted in securing good progress in students’ work. As a result of the school’s actions, the regulation is now met.

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Good progress

At the time of the full inspection some inadequate security arrangements were identified and reported to senior managers. Security was inadequate due to the lack of a security gate at the entrance to the premises. The school’s response in the action plan was inadequate and the issue had not been resolved at the time of the first progress monitoring inspection. A security gate has now been fitted; work being completed in December 2013. All other fencing is in good repair and ensures students are safe so that the regulation is met.

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

Monitoring report: Valley House, 26 February 2014 3 of 5

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Inspection team

Peter Humphries , Lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Information about this school

 Valley House is a small school catering for residential students. It is located in accommodation in rural Warwickshire owned by Young Foundations Limited. It was registered in May 2007 as a school providing for up to six students aged from 12 to 17 years with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, those with autistic spectrum disorder and those looked after by the local authority.  There are currently two students on roll. Both students have a statement of special educational needs and are from minority ethnic groups; both are children looked after by the local authority. The students’ previous education has been significantly disrupted.  The school aims to re-engage students in education, enable them to develop cooperative interpersonal skills and to acquire study and life skills necessary to realise their learning potential and to prepare them for the next stage in their education or for employment.

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Information about this school

 The school’s progress in meeting the regulations was last inspected in June 2013 and its last full inspection was in November 2012. Monitoring report: Valley House, 26 February 2014 4 of 5

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School details

Unique reference number 135259 Inspection number 441500 DfE registration number 937/6205 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 special school for students with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties. A small number of students have mental health problems. School status Independent special school Age range of pupils 12–17 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 2 Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor Young Foundations Ltd Chair Barbara Thompson Headteacher Mrs Cheryl Lester Date of previous school inspection 26 June 2013 Annual fees (day pupils) £46,000 Telephone number 01676 542875 Fax number 01676 542875 Email address cheryllester@youngfoundations.com Monitoring report: Valley House, 26 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

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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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