The Ashley School

The Ashley School Academy Trust, Ashley Downs, LOWESTOFT, Suffolk, NR32 4EU

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding 1

Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding 1 Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding 1 Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding 1 Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding 1

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The residential provision is outstanding because

● The overall effectiveness of the residential provision is outstanding impacting, significantly on pupils' personal, social and emotional development. Pupils benefit in terms of access to academic support and a wide range of opportunities. ● There are established and robust safeguarding procedures which are comprehensively implemented by staff and central to the school. ● The school advocates for individual’s rights and consistently seeks the views of pupils.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

● The residential houses are managed extremely well by an efficient and skilled staff team.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

● Significant progress has been achieved since the last inspection with an ambitious drive for continued improvement.

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Compliance with the national minimum standards for residential special schools

The school meets the national minimum standards for residential special schools Inspection Report The Ashley School Academy Trust, 06/02/2014 Page 2 of 10

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Information about this inspection

The inspection of the residential provision, took place within four hours of notice given to the school. The inspection activities included meetings with; the residential care staff, the pupils the Safeguarding Governors, the Head Teacher, Senior staff and the catering manager. Observations of the premises, meal times, activities and residential evening routines formed part of the inspection. Information was gathered from documents, policies, records, monitoring reports and discussions with parents.

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Inspection team

Deirdra Keating Lead social care inspector Inspection Report The Ashley School Academy Trust, 06/02/2014 Page 3 of 10

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Information about this school

The Ashley School Academy Trust is a maintained residential special school for 135 pupils of either gender aged between seven and 16 years. The residential accommodation is provided in two houses located on the school site. The school is situated in a residential area of Lowestoft and caters for pupils with moderate learning difficulties who have associated behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. The residential provision was last inspected in June 2012.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

● Continue the refurbishment programme to include the first floors of the residential provision. Inspection Report The Ashley School Academy Trust, 06/02/2014 Page 4 of 10

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

The outcomes for residential pupils are outstanding. Pupils thrive in the 'in house' residential provision and benefit significantly from inclusive, individualised care. Extremely good relationships between pupils and staff are pivotal to pupil’s social and emotional development and levels of attainment. One pupil asked what he liked about being in-house replied; 'the adults'. Pupils make exceptional progress in their social communication skills, through the established relationships with staff and peers. They demonstrate an excellent understanding of one another's differences through group discussions, team games, and small group activities. Comments from pupils include 'the best thing is seeing our friends' another pupil said 'I like everything about being in house'. A parent spoken to said 'she loves the school; she is so happy and has made friends'.

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

Residential pupils develop increased self-confidence and positive self-esteem. Staff consistently recognise effort and encourage pupils to develop new skills and try new experiences. The views of residential pupils are highly valued. Daily house meetings encourage pupils to talk about their day and contribute their views. Staff plan evenings with pupils who choose activities. These include; trips out, sporting activities, art, craft and cooking. This helps pupils develop a wide range of skills such as creativity, turn-taking, social skills, and fitness.

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

Pupils are actively involved in decisions that affect them. For example, they participate in staff interviews to choose a new head of care. Pupils put on house assemblies for the whole school and competently assist with daily house chores. This gives them a sense of responsibility and belonging. Pupils work proudly work through 'My life and independence work in residence' folders with staff. These record the acquisition of domestic and self-care skills such as laundry, telling the time and healthy eating. The consistent teaching of pupils' life skills builds pupil's self-care and independence.

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

Residential pupils thoroughly enjoy staying 'in-house' and feedback regarding their enjoyment of the residential experience is unreservedly positive. A pupil said its 'one of the best places to sleep I wish I could stay more' another said ''you get to do loads of fun things'. For pupils who may have limited opportunities this provides new experiences giving them equality of opportunity. A parent spoken to surmised 'she has lovely time every time she's there and I can see its benefits in the amazing trips and activities provided'.

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

Induction to the residential provision is well structured. This gives pupils a chance to stay for a tea visit and ensures that they know what to expect. Pupils also benefit from good transitional support as they reach the end of residential provision. The number of nights in house tapers and concludes before term ends. Staff support pupils as they reach the end of residential stays by providing photographic memory books and a leaving party. Pupils talk through arrangements and make choices about their party's. This gives them a period of emotional adjustment. A parent spoken to during the inspection said ' she will be very emotional to leave the house she has loved her time there'.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

The quality of the residential provision is outstanding. The continuous exchange of information between the school and residential staff works extremely well. Daily meetings provide key points from the school day that informs residential care staff. This supports pupils’ emotional development, building secure foundations on which they can attain and achieve.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

Care plans detail all individual requirements of each pupil and are discussed with parents and pupils during induction home visits. Care plans evolve holistically, all details are clear and health Inspection Report The Ashley School Academy Trust, 06/02/2014 Page 5 of 10 needs are clearly identified. Residential pupils health needs are managed carefully and efficiently. The storage and administration of medication works well. The school has contracted health professionals who work daily in the school. This brings combines specialisms together and ensures that all those involved with the health care of residential pupils understand how to implement their health care plans and monitor their health needs.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

Staff provide activities that are exciting, stimulating and varied. They utilise both school and local amenities well to provide pupils with a wide range of experiences. Pupils enjoy relaxed social evenings around the table using their creativity to make arts and crafts. Others enjoy indoor sports including hockey and football where a strong emphasis on playing as a team and inclusion. This provides highly beneficial interactions and exercise. Staff are energetic and participate with enthusiasm providing healthy role models. Staff focus on inclusive fun while maintaining safe boundaries and consistent responses.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

The catering arrangements at the school are exceptionally good. The presentation of food is superb encouraging pupils to try new foods in small amounts. Food is tasty nutritious and healthy fruit, salad and vegetables are actively encouraged. Residential pupils enjoy food with enthusiasm. The catering team cater for special events with care and attention to detail including homemade birthday cakes.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

The decoration on the ground floor is of a high standard fresh white paint promotes an airy and light atmosphere. Pictures cushions and lamps provide welcoming touches. Pupils’ tastes, targets and accomplishments are displayed using photos, art work and posters. This gives pupils a sense of belonging and celebrates their achievements and efforts this includes a hero of the week. The first floor has undergone extensive refurbishment providing a number of single en suite rooms that are modern and comfortable. However, the new décor highlights the first floor hallways which require re decoration.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

Pupils are easily able to keep in touch with families using the pre-programmed house telephone. Family member’s telephone according to their home lives and staff are accommodating and flexible. Staff are fully aware of family dynamics and support pupils with sensitive insight and understanding. Pupils know their families are accepted and valued helping build a positive sense of identity. One parent said 'nothing is ever too much trouble I have nothing but praise for the house staff'.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

The safety of residential pupils is outstanding. The overall safety and welfare of pupils is central to staff practice and given top priority throughout the school. Staff are unreservedly committed to the safety and protection of residential pupils and provision of a residence in which all pupils feel equally valued and safe.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

Staff are meticulous and detailed in compiling risk assessments. These enable pupils to take part in a wide variety of outdoor and challenging activities such as an adventure holiday to Wales. This enables pupils to conquer new challenges and take assessed and measured risk building confidence and breadth of experience.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

Residential pupil’s behaviour is exemplary; they offer a warm and polite welcome to visitors. Staff consistently reinforce positive behaviour placing an emphasis on safe personal boundaries. Staff always recognise and encourage effort in relation to individual targets and consequently pupils try hard to achieve their targets. Physical restraint is extremely rare; situations are easily contained because staff have a comprehensive understanding of underlying causes and triggers for individual pupils. Inspection Report The Ashley School Academy Trust, 06/02/2014 Page 6 of 10 There is a strong culture of anti-bullying. This underpins all house routines and activities. Staff have high expectations in the reinforcement of respectful relationships. There are occasional disagreements between pupils; vigilant staff monitor these providing resolution strategies where required. Residential staff are adept in their skill and aptitude in helping pupils resolve their

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

differences. This teaches pupils how to exercise self-control and manage their feelings. Subsequently, each house has developed a respectful culture in which pupils say that feel relaxed and safe.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

Police community support officers are regular visitors to the provision; they participate in activities and deliver road safety training. This helps young people understand the dangers of the road and builds positive links with roles in the local community.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

Staff are confident and rehearsed in managing child protection concerns. There are clear procedures which staff follow in the event of a concern about a pupil. Staff vigilance, child protection training and careful awareness keep residential pupils safe. Staff work closely with external professionals and services to ensure residential pupils' safety and welfare.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

Staff monitor each house to ensure it is maintained well and potential hazards are identified. All visitors report to the school reception where the identity and purpose of the visit is checked. Residential houses are locked and secure. The systems work well pupils are supervised carefully during the start and end of the school day. These arrangements work well and there are no incidences of pupils missing from the site. Health and safety checks meet all safety requirements. Fire prevention equipment is checked and evacuation drills take place at regular intervals. This ensures that pupils practise safe evacuation and understand what to do in the event of a fire.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

The leadership and management of the residential provision is outstanding. The aims and criteria for the provision translate seamlessly into practice and are integral to the school. There have been significant changes in management of the school resulting in a newly appointed headteacher and recruitment is underway for a new head of care. There are clear interim arrangements for the management of the residential provision. The head teacher and deputy head monitor the care and provide supervision for staff. This provides effective temporary management. This has enabled senior staff to work closely with care staff providing insight to practice and robust monitoring of the provision. Collection of data and new recording systems measure the impact of residential provision on pupil's progress using data to record pupil’s social, emotional and academic progress. This monitoring clearly demonstrates the value of the

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

The established staff team go from strength to strength. The staff's dedication to the role is unprecedented. Extra duties mean that staff are juggling competing demands there has also been a period of financial uncertainty for the residence. Despite this the care of pupils remains outstanding and the calibre and skill of the staff team is the foundation of the school’s success. Feedback from an experienced governor concludes "I cannot sing their praises enough the houses are exceptional places. They are brilliant really brilliant".

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

There have been no complaints since the last inspection; however, there are many heart felt compliments from pupils, parents and professionals. The partnership with parents and carers is a key strength of the provision. Parents speak highly of the benefits of the residential provision and school. One parent said ‘I am very impressed with the whole school I can’t think of anything they could do overall to improve'. Another said; ‘I can’t praise the school enough it’s brilliant’.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

The residential provision is integral to the school. Dedicated staff have a superb understanding of pupil’s diverse characteristics. This results in extremely high quality care based on the value of Inspection Report The Ashley School Academy Trust, 06/02/2014 Page 7 of 10 individuals and the celebration of differences. Staff value all pupils as unique individuals and ensure that opportunities are offered equally.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

Secure storage of detailed informative records provides a clear understanding of pupils’ lives and ensures pupil’s details are confidential. Overall, the school has maintained an outstanding provision and all national minimum standards are met. Inspection Report The Ashley School Academy Trust, 06/02/2014 Page 8 of 10

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding A school which provides an exceptional quality of care and significantly exceeds minimum requirements. Grade 2 Good A school which provides a high quality of care that exceeds minimum requirements. Grade 3 Adequate A school which meets minimum requirements but needs to improve the quality of care it provides. Grade 4 Inadequate A school where minimum requirements are not met and the quality of care has serious weaknesses. Inspection Report The Ashley School Academy Trust, 06/02/2014 Page 9 of 10

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School details

Unique reference number 137459 Social care unique reference number SC024573 DfE registration number 935/7003

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School details

This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for residential special schools.

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Age range of boarders

Headteacher Ms Sally Garrett Date of previous boarding inspection 19/06/2012 Telephone number 01502 565 439 Email address office@ashleyschool.co.uk Inspection Report The Ashley School Academy Trust, 06/02/2014 Page 10 of 10 guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', 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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Age range of boarders

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 and as part of the inspection.

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Age range of boarders

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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Age range of boarders

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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Age range of boarders

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’.

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Age range of boarders

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

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