Baston House School

Progress monitoring school report Baston House School Hayes, Bromley, Kent, BR2 7AB

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Context of the inspection

 The inspection was undertaken at the request of the Department for Education, registration authority for independent schools, in order to monitor the progress the school has made implementing its action plan, to check if independent school regulations are met in the following area: pupils’ welfare, health and safety.

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Context of the inspection

 The school opened in December 2010. The school’s first inspection took place in May 2011 when it met all requirements. An emergency inspection was conducted in October 2013 to assess the effectiveness of the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

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Context of the inspection

 Following the inspection the school submitted an action plan in December 2013 to address the shortcomings. This was evaluated as satisfactory in most areas, subject to inspection.

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Good progress

The inspection in October 2013 found that the proprietor had not taken all of the required actions to ensure the necessary procedures were established to keep pupils safe. The school has now adequately addressed these shortcomings. A thorough review of welfare, health and safety policies led by senior leaders now ensures a consistent approach to the management of risk.

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Good progress

The safeguarding and child protection policy omitted reference to how allegations of abuse made against members of staff and volunteers were recorded or investigated. These policies have been reviewed and they now provide the required information.

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Good progress

The inspection raised concerns about systems to ensure all staff attend safeguarding training. As a result, staff now sign and date a record log to confirm their attendance at training events. Checklists record staff names after they have read safeguarding, child protection and associated policies, for example for physical restraint and behaviour. These checklists are regularly monitored by senior leaders.

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Good progress

The school’s behaviour policy is understood by staff and pupils, including the use of physical restraint, but the last inspection noted inconsistencies in the systems to record behaviour incidents. This has been rectified. A consistent format has been introduced. Detailed records indicate the nature of the incident, the de-escalation strategies deployed, staff in attendance and the outcome for the student. Pertinent information is communicated to staff at the daily briefing meeting. This ensures an appropriate and sensitive response for students and staff involved in the incident.

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Good progress

The last inspection found that health and safety policies did not reflect current practice; some were too general. There was not a systematic review process. This has been addressed. Statutory health and safety policies remain on file. These comply with Monitoring report: Baston House School, 25 March 2014 2 of 5

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Good progress

regulations for the wider organisation. Local policies however, have been adapted to meet the specific context of the school. A programme of implementation and monitoring of policies by the leadership team is in place.

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Good progress

The previous inspection found that the daily management of risk was variable. The practice of risk assessment with appropriate actions undertaken, as a result of this assessment, is now consistent. School records indicate that daily routines to manage the safety of students with complex behavioural needs are safe and are managed effectively.

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Good progress

The school action plan indicated that it would address shortcomings in attendance and registration. A new online system has been introduced. Attendance information is updated twice a day. All staff have access to pupils’ attendance and punctuality information. Attendance patterns are regularly scrutinised. Concerns about pupils’ absences are immediately identified and followed up by the designated safeguarding officer with senior leaders, parents and carers, or external agencies.

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Good progress

At the time of the last inspection, information was not readily available for parents and carers about how the school managed pupils’ health, welfare and safety. The school’s website has been updated; it is still partially under construction, but contains the current safeguarding, complaints and admissions policies. It encourages parents and carers to contact the school for all other policies pending their upload onto the school website.

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

Monitoring report: Baston House School, 25 March 2014 3 of 5

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Inspection team

Ann Debono HMI, Lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Information about this school

 The school is registered to provide co-educational schooling for up to 60 pupils between the ages of five and 16 years with autistic spectrum conditions, Asperger’s syndrome and associated communication and behavioural difficulties. There are currently 34 pupils on roll aged between five and 16 years of age.  All learners have a statement of special educational needs and most have had significantly disrupted previous schooling.  To accommodate the growth in pupil numbers, three new classes opened in September 2013.  The education at the school was last inspected in May 2011, when it was judged satisfactory. Monitoring report: Baston House School, 25 March 2014 4 of 5

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School details

Unique reference number 136265 Inspection number 439267 DfE registration number 305/6082 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 Special day school School status Independent School Age range of pupils 5  16 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 34 Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor Moorcroft Manor Limited Headteacher Chris Kistan Date of previous school inspection 24 May 2011 Annual fees (day pupils) Primary £41,400 pa Secondary £42,800 pa Telephone number 020 8462 1010 Email address chris.kistan@bastonhouseschool.org.uk Monitoring report: Baston House School, 25 March 2014 5 of 5

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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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