Meath School

Meath School, Brox Road, Ottershaw, CHERTSEY, Surrey, KT16 0LF

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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 Meath school is outstanding. The quality of the residential provision makes a measureable difference to the overall development of pupils that use the service. Their increased levels of independence, behaviour and social skills are recognised by their parents and carers and staff. At the last inspection the school had one area of improvement: to record who was involved in fire drills. The records have been changed to reflect this information. No recommendations or areas of improvement were made at this inspection. ● The provision for safeguarding residential pupils' welfare is outstanding. The approach of the school is up to date and takes into account all possible safeguarding issues. Positive behaviour is promoted in the residential houses and it is rare for any restraint or sanction to be used. The practice of recruiting staff suitable to work with pupils is very robust.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

Risk assessments ensure that pupils are not limited in their opportunities to have new experiences. Thorough precautions are taken to reduce all health and safety hazards, including the risk of fire. ● Pupils stay in a warm, well equipped child-focussed environment. Pupils engage in a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities and they have opportunities to socialise which develop their social skills. Residential staff organise and manage an activity week for the children which includes sleep overs. Parents have commented on how amazing this experience is for their sons and daughters. ● The management of the residential provision is highly effective. Planning is thoughtful, forward thinking and puts residential pupils at the heart of all development. There are comprehensive monitoring and reviewing processes in place that ensure all areas of the provision are fully functional. The residential staff, led by a strong manager, ensure that

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The residential provision is outstanding because

pupils are able to benefit from the provision. Staff love working with the pupils, are well trained and demonstrate high levels of commitment and dedication. ● Staff actively promote the equality and diversity of pupils. Pupils have complex needs Inspection Report Meath School, 03/03/2014 Page 2 of 10 that are well understood by the staff. This is an inclusive school that encompasses the needs of children and their families very well.

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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 Meath School, 03/03/2014 Page 3 of 10

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Information about this inspection

The school was given just a few hours' notice of this inspection. It was conducted by a single inspector who undertook preparation activities reviewing information about the school, met with senior staff and had conversations with other staff, met children and had opportunities to speak to some parents. The premises and relevant records were also seen.

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Inspection team

Gaynor Moorey Lead social care inspector Inspection Report Meath School, 03/03/2014 Page 4 of 10

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Information about this school

The school is owned and managed by the charity I CAN. Meath School is a day and residential non-maintained primary special school for up to 75 pupils, aged four to 11 years of either gender. Their primary needs arise from severe and complex speech, language and communication difficulties, including Asperger's Syndrome.

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Information about this school

In excess of 30 pupils of either gender have accessed the school’s boarding provision over the last year, two on a full-time basis (Monday to Friday). Others participate in the planned overnight programme. The school also offers evening activities to pupils as part of the extended school day programme.

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Information about this school

The school is situated in grounds of nine acres in the village of Ottershaw in Surrey. The boarding accommodation is on the first floor of the main school building.

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Information about this school

The school was last inspected in November 2012. Inspection Report Meath School, 03/03/2014 Page 5 of 10

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

Outcomes for residential pupils are outstanding. Residential pupils enjoy professional, caring, warm, positive and purposeful relationships with the staff team and with each other. Staff work well with residential pupils from their individual starting points, build upon their existing strengths and support them to develop new targets which are measurable and achievable. Residential pupils make extensive progress socially by learning to overcome and manage difficulties during their time in the residential provision.

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

Residential pupils health and emotional welfare is promoted to an excellent standard. The school ensures that residential pupils receive comprehensive care for both specific health needs and any other needs they may have. The organisation offers a wide range of professional services including speech therapy, assessments of need and occupational therapy. Pupils benefit from a holistic approach to having their needs which enhances their experience whilst residing at the school.

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

Residential pupils enjoy healthy lifestyles. The pupils have their dietary needs met specific to both their health and diversity. Pupils get to engage in a full range of activities both at the school and in the community including the new play areas in the woodland, swimming, football club, trampolining and jump ahead. The residential pupils also have a end of term trip. The residential and school staff put together a holiday club for a week in the summer holidays which is filled with activities and new experiences, the children are able to stay residentially during this week and for some children it is a way of having a first try at sleeping over in boarding. One parent said ‘my child tried things he had not tried before' another parent said 'thank you for the amazing opportunity'.

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

Observation of pupils staying at the residential provision demonstrates that they are relaxed and respond well to the clear routines in place. The school implements an excellent level of equality and diversity practice, ensuring each pupil’s individual identity and specific needs whether cultural, social, emotional or medical are exceptionally well promoted.

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Outcomes for residential pupils Outstanding

Residential pupils learn tailored independent living skills through undertaking regular tasks around the residential provision such as cleaning teeth, getting dressed and social skills with peers. Each pupil has targets set across the school which all staff consistently enable the children to meet. One parent said, 'my child is able to have a life like any other child and enjoy a good social life, they have come out of their shell and really enjoy school and sleeping over'.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

The quality of the school’s provision for residential pupils is outstanding. Staff work well in partnership with parents, education and other professionals to comprehensively assess residential pupils’ individual needs prior to accessing the residential provision. Together they draw up excellent detailed placement plans and follow a tailor-made transition into the residential provision. Each pupil has an allocated key worker, who works with pupils on a regular basis.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

The use of a multi-disciplinary team to support pupils is effective and successful. They all contribute to identifying, monitoring and meeting pupils’ heath, personal, social and welfare needs. Residential pupils are encouraged to eat healthily and maintain a healthy life style. Staff manage the healthcare and medical needs of the pupils through consistent practice and this is underpinned by advice given from the nurse.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

Staff communicate with the pupils to ascertain their choices and opinions. The young people have Inspection Report Meath School, 03/03/2014 Page 6 of 10 various forums both formal and informal to ensure their voices are heard. There is a residential council which meets half termly to discuss the ideas for food, activities and any areas such as bullying which may need addressing. One parent said, 'it has been a life changing experience for our child and us as a family. Our child is learning to express herself and can now communicate with everyone'.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

Teaching staff work closely with residential staff to ensure continuity in communication and behaviour management. Support staff who work across the settings and the good quality handover meetings between school and residential care enable all staff to work holistically with full information sharing on each individual pupil.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

Residential pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities to socialise and learn, through a good range of after school leisure activities. They have access to extensive playing fields which includes a new adventure play area in the woodland which was fund raised for by ' I Can'. They are well supported to develop good communication skills, confidence and general life skills.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

Residential pupils maintain good contacts with their family members and people who are significant to them. The school regularly seeks feedback of pupils and their parents. One parent said, 'staff communicate really well and we always know we can call and ask any questions'.

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Quality of residential provision and care Outstanding

The accommodation provides a well-maintained child-focused homely environment. Residential pupils have opportunities to personalise their bedrooms. Sufficient number of bathrooms and toilets are provided. Maintenance issues are addressed promptly and the accommodation provides a safe and secure environment to live in.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

The safety and welfare of residential pupils is outstanding. There are robust child protection procedures which reflect all the up-to-date issues concerning safeguarding situations that young people may face. This ensures any issues can be carefully considered when reporting situations that may lead to investigations. Residential pupils are able to speak directly to an independent person who has no affiliation with the school should they have any personal problems or concerns. As a result the residential provision has not received any formal complaint since the last inspection. However, an appropriate complaint procedure is in place and this is made accessible to residential pupils, their families and supporters. One parent said, 'I feel I can trust the school and the staff to care for my child and do not feel anxious about his needs being met. They are safe and protected by the staff.’

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

All residential and school staff have received child protection training and they have opportunities to attend refresher training every year. They maintain a good relationship with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and seek advice on safeguarding issues. There are not any bullying issues at the residential provision. However, staff have comprehensive knowledge and skills to deal with bullying if this is suspected. The school does run anti-bullying project days.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

Residential pupils are relaxed and ‘at home’ during their time in the houses. Positive behaviour is promoted and pupils are supported in diverting inappropriate behaviour into more positive experiences, activities and creative arts. Staff are trained in physical intervention techniques. Records for restraint and sanctions are kept and incidents analysed to inform future practice.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

It is unlikely that a residential pupil will go missing from the residential unit due to the high level of support and security system in place. Staff also make children aware of the danger of being missing from school and they do understand the consequence of this. However the school does have a full procedure and protocol in place if such an event should happen. Inspection Report Meath School, 03/03/2014 Page 7 of 10 Well-organised and robust records evidence sound recruitment practice. Every year two students join the residential staff team, this year it is two students from America; all checks including overseas checks have been completed. Young people are safeguarded for unsuitable people working within the school and residential provision. All visitors to the school are monitored.

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Residential pupils’ safety Outstanding

Written risk assessments are in place for the school and residential premises. The site manager carries out regular fire drills during the residential time and also carries out fire alarm testing on a weekly basis.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

The leadership and management of the residential provision is excellent. The manager and the team have worked together for over ten years and are consistent in their approach which enables the team to share their knowledge to students who under take a year’s placement. This provides the pupils with a secure base to experience new activities and learn new skills.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

A comprehensive Statement of Purpose is available at the home. The children's guide is produced in an appropriate format. The Statement of Purpose is available to social workers, parents and carers. The home operates in line with its stated objectives and is efficiently and effectively managed.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

Effective monitoring systems are in place for reviewing the quality of the services. This also enables the school to establish a closer tie between the educational and residential provision in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for residential pupils. The independent care standards visitor carries out regular unannounced visits to the residential provision to monitor the quality of care and outcomes for residential pupils and make recommendations to improve the service they offer and these recommendations are acted upon.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

The performance of the residential staff is monitored by the head of care and a senior member of the team supervises the two students. Staff confirm that the manager is always around for advice and for informal support to residential pupils and care staff. One member of staff said, 'the management keep me informed of all areas that affect my work. My opinion is respected and I feel respected in my post'.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

The well-led, highly experienced, skilled and qualified staff team is successfully deployed to meet the assessed individual needs of each residential pupil. Daily handover helps to plan the shifts effectively. Weekly staff meetings promote good communication across the staff team. Residential staff have opportunities to attend various training for their professional development. They receive annual child protection refresher training and other statutory areas such as physical intervention training. Staff can also become involved in other areas of the organisation such as occupational therapy. All staff have the opportunity to study for recognised qualifications such as the diploma level three.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

Staff have good understanding of the importance of maintaining accurate and comprehensive records and are familiar with school’s policies and procedures, and confidently implement them.

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Leadership and management of the residential provision Outstanding

All national minimum standards are met with the area for improvement from the last inspection having also been met. Areas related to improving the recording of fire drills has been changed to include the numbers of children and staff who have taken part during the time pupils are accommodated at the school. Inspection Report Meath School, 03/03/2014 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 Meath School, 03/03/2014 Page 9 of 10

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School details

Unique reference number 125478 Social care unique reference number SC013925 DfE registration number 936/7063

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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 Mrs Janet Dunn Date of previous boarding inspection 13/11/2012 Telephone number 01932 872302 Email address meath@meath-ican.org.uk Inspection Report Meath School, 03/03/2014 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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