Heathside Preparatory School

Emergency inspection school report Heathside Preparatory School 16 New End, Hampstead, London, NW3 1JA

p.1

Reason for inspection

This unannounced emergency inspection visit was conducted at the request of the Department for Education to check the school’s compliance with the independent school regulations relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils (Part 3) and the suitability of the staff and proprietors for working with children (Part 4). The Department specifically asked the lead inspector to focus on the supervision of pupils and the checks made on staff.

p.1

Conclusions

Pupils’ behaviour is outstanding. Both the upper and lower schools are calm and orderly places; pupils enjoy learning and work hard. Staff manage pupils well, both in lessons and around the school. Pupils’ opinions and views are valued by adults and their peers alike. There is a cheerful, business-like approach to work and play in which pupils thrive. They are confident to ‘have a go’ at new and challenging tasks, and not afraid to make mistakes because they are willing to learn from these. This was particularly evident in a Year 5 mathematics lesson where pupils were highly focused on solving challenging problems. The school’s behaviour policy includes both rewards and sanctions. The school’s records of serious incidents show that the need for sanctions is rare and that there have been no exclusions in the latest reporting period. The anti-bullying policy is implemented effectively and incidents are rare. Both policies reflect the Secretary of State’s guidance and meet

p.1

Conclusions

The arrangements for supervising pupils are clearly rostered, well implemented and carefully monitored. All statutory requirements are met. Pupils are accustomed to moving between buildings and outdoor facilities. They line up sensibly and follow instructions promptly. Staff are aware of possible hazards and risk assessments are robust. The school is a safe and secure place. The procedures for ensuring the health and safety of pupils in and out of the school meet requirements. The required fire safety checks are made in compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, with regular testing of the fire alarm systems. The school’s admission and attendance registers are maintained in line with requirements. The school’s complaints procedure meets requirements and there have been no recorded complaints in the latest reporting period.

p.1

Conclusions

The school’s policy and procedures for safeguarding pupils are fully compliant with the regulations. The designated person and those with specific responsibilities for child protection are trained at the higher level. All staff have received basic child protection training as part of their induction when joining the school and this is updated as part of their ongoing professional development. Senior leaders involved in the appointment of staff have undertaken recognised training in safe recruitment procedures. The school’s procedures for appointing staff and carrying out the required checks on them prior to taking up their appointments are thorough. All the required checks are made and recorded Emergency inspection: Heathside Preparatory School, 3 July 2014 2 of 5

p.1

Conclusions

on the single central register, as required by the regulations. The school has appropriate procedures for checking volunteers and other visitors that reflect the latest guidance from the Department for Education. A high proportion of staff hold recognised certificates in first aid, including paediatric first aid for younger pupils. The first aid policy meets requirements and any accidents are duly recorded.

p.2

Conclusions

All the evidence from this inspection visit confirms that the outstanding standard of pupils’ welfare, health and safety, evident at the time of the previous inspection, has been maintained.

p.2

School Standards) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (‘the independent

school standards’) and associated requirements. Emergency inspection: Heathside Preparatory School, 3 July 2014 3 of 5

p.2

Inspection team

Michael Best, Lead inspector Additional Inspector

p.3

Information about this school

 Heathside Preparatory School is a co-educational, non-denominational school for boys and girls aged from nearly three to 11 years. The aim of the school is to develop each pupil as a confident, independent learner and an active, responsible citizen of the school, local community and beyond.  There are currently 281 pupils on roll; of these, 59 attend part time. Thirty six children are entitled to the government’s nursery funding. No pupils have a statement of special educational needs. The school population reflects the ethnic diversity of the local community.  The school uses nearby Hampstead Heath for outdoor play, sports and learning provision. Local leisure centres are also used for sporting activities. The school is split between two sites, which are walking distance apart. Breakfast clubs and after-school care are offered to all pupils and a play scheme operates during school holidays.  The school was last inspected in May 2013 when its overall effectiveness was judged to

p.3

Information about this school

be outstanding. Emergency inspection: Heathside Preparatory School, 3 July 2014 4 of 5

p.3

School details

Unique reference number 100078 Inspection number 450906 DfE registration number 202/6360 Type of school Preparatory School status Independent school Age range of pupils Rising 3 to 11 years Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 281 Number of part time pupils 59 Proprietor Melissa Remus Elliot Headteacher Melissa Remus Elliot Date of previous school inspection 22–24 May 2014 Annual fees (day pupils) £9,600-£12,000 Telephone number 020 7794 5857 Fax number 020 7435 6434 Email address info@heathside.net Emergency inspection: Heathside Preparatory School, 3 July 2014 5 of 5

p.4

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 .

p.5

School details

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.

p.5

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

p.5

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,

p.5

School details

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’.

p.5

School details

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

p.5