Queenswood School

Emergency inspection school report Queenswood School

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Callow Hills Farm, Hereford Road, Ledbury, HR8 2PZ

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Reason for the inspection

 This unannounced emergency inspection was conducted at the request of the Department for Education to check the school’s compliance with Parts 1, 3 and 6 of the independent school standards (curriculum, teaching and assessment; students’ welfare health and safety; the provision of information for parents, carers and others). The school’s recent application for a material change to increase the number of students to 35 was also considered during this visit and is reported separately to the Department for Education.

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Main findings

 The school meets all of the requirements for the curriculum, teaching and assessment. The curriculum is suitably broad and balanced, and reflects the required areas of learning for students of compulsory school age. The provision for post-16 students is well matched to their needs. Throughout the school, particular emphasis is given to building up students’ communication, literacy and numeracy skills and a comprehensive programme of personal, social and health education, including citizenship, successfully promotes students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural education. A range of vocational activities, including food preparation and vehicle maintenance, and a rich programme of outdoor activities, including climbing and bushcraft, provide well-focused opportunities for students to develop their self-esteem, confidence and team skills as they prepare for the next stage of their education and the world of

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Main findings

work. The school has regard for the specific requirements of students’ statements of special educational needs and the curriculum is suitably adapted to cater for each student’s interests and needs. Careers education is provided and links are established with local further education colleges. The school carefully assesses students when they first join the school and uses this information effectively to ensure that gaps in prior learning are addressed promptly. Staff have a good understanding of the ways in which students learn, and adapt their lessons accordingly. Students’ work is regularly marked and written comments provide clear guidance as to the next steps in learning. Teachers’ expectations are high and students build their resilience in successfully completing increasingly demanding and challenging work. The school is well resourced and students benefit from the expertise and experience of staff in a range of subject-

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Main findings

specific, vocational and practical areas. Staff and students get on well with each other and a calm and respectful, business-like atmosphere in and out of lessons promotes students’ good progress.  The school meets all of the requirements for the welfare, health and safety of its students. The arrangements for safeguarding students are robust; the required checks are made and recorded on those adults working with or having regular contact with students, and recruitment procedures are thorough. Training in child protection is up to date, and a number of staff are trained at the required higher level so that there is always cover should the designated lead for safeguarding be away from the school. The school’s policies for behaviour and the prevention of bullying reflect the Secretary of State’s latest guidance and are systematically implemented, with suitably secure records kept of any incidents. Staff provide good role models, implement policies

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Main findings

and procedures consistently, and value the contributions students make to the school. Risk Emergency inspection: Queenswood School, 18 September 2014 2 of 5

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Main findings

assessments are regularly undertaken, and the school has clear policies and procedures for ensuring the health and safety of students on and off the premises. First aid training is up to date and the school’s policy provides clear guidance for staff on dealing with casualties. The admission and attendance registers are maintained in accordance with the regulations.

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Main findings

 The school’s provision of information for parents, carers and others meets requirements. The required details about the school and the proprietor are provided, and the availability of key policies and other information is suitably signposted. The school provides parents and carers with written reports about their children’s achievement. The school contributes to local authority reviews of students’ statements of special educational needs and provides funding authorities with a breakdown of income received and funds expended in line with requirements.

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Main findings

 The material change requested is recommended.

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Regulations 2010, as amended, and associated requirements

Emergency inspection: Queenswood School, 18 September 2014 3 of 5

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Inspection team

Michael Best, Lead inspector Additional Inspector

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Information about this school

 Queenswood School is a day school for male and female students aged 11 to 19 years near Ledbury, Herefordshire. Owned by the Priory Group, it opened in 2000 and currently educates 25 students aged 11 to 18 years.  The young people who currently attend the school have severe behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and have often experienced disrupted education. All students have a statement of special educational needs.  The school’s aim is to ‘enable its students to acknowledge and cope with their specific difficulties and, through the provision of appropriate full-time education, assist them in fulfilling their potential in the adult world and workplace’.  The school was last inspected in February 2012 when it met all of the independent school regulations.  The school shares a site with a residential children’s home which is also owned by the Priory Group. Students from the group’s other homes in the locality attend the school, together with

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Information about this school

about one third of students who live with their families or in foster care. The on-site home is registered separately and was last inspected by Ofsted in March 2014; it is due to be refurbished and there are currently no students in residence. Emergency inspection: Queenswood School, 18 September 2014 4 of 5

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School details

Unique reference number 131353 Inspection number 452360 DfE registration number 886/6011 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 inserted by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005.

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School details

Type of school Independent School status Independent special day school Age range of pupils 11–19 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 25 Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor Priory Education Services Headteacher Michelle Reid Date of previous school inspection 9 February 2014 Annual fees (day pupils) £40,000 - £60,000 Telephone number 01531 670632 Fax number 01531 670855 Email address michellereid@priorygroup.com Emergency inspection: Queenswood School, 18 September 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

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.

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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

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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

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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School details

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

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