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Other · Ofsted report

Instituto Espanol Canada Blanch

Inspected 26 Nov 2014 · published 26 Dec 2014 · URN 100532

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Summary

No overall grade in this framework

Gaynor Roberts (lead), Chris Campbell

What we read, and from where

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  • Inspection date verified

    26 Nov 2014

  • Inspectors verified

    Chris Campbell, Gaynor Roberts

  • Postcode verified

    W10 5SY

  • Name on report verified

    Instituto Espanol Cañada Blanch

  • URN verified

    100532

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Tone of the report

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−43Criticalmore positive than 8% of reports of this type

Reads more critically than most reports of this type.

Praiseindependentrobustconsistentlysafetimelyclearlyclear
Criticismconcernsnot metinadequatepoorlyseriouslynot clearuneven

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsWhat needs to improveAbout the inspection positive critical
  • Findings888w−43
  • What needs to improve290w0

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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Anatomy of the report

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Pages
6
Words of findings
1,150
about usual (typical 1049)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 46, typical 45
Average sentence
18 words
Next steps
8
typical 5
Hedged sentences
3%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 48%What needs to improve 16%About the inspection 37%

Full report text

Progress monitoring school report Instituto Espanol Cañada Blanch 317 Portobello Road, London, W10 5SY

p.1

Context of the inspection

 This inspection was undertaken at the request of the registration authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan.  The school was last inspected on 26–28 November 2013, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be good. Several regulations were not met, however. These related to the provision of showers, facilities for medical examination and care of sick pupils, and maintenance of the accommodation.  The Department for Education asked the school to submit an action plan detailing the steps it planned to take in order to rectify these issues. The action plan was evaluated on 24 June 2014 and found to be satisfactory, subject to its implementation which was required to be checked.  The purpose of this inspection was to assess the school’s progress towards implementation of the action plan. The inspector was also asked to check that the school’s safeguarding policies

p.1

Context of the inspection

and procedures comply with the Independent School Standards.

p.1

Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 The Department for Education asked inspectors to consider whether the school continued to meet the Independent School Standards relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils. Inspectors found that several regulations are not met. These relate to arrangements for the safeguarding of pupils, compliance with regulations regarding fire safety, and requirements relating to the recording of admissions to the school.  The school has a policy in place relating to the safeguarding of pupils, but it is not clear whether this has been reviewed annually, as required. The designated safeguarding lead within the school is named in the policy, but has not received any related training. Currently, no member of staff has been trained to fulfil this role. This means that victims or potential victims of abuse may not be identified. Concerns may not be acted on appropriately. Records show that all members of staff receive regular updates to their child protection training from the Spanish

p.1

Welfare, health and safety of pupils

ministry.  School leaders were not aware of the Secretary of State’s most recent guidance, Keeping children safe in education, published in April 2014. This guidance is not referenced in the school’s policy, and staff members have not read Part One of the guidance, as required.  The school is aware of the procedures to follow if any allegations are made against a member of staff. It works closely with the local authority designated officer to ensure that any concerns are dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner.  The school has robust policies regarding the management of behaviour and bullying, which are applied consistently by staff. As a result, students behave well, and treat each other with respect. They get on well together and say that ‘los professores nos ayudan’ (the teachers help us).  Health and safety matters are taken seriously and the first aid arrangements are satisfactory. All

p.1

Welfare, health and safety of pupils

Monitoring report: Instituto Espanol Cañada Blanch, 26 November 2014 2 of 6

p.2

Welfare, health and safety of pupils

staff receive regular training in both health and safety and first aid.  The school has a written fire safety policy. Equipment, such as fire extinguishers, is serviced regularly, and records kept of weekly fire alarm tests. Fire exits are clearly marked, and procedures displayed in all areas of the school in both English and Spanish. Termly fire drills are held, but these are not recorded in the appropriate way. There were no fire risk assessments available at the time of the inspection, despite these being required by the school policy.  The school’s admission register is kept online. All relevant information is held, except for that regarding students’ previous schools, which is kept elsewhere. Printed copies of the admission register are not kept as required by the regulations.

p.2

Premises and accommodation

 The school’s action plan, accepted by the Department for Education in June 2014, details plans to refurbish parts of the building in response to the shortfalls found at the last inspection. Architects’ plans are now completed, showing proposed refurbishments to toilet and washing areas, new showers and changing facilities, and a new area for the medical treatment and care of sick students. The local authority has agreed to these changes to the building, and the Spanish government has allocated sufficient funds. However, this has been a drawn-out process, and work was not completed by the end of August 2014 as planned. The headteacher now expects work to begin in January 2015. Therefore, the accommodation currently provided for these purposes remains inadequate.  Toilet and washing areas are poorly maintained. In many cases, there is no soap or facility for drying hands. Most of the cubicles have missing locks. Many taps are broken or do not work,

p.2

Premises and accommodation

and there is no hot water. Students say they do not like the toilet facilities, and that they are often dirty. The school has not undertaken any remedial works to improve matters whilst the building works are awaiting completion.  Classrooms are generally bright and airy, and shared areas such as corridors are clear of obstructions. The interior and exterior of the building are well lit, enabling students, staff and visitors to find their way around the complex safely and easily.  Concerns regarding the uneven surface in the playground, identified at the time of the last inspection, have not been addressed.

p.2

(England) Regulations 2010, as amended, and associated requirements

 Ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school (paragraphs 7, 7(a)).  Ensure that such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (paragraph 7(b)).  Ensure that the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is complied with (paragraph 13).  Ensure that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 (paragraph 17).  Ensure that suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils (paragraphs 23A(1), 23A(1)(a))  Ensure that suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education (paragraph 23A(1)(c)).  Ensure that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including accommodation for the medical examination and

p.2

(England) Regulations 2010, as amended, and associated requirements

treatment of pupils (paragraph 23B(1), 23B(1)(a)) Monitoring report: Instituto Espanol Cañada Blanch, 26 November 2014 3 of 6

p.2

(England) Regulations 2010, as amended, and associated requirements

 Ensure that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility (paragraph 23B(1)(b)).  Ensure that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured (paragraph 23C).  Ensure that toilets and urinals have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water (paragraphs 23F(1), 23F(1)(b)). Monitoring report: Instituto Espanol Cañada Blanch, 26 November 2014 4 of 6

p.3

Inspection team

Gaynor Roberts, Lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector Chris Campbell Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.4

Information about this school

 Vicente Cañada Blanch Spanish School is a mixed independent day school which is owned by the Spanish government and managed by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain. The school follows the Spanish Education curriculum.  The school is housed in a former Dominican convent in Kensington, London and caters for pupils aged from five to 19 years. There are currently 520 pupils on roll.  Pupils are either bilingual in English and Spanish, multilingual or at various stages of learning English or Spanish as an additional language. The proportions leaving and entering the school at times other than at the start of the academic year are high.  There are no pupils with disabilities or special educational needs.  The aims of the school are to provide pupils with a deep understanding of both Spanish and British culture, within a curriculum which ensures pupils ‘develop linguistic competence in

p.4

Information about this school

Spanish and in English so as to enable their complete integration as citizens in the United Kingdom and in Spain’.  The school is also inspected annually by the Spanish inspectorate. Monitoring report: Instituto Espanol Cañada Blanch, 26 November 2014 5 of 6

p.4

School details

Unique reference number 100532 Inspection number 454807 DfE registration number 207/6305 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.

p.5

School details

Type of school All-age day school School status Independent school Age range of pupils 5–19 Gender of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 520

p.5

form

Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor Spanish government Chair Dr M Isabel Martínez López Director Dr M Isabel Martínez López Date of previous school inspection 26–28 November 2013 Annual fees (day pupils) Spanish nationals £315 and non-Spanish nationals £3,125 - £3,875 Telephone number 020 8969 2664 Fax number 020 8968 9432 Email address Canada.blanch.uk@mecd.es Monitoring report: Instituto Espanol Cañada Blanch, 26 November 2014 6 of 6

p.5

form

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.6

form

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p.6

form

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p.6

form

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.6

form

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.6

form

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

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