Dame Catherine Harpur's School

Dame Catherine Harpur’s School Rose Lane, Ticknall, Derby DE73 7JW

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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.  This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the previous standard inspection of the school.  This inspection was conducted without notice.  The previous standard inspection of the school was in March 2015. Not all of the standards for independent schools were met and the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage were not all met.  The school’s action plan following the inspection was accepted by the Department for Education in July 2015.  The inspector met with the headteacher to discuss the school’s documentation, and progress with the implementation of the action plan.  The inspector scrutinised a range of school policies, procedures and records in order to check the school’s compliance with the independent school standards.

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Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 The inspection of March 2015 found that the school’s safeguarding policy was not compliant with the most recent Department for Education guidance. In addition, the single central register of checks on staff suitability was not fully compliant with regulatory requirements.  In its action plan, the school indicated that it would update the safeguarding policy. It also proposed that any outstanding checks would be completed and entered in the single central register.  As a result of implementing its plan, the school has updated its safeguarding policy, having regard to the most recent government guidance. All required checks on the suitability of staff have been completed for all members of teaching and non-teaching staff.  As a result of these actions, statutory requirements for the recruitment of staff to the Nursery and to the primary school are now fully met. The school has ensured that all the requirements

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Welfare, health and safety of pupils

for the safeguarding of children are met.  The previous inspection also found that the school was not fully compliant with its responsibilities regarding fire safety. The fire risk assessment for the premises had not been updated recently and the required checks on fire safety equipment were not carried out with sufficient regularity.  In its action plan, the school stated that the fire risk assessment would be reviewed and updated every half-term. In addition, amendments would be made to the fire log and checking procedures to ensure that checks were completed and recorded at required intervals.  The action plan has been implemented effectively. An experienced external contractor was employed to review and make recommendations about the school’s fire safety procedures. As a result, a plan of action was agreed and the school’s fire plan updated. Monitoring report: Dame Catherine Harpur’s School, 13 October 2015 2 of 5

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Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 A suitable fire risk assessment has been completed and recorded for the first half of the autumn term 2015. Regular checks on the fire alarm call points and emergency lighting are now completed weekly and recorded in the fire log. Checking and recording systems are now robust.

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Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

 At the time of the previous inspection, staff had not been made aware of their duties under the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009.  In its action plan, the school indicated that, at set points in the school year, staff would be reminded of their responsibilities with regard to their duties under these regulations.  The school now maintains an appropriate record of safeguarding information provided to staff; all members of staff are asked to provide written confirmation of their compliance with these requirements.  The school now meets its responsibilities to ensure that any disqualification requirements are implemented effectively.

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Provision of information

 At the time of the previous inspection the school’s safeguarding policy was not available for download from the school’s website.  In its action plan the school stated that a copy of its revised, up-to-date policy would be uploaded to the school website.  This action has been completed and a compliant copy of the policy is now available for downloading by parents. The school’s statutory duty is fulfilled.

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Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 At the time of the previous inspection, the school’s leaders and the school management team (governing body) did not have sufficient skills, knowledge and understanding to ensure that the independent school standards were met consistently.  The previous inspection judged that the roles and duties of the school management team were not clearly defined or sufficiently systematic. The appraisal arrangements for the headteacher were not sufficiently rigorous.  In its action plan, the school stated that a new structure would be put in place to fulfil the school’s governance responsibilities. This was to be accompanied by revised arrangements for reporting to the school management board, and for the appraisal of staff.  The school has now produced a resource pack and code of conduct for the school management team. Roles are now clearly defined and arrangements for action planning, reporting and self-

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Quality of leadership in and management of schools

evaluation have been strengthened.  Systematic arrangements for the appraisal of staff, including the headteacher, have been implemented. These arrangements include targets related to the progress of pupils.  As a result, the school now has robust arrangements in place for governance, support for the headteacher, self-evaluation, school improvement and accountability.

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Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage

 At the time of the previous inspection, the unmet independent school standards had an impact on provision for the whole school, including children in the Nursery class.  The measures proposed in the school’s action plan, and the outcomes identified throughout this report, apply equally to the Nursery provision.  As a result, the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are now met. Arrangements to ensure the safety, well-being and security of children in the Nursery class are robust.

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The school meets The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014

and associated requirements. Monitoring report: Dame Catherine Harpur’s School, 13 October 2015 3 of 5

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Inspection team

David Young, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Information about this school

 Dame Catherine Harpur’s School is a small independent primary school located in the village of Ticknall in south Derbyshire.  It opened in 1987 and is managed by a governing body, known as the school management team. Members include the headteacher, parent representatives and independent trustees from the local community.  The school is registered as a limited company and has charitable trust status.  Almost all pupils are White British and a few are of Asian heritage.  At present there are 21 pupils on roll. There is a Reception and Key Stage 1 class with five children, and a Key Stage 2 class with six pupils. In addition, there is a Nursery class with 10 children, all of whom attend part-time.  No pupil has a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan. Three children have individual education plans and five have medical care plans.  The school aims to provide ‘a child-centred education in which pupils are supported to develop

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Information about this school

at their own pace through a personalised approach to learning’. The curriculum emphasises the importance of ‘learning by doing’ and encouraging pupils to develop a sense of personal responsibility and self-discipline. Monitoring report: Dame Catherine Harpur’s School, 13 October 2015 4 of 5

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School details

Unique reference number 113023 Inspection number 10007397 DfE registration number 830/6020 This inspection was conducted at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. It was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. Type of school Nursery and primary school School status Independent school Age range of pupils 3–11 years Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 21 Number of part time pupils 10 Proprietor Dame Catherine Harpur’s School Foundation Chair Mark Crouch Headteacher Margaret Whyte Date of previous school inspection 17–19 March 2015 Annual fees (day pupils) £3,995 Telephone number 01332 862792 Email address damecatherines@hotmail.com guidance 'Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy

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School details

of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 , or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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School details

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School details

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School details

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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.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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