Chase House School

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Hummingbirds, 70 Vicarage Road, Brownhills, Walsall, West Midlands WS8 6AR

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 1, 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii)  The material change inspection in June 2015 reported that the standards were likely to be met. Pupils followed a broad and balanced curriculum covering the required areas of learning.  The school’s schemes were appropriate to the age and aptitude of the pupils, and took into account those pupils with statements of special educational needs.  The inspection found that the quality of education has been sustained.  Schemes of work are now in place to support the teaching of a wide range of subjects with an effective and appropriate emphasis upon creative learning to meet the specific needs of pupils.  Displays of completed work around the school provide evidence of pupils understanding of fundamental British values and their respect and tolerance of others with different faiths and beliefs.  All pupils understand democracy through their participation in the work of their

p.1

Main inspection findings

school council, actively considering issues to help improve their school environment.  The above standards are all met.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 2, 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The material change inspection commented on the high priority given to pupils’ development and application of speaking, listening, literacy, numeracy and information and communication skills across the curriculum. Careers education is promoted through a programme from Year 7 onwards. A personal, social, health and economic education programme, together with citizenship and religious education, run alongside the subject curriculum in each key stage.  The inspection found that the curriculum has been expanded to give pupils experience across a wide range of subjects, also supported by enrichment activities. For example, pupils were all enthusiastically engaged in preparing cakes to be sold at the school’s Macmillan Coffee Morning.  Careers advice for the secondary pupils is up to date and impartial. The school has

p.1

Main inspection findings

good links with a range of local employers and the programme is supported by their visits to the school. Adults constantly encourage pupils to do as well as they can and to aim to reach their full potential. They are encouraged to make their own decisions.  Teachers have a good understanding of how well pupils are progressing, through regular tracking of their progress. As a result, they are prepared well for the experiences of life in British society.  The above standards are all met.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j)  The material change inspection reported that teaching successfully promoted pupils’ learning and good progress. Teachers had good subject knowledge and promoted good working relationships with pupils. Classroom support staff worked well with teachers and pupils, providing the right balance of help and guidance. Lessons were well planned, challenging and purposeful. This continues to be the case.  The school continues to be suitably resourced for learning; classroom resources are plentiful and of good quality.  The inspection found that teachers very effectively foster pupils’ self-motivation. They are consistently encouraged to think for themselves and to make appropriate informed choices about their tasks and learning activities.  The headteacher oversees the regular monitoring of pupils’ progress and works well with teachers to ensure that any gaps in learning, as the result of periods missed

p.2

Main inspection findings

from education, are covered to enable pupils’ learning to accelerate.  Lessons are planned well to meet the specific needs of pupils and to meet the requirements of their statements of special educational needs.  A very clear behaviour policy establishes expectations that pupils fully understand. As a result, pupils behave responsibly and withdraw from activities appropriately when they feel that they need to calm themselves and refocus. This has a positive impact on their learning. It enables them to participate fully and to make good progress in their learning.  The above standards are all met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 4  All staff have access to good-quality information about the progress of pupils across all subjects of the national curriculum. Appropriate comparisons are made with national norms and the progress of individual pupils is evaluated. As a result, the content of lessons is appropriate and challenges the learning of pupils, enabling them to make good progress.  The school meets the required standard.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  As reported at the material change inspection, the arrangements for safeguarding meet all requirements and follow current statutory requirements and guidance. The school does not have a website and provides parents, carers and others with a printed copy of its safeguarding policy and other information.  There is now a clear risk assessment policy and guidance to all staff.  A member of staff has responsibility to ensure that regular risk assessments are undertaken and reported to the headteacher. The process effectively ensures that prompt action is taken to address identified risks. For example, recent work has led to the provision of signage in the car park, to ensure pupils’ safety.  Key-operated locks on the inside of the ‘reflection room’ and the first aid room have been replaced by ‘butterfly-style’ locks to enable safe egress from the rooms. All

p.2

Main inspection findings

other key-operated locks to rooms include similar ‘butterfly-style’ locks that enable pupils or adults to leave of their own free choice.  The school meets the required standard.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  Following the previous inspection, the school has replaced locks to ensure that persons possibly locked in either the ‘reflection room’ or the first aid room are able to exit of their free will.  The school meets the required standard.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders have worked effectively to remedy the failings identified over a year ago at the previous inspection. The school’s action plan quickly identified appropriate actions which were carried out.  The school meets the required standard.

p.3

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

p.4

School details

Unique reference number 140273 DfE registration number 335/6002 Inspection number 10018048 This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school. Type of school Special school for pupils with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties School status Independent school Age range of pupils 7–16 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 6 Number of part-time pupils 0 Proprietor Ann-Marie Carrie Headteacher Phil Petch Annual fees (day pupils) £31,000–£35,000 Telephone number 01543 378043 Email address phil.petch@cambiangroup.com Date of previous standard inspection 10–12 March, 2016

p.5

Information about this school

 The school opened in November 2013 and received its first inspection in October 2014. Its last inspection was in March 2015 and overall effectiveness was judged good.  The school is located on the outskirts of Walsall in premises converted for educational use. All pupils are looked after by their local authority.  The school caters for up to 12 girls and boys between the ages of seven and 16. Currently, the school is operated by the Cambian Group. The company is responsible for similar schools in different parts of the country, as well as other services.  The current headteacher took up his appointment in April 2016.  Six girls and boys between nine and 14 years are on roll at the school. All have a statement of special educational needs associated with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. There are no pupils below or above compulsory school age.  Pupils are usually taught in small groups with additional individual support. Pupils in

p.5

Information about this school

key stage 3 are not currently enrolled for external qualifications.  The school does not use any off-site training. Physical education takes place at a local leisure centre.  The school’s aims include ‘providing a positive, safe and caring environment within which young people feel happy and secure in the process of learning’.  The school does not have a website. Hard copies of policies and procedures are made available to parents, carers or guardians on request.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the Department for Education, the registration authority for independent schools, in order to monitor the progress the school has made following its material change inspection.  The inspection was carried out without notice.  The school opened in November 2013 and received its first full inspection in October 2014. Its last inspection was in March 2015 and overall effectiveness was judged good.  The material change inspection was made in June 2015 to advise on the school’s continued registration as an independent day special school for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. The report determined that further progress was necessary to meet independent school standards 16, 16(a), 16(b), 25, and 34(1)(a), (b) and (c).  An action plan was submitted in June 2015 and considered acceptable.  The inspection focused on the school’s progress in those parts of the action plan

p.7

Information about this inspection

relating to parts 1, 3, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector met with the headteacher and scrutinised the safeguarding policy, including the written risk assessment policy and its effectiveness. Actions taken to address earlier reported weaknesses, to ensure that the premises, accommodation and facilities maintain the health, safety and welfare of pupils, were scrutinised.

p.7

Inspection team

Michael Onyon, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector 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 of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection team

Parent View 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. 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.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

p.8

Inspection team

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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-

p.8

Inspection team

government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

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

p.8