Schools & FE · Independent school inspection
On Track Education Centre Westbury
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- Inspectors verified
Stephen Lee
- Postcode verified
BA13 4JY
- Name on report verified
On Track Education Centre Westbury
- URN verified
136019
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- The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 („the independent school standards‟) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change. p.4
- The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures 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 24(1), 24(1)(b)). p.4
- The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the p.4
- Age range of pupils 11–18 11–18 11–18 Number of pupils on the school roll 24 32 32 p.5
- Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 18 32 p.5
- Number of part-time pupils 6 Not applicable Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 24 32 Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 10 Not applicable p.5
- Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 10 Not applicable p.6
- Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 6 Not applicable p.6
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- Pages
- 8
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- 1,672
- about usual (typical 1813)
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- Flesch 51, typical 49
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- 20 words
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- 8
- typical 8
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Full report text
School material change inspection report On Track Education Centre Westbury 7 October 2016 Broadway House, Headquarters Road, West Wiltshire Trading Estate, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4JY
p.1
Main inspection findings
Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 3(1), 32(1)(c) The headteacher, who is also the designated safeguarding lead for the school, has a good understanding of the principles of effective safeguarding and child protection. She has undergone the required training and has attended a number of additional training courses to ensure that this knowledge is broad and up to date. The headteacher is supported in this work by the deputy designated safeguarding lead, who has also undertaken a wide range of training. All other staff are appropriately trained. The school‟s work with other agencies in relation to child protection is effective. Evidence in pupils‟ child protection files shows that the school actively engages with the processes in place to protect children, liaising well, for example, with social workers. Staff from the school regularly attend meetings with other agencies and
p.1
Main inspection findings
are well informed about all the work they do with pupils at the school. The school pays particular attention to e-safety, both for staff and for pupils. For example, all pupils have to do an e-learning course in how to stay safe online before they are allowed to make any further use of the school‟s computer network. The school‟s recently updated safeguarding and child protection policy pays full regard to the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State, „Keeping children safe in education‟ (September 2016). All staff have read part 1 of this guidance and other relevant safeguarding documents. The safeguarding and child protection policy is made available to parents via the school‟s website. Paragraph 11, 12, 16 The school‟s approach to health and safety, including fire safety, and to risk assessment is very thorough and as a result pupils are kept safe while at school. The school‟s health and safety officer has established very thorough procedures for
p.1
Main inspection findings
ensuring that all the relevant safety legislation is complied with. The school keeps detailed records, for example, of all aspects of fire safety. Fire drills occur regularly and all fire escapes and escape routes are checked weekly. Fire safety equipment is checked biannually by an external contractor and weekly by the health and safety officer. All pieces of portable electronic equipment are also regularly checked for safety. The school does thorough risk assessments of all educational activities, both on- and off-site. These risk assessments are characterised by a good understanding of the needs of the pupils involved and any particular vulnerabilities they might have. All staff are expected to read the relevant risk assessments and sign to say that they have done so. All pupils have individual risk assessments as part of their behaviour management plans. These risk assessments identify any specific behaviours that might place a
p.1
Main inspection findings
pupil at risk of harm and describe ways to reduce that risk. The individual risk assessments are updated at least yearly and, again, all staff are expected to read the risk assessment for every pupil in the school and to sign to indicate that they have done so. The school takes appropriate action to reduce any identified risks, whether they come to light as part of risk assessing particular activities or from the individual pupil risk assessments. Paragraph 14 Pupils are well supervised, both during lessons and at other times during the school day. When pupils go off the site, for example on a school trip, the school‟s risk assessments pay particular attention to the staff to pupil ratio and assign particular pupils to each individual member of staff. As a result the pupils continue to be well supervised while off the site. The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.
p.2
Main inspection findings
Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c) 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(2)(f), 18(3) The school does make many of the necessary checks on the background of staff and their suitability to work with children. It has not, however, ensured that all teaching staff in post since 1 April 2012 have been checked to see if they are the subject of a teacher prohibition order made by the National College for Teaching and Learning. As a consequence of this, the proprietor and school leaders cannot be sure that no one on the teaching staff is the subject of such an order or an interim order. Paragraph 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(2)(e), 19(3) The school does not use supply staff and, therefore, has not needed to make the
p.2
Main inspection findings
checks required in paragraph 19 of the independent school standards. Paragraph 20(1), 20(2), 20(3), 20(3)(a), 20(3)(a)(i), 20(3)(a)(ii), 20(5), 20(5)(a), 20(5)(a)(i), 20(5)(a)(ii), 20(5)(b), 20(5)(b)(i), 20(5)(b)(ii), 20(5)(b)(iii), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c) The proprietors of the school have had all the necessary checks made on their backgrounds and suitability for working with children. Paragraph 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b) The single central register is incomplete because a number of teaching staff have not been checked to see if they are the subject of a prohibition order made by the National College for Teaching and Learning.
p.2
Main inspection findings
There were a number of minor clerical errors in the register, but the school was able to put these right during the course of the inspection. The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c) The toilet facilities in the school‟s new premises are suitable for the number of pupils that the material change proposes. Although some of the boys‟ toilets were out of use during the inspection due to a plumbing problem, there was still sufficient capacity for the boys to have easy access to other facilities. The school uses the changing and showering facilities at the nearby sports and leisure centre that pupils attend to undertake physical education lessons. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c) The school does have a medical room for the short-term care of sick and injured
p.2
Main inspection findings
pupils, but this room does not have appropriate washing facilities. Paragraph 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b) The premises are well maintained and provide plenty of additional space to cope with raising the maximum number on roll from 24 to 32. The inspection did not identify any potential hazards to the health, safety or welfare of pupils in relation to the premises. The acoustic conditions and sound insulation are appropriate to the activities taking place on the premises. Classrooms and other spaces are well lit. There is an external security light which comes on as darkness falls. This ensures that people can enter and leave the school safely. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b) Drinking water facilities are labelled as such and, additionally, pupils have ready access to bottled mineral water during the school day. Washing facilities in toilets have hot and cold running water and do not present a
p.3
Main inspection findings
risk of scalding. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b) The school has suitable outdoor space. Pupils currently use it for a range of activities, including building a peace garden, growing plants and erecting a shed. The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c) The proprietor has not ensured that all the independent school standards are met consistently. Given that some of the unmet standards relate to the background checks on teaching staff, the proprietor is also failing actively to promote the well- being of pupils. The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the material change is approved.
p.3
Compliance with regulatory requirements
The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 („the independent school standards‟) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.
p.4
The school is unlikely to meet the following independent school standards
The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question. The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is in relation to each member of staff (“S”), whether a check was made to establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed (paragraph 21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(b)). The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures 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 24(1), 24(1)(b)). The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the
p.4
The school is unlikely to meet the following independent school standards
proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and actively promote the well-being of pupils (paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)).
p.4
School details
Unique reference number 136019 DfE registration number 865/6043 Inspection number 10022755 This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school‟s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make. Type of school Independent school School status Independent special school Proprietor On Track Education Services Headteacher Johann Holden Annual fees (day pupils) £18,365–38,646 Telephone number 01373 859803 Website www.ontrackeducationservices.co.uk Email address jholden@ontrackeducation.com Date of previous standard inspection 11–13 March 2014
p.5
recommendation
Age range of pupils 11–18 11–18 11–18 Number of pupils on the school roll 24 32 32
p.5
School’s current position School’s proposal
Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 18 32
p.5
School’s current position School’s proposal
Number of part-time pupils 6 Not applicable Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 24 32 Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 10 Not applicable
p.5
School’s current position School’s proposal
Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 10 Not applicable
p.6
School’s current position School’s proposal
Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 6 Not applicable
p.6
School’s current position School’s proposal
Number of part-time teaching staff 1 Not applicable
p.6
School’s current position School’s proposal
Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 Not applicable
p.6
Information about this school
On Track Education Westbury is an independent special school which caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Many arrive at the school after periods in their education where they have not thrived in mainstream or other types of education. The school moved into its current premises after the last standard independent school inspection, which took place on 11–13 March 2014. This is the first material change inspection to be undertaken in respect of these premises. The school is owned and run by On Track Education Services Ltd, which has a number of other centres across the country. The directors of this company act as the proprietor. All pupils are placed at the school by local authorities and a significant proportion have education, health and care plans or statements of special educational need. The school does not use alternate providers, although pupils do often undertake
p.6
Information about this school
activities off-site in the company of a member of staff.
p.6
Information about this inspection
The school is applying for a material change to increase its maximum number of pupils on roll from 24 to 32 and because it has moved to new premises since the last standard independent school inspection. While it has already implemented the move to new premises, the school has not taken more than 24 pupils onto its roll. During the inspection, the lead inspector met with the headteacher and the director of education for On Track Education Services Ltd, who represented the proprietor. He also met with the school‟s health and safety officer and had informal discussions with other members of staff during the course of the day. The inspector conducted an inspection of the premises and scrutinised a range of documents made available by the school, including the single central register. The inspector observed learning in a number of lessons and spoke to pupils during these and at other times.
p.7
Inspection team
Stephen Lee, lead inspector Her Majesty‟s 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 .
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Inspection team
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p.8
Inspection team
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p.8
Inspection team
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p.8
Inspection team
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Inspection team
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