Saint Pierre School

School progress monitoring inspection report Saint Pierre School 5 October 2016 16 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1LE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  In July 2015, this standard was not met because the safeguarding policy on the school’s website was out of date and misleading. Procedures for referring safeguarding incidents to the appropriate authorities were not clear. Training for the designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) was out of date. The proprietor did not review the safeguarding policy effectively.  The school’s action plan stated that a new safeguarding policy would be written and that all staff would be trained in safeguarding, including the designated safeguarding leads. It also stated that the implementation of the safeguarding policy would be monitored and the policy would be amended in light of any change of government directive.  The proprietors’ action to meet the previously unmet standard has been effective. The safeguarding policy has been updated to reflect the latest guidance ‘Keeping

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Main inspection findings

children safe in education’ (2016) and appears on the school’s website. All staff have signed a document to say they have received and read the latest guidance. The three DSLs have received relevant training, and the inspector was shown certificates to validate this. Systems are place to monitor and update the policy, as is demonstrated by the most recent documentation being referenced in the safeguarding policy. Paragraph 11  In July 2015, this standard was not met because the proprietors were not implementing the school’s health and safety policy with sufficient rigour. Portable appliance testing was incomplete, there was no evidence that the gas boiler had been tested, a restraint to prevent a first floor window from fully opening was missing, and some of the electrical wiring was in a poor condition.  The school’s action plan stated that a new health and safety policy would be written and a health and safety audit would be conducted in December 2015. The action

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Main inspection findings

plan also identified how the school would address any issues raised in the health and safety audit, as well as the portable appliance testing, the boiler, the faulty window and the poor wiring.  The proprietors’ action to meet the previously unmet standard has been effective. A new health and safety policy has been written and appears on the school’s website. A health and safety audit was conducted in December 2015. Recommendations from the audit feed into the school’s maintenance schedule. A new boiler has been installed, faulty wiring has been rectified and the unsecure window has been repaired. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  In July 2015, this standard was not met because the proprietors were not implementing the school’s risk assessment policy with sufficient rigour. Potential risks relating to the school site had not been identified.  The school’s action plan stated that a new risk assessment policy would be written

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Main inspection findings

and that more stringent daily checks would be carried out. It also stated that staff would be given the opportunity to recognise and report any potential risks.  The proprietors’ action to meet the previously unmet standard has been effective. A revised risk assessment policy appears on the school’s website. The inspector was shown records of daily maintenance checks and evidence that any identified issues have been resolved. An appropriate schedule for maintenance during the school holidays is also in place. Meetings with staff provide them with regular opportunities to raise any issues which pose a risk to pupils’ well-being. The inspector scrutinised a sample of risk assessments, including for a school excursion and for how to keep pupils safe when crossing the road. These were of an acceptable standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  In July 2015, this standard was not met because some aspects of the school’s accommodation were not been maintained to an appropriate standard. Inspectors identified concerns about school security. The school’s boundary fence was insecure, hazardous substances were being kept in an unlocked cupboard and the door to the loft was not locked. Drinking water was not clearly labelled.  The school’s action plan indicated that daily checks would be carried out to include the boundary fence and to ensure compliance with the control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) regulations. The plan also stated that parents will be requested to make the school aware of any issues they believe relate to the school premises.  The proprietors’ action to meet the preciously unmet standard has been effective. New fence panels have been installed and all cupboards are kept locked, as well as

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Main inspection findings

the door to the loft. The daily checking record includes the boundary fence and the checking of locked cupboards. The inspector also had sight of a communication with parents inviting them to inform the school if they had concerns about any aspect of the school’s accommodation.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c)  In July 2015, this standard was not met because the school did not provide information about the medical care of pupils and how the school provides for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.  The school’s action plan indicated that a revised first aid policy was to be produced and posted on the school’s website. The plan also stated that details of how the school meets the needs of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities or who have an EHC plan will be catered for.  The proprietors’ action to meet the previously unmet standard has been effective. The inspector reviewed the revised first aid policy which appears on the school’s website and this is fit for purpose. The school now makes information available to parents and prospective parents as to how it caters for pupils who have special

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Main inspection findings

educational needs and/or disabilities or who have an EHC plan.

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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)  In July 2015, this standard was not met because the school’s leaders and proprietors did not demonstrate a good understanding of the independent school standards. Pupils’ well-being was not effectively promoted.  The school’s action plan indicated that named members of staff would be identified to oversee safeguarding and health and safety, and at the same time to ensure that the independent school standards are being consistently met. The plan also states that the school’s compliance with the independent school standards will be monitored termly.  The proprietors’ and leaders’ action to meet the previously unmet standard has been effective. The headmaster has reduced his teaching commitment in order to devote more time to regularly checking the school’s compliance with the standards. Key members of staff have oversight of matters relating to safeguarding and pupils’

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Main inspection findings

health and safety, although the school’s actions have ensured that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure pupils are safeguarded and their well-being is promoted.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Paragraphs 3.4, 3.54, 3.64, 3.73  In July 2015, these requirements were not met because the school’s leaders and proprietors had not ensured that an up-to-date safeguarding policy was displayed on the school’s website. Aspects of the school’s accommodation were deemed to be unsafe. Potential risks to children had not been sufficiently assessed. The provider had not made information available to parents about how the school supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities or how it supports children with medical needs.  The school’s action plan stated that a revised safeguarding policy would be produced and placed on the website. Plans were identified for making the school premises safe and for identifying any potential risks to children’s well-being. The action plan also stated that it would provide information on how it provides for children who

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Main inspection findings

have medical needs and who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The proprietors and leaders have now ensured that all of these requirements have been met.

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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.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 The proprietor must ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)).  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy (paragraph 11).  The proprietor must ensure that the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified (paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)).  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures 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

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

of pupils are ensured (paragraph 25).  The proprietor must ensure that the information specified in sub-paragraph (3) is made available to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector, the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate; and particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request (paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(b) and 32(1)(c)).  The proprietor must ensure 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),

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School details

Unique reference number 115408 DfE registration number 882/6007 Inspection number 10022342 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 Day independent school School status Independent school Age range of pupils 3–11 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 118 Number of part-time pupils 23 Proprietor Christopher Perkins and Kurt Davies Headmaster Christopher Perkins Annual fees (day pupils) £6,579 - £7,617 Telephone number 01702 474164 Website www.saintpierreschool.net Email address info@saintpierreschool.com Date of previous standard inspection 9 July 2015

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Information about this school

 Saint Pierre School is a mixed independent day preparatory school in Leigh-on-Sea. It opened in 1952.  The school is located in a large, detached Victorian house. Its facilities include a multi-use hall. The school uses local sports venues.  Pupils mostly transfer to selective maintained schools at the age of 11.  The school aims, ‘to work in effective collaboration with parents and pupils to ensure that each individual child is enabled to develop their true potential to the full in all areas of the curriculum’.  There are 35 children in the early years setting, 23 of whom attend on a part-time basis.  The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is above that found nationally.  Pupils come from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds that reflect those of the local area. No pupils speak English as an additional language.  The school does not make use of any alternative provider, and only operates from

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Information about this school

the registered address.  The school was previously inspected in July 2015, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This is the school’s first progress monitoring inspection. It was conducted without notice.  The Department for Education (DfE) accepted the school’s revised action plan on 15 August 2016.  The DfE requested that the inspection checked part 3 (welfare, health and safety), part 5 (premises of and accommodation at schools), part 6 (provision of information) and part 8 (leadership and management) standards.  Meetings took place with the headteacher, who is also one of the proprietors. The inspector visited every class to observe pupils at work.  A range of welfare, health and safety documentation, including policies and records

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Information about this inspection

relating to safeguarding pupils, was scrutinised to check compliance with the independent school standards. The robustness of the school’s recruitment and staff vetting procedures was also evaluated. The inspector also conducted a check of the accommodation.  The inspector checked that the school’s safeguarding policy was available on the school’s website and guidance was implemented effectively.  There were too few responses to Parent View, Ofsted’s online questionnaire, for these to be considered.

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Inspection team

John Daniell, 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

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 .

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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-

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Inspection team

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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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

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