Stonegate School

School material change inspection report

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The Evaglades c/o Hexagon Care Services, Unit 1 Tustin Court, Port Way, Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YQ

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  All pupils attending the school are vulnerable and in the care of the local authority. The school’s work to ensure their welfare, health and safety is of paramount importance.  The headteacher and the head of education (who is primarily responsible for all Hexagon Care Services’ schools) are the designated safeguarding leads for the school. Both have a thorough understanding of the principles of effective safeguarding and child protection. All staff are familiar with guidance and good practice relating to keeping pupils safe in schools.  All staff have read part 1 of the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2016), and all have completed online training with regard to the ‘Prevent’ duty. Additional safeguarding training is offered through Hexagon Care Services’ core training department.  The school works in partnership with a wide range of organisations, including local

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

authorities, social services and the children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), to ensure the safety and welfare of pupils. Senior leaders work closely with these organisations to ensure that they are fully up to date in relation to pupils’ family circumstances, so that they have an insight into pupils’ emotional well-being.  Senior leaders ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to ensure that pupils are safe when using electronic means of communication such as computers and mobile phones. All pupils are familiar with, and sign up to, the school’s guidelines on using computers safely. Access to the internet is strictly limited during school time and always fully supervised. Staff make decisions about the appropriateness of rewards, such as the use of mobile phones after school, based on pupils’ behaviour and levels of vulnerability.  The school promotes healthy eating and healthy lifestyles through the personal,

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

social, health and emotional aspects of the curriculum and its citizenship programme. Pupils who spoke with the inspector showed a good understanding of the dangers associated with drinking alcohol and smoking, as well as a good appreciation of the importance of keeping fit and engaging in regular physical exercise.  Pupils who spoke with the inspector said that they felt safe at all times and that they were confident to talk to any member of staff if they had a concern or worry relating to their welfare or safety. Pupils said that they ‘get on well’. They have a good understanding of various forms of bullying, cyber bullying and racism. Pupils are adamant that no form of bullying takes place at school. They reported that they feel safe and well looked after at their new premises. Paragraph 11, 12, 14  The proprietor ensures that the relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy. As

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

with all its policies and procedures, the school’s health and safety policy is up to date. The school’s recent periodic inspection test certificate indicates that all aspects of fire safety, including fire alarms, fire safety signs and notices, fire extinguishers and electrical appliance checks, are fully compliant with fire safety standards and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The school currently caters for three pupils. All are supervised at all times when in the classroom and moving around the school through the appropriate deployment of staff. Paragraph 16(a), 16(b)  The school has an up-to-date risk assessment policy which clearly sets out the school’s approach to keeping pupils safe while at school, out on visits or engaged in unsupervised activities in the community. For example, all potential risks are assessed when pupils are involved in voluntary work, charitable activities and raising money for

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

good causes. This was well completed, for example when pupils recently participated in cake-making and attended a celebration event for Syrian refugees.  Risk assessments cover a wide range of educational visits and school trips. For example, all risks are assessed before pupils attend the local swimming pool, including potential hazards during the journey and safety precautions to be taken when at the swimming pool.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

Paragraph 17, 18, 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)  Senior leaders’ checks on the suitability of staff are rigorous. All the necessary checks on the background of staff and their suitability to work with children are made. Senior leaders have ensured that all teaching staff appointed since 1 April 2016 have been checked to see if they are the subject of a teacher prohibition order made by the National College for Teaching and Learning. 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 proprietor is not barred from regulatory activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act. The proprietor of the school has had all the

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

necessary checks made on his background and suitability to work 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 record is complete and up to date. It contains all the necessary information on all members of staff. All members of staff have been checked to see if they are the subject of a prohibition order. The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c)  The school caters for girls only. Toilets at the school’s new premises are suitable for the number of pupils that the material change proposes. All parts of the school are newly renovated and fully refurbished. Separate toilet facilities are available for staff and visitors. Shower facilities are available. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(c)  The school has a fully equipped medical room that is an appropriate place for the medical examination and treatment of pupils. This is a modern and newly appointed facility with annexed shower, toilet and washing facilities, a bed and appropriate first aid equipment to treat minor injuries. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Suitable toilets and washing facilities are available, annexed to the school’s main classroom. These have an adequate supply of hot and cold water. Cold water is

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

supplied which is suitable for drinking and clearly labelled as such. The temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The school has a suitable outdoor area for pupils. However, this area is limited in size. As part of pupils’ weekly timetable, they attend a local gymnasium where they can access various equipment, including cross-trainers, treadmills, cycling and rowing machines, and various items of cardio-vascular equipment. Pupils have regular access to swimming facilities.

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Part 6. Provision of information

Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(j)  The standard relates to the provision of information by the school to parents. Such information includes the school’s name and address, the headteacher’s name and contact details and the provision of various policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding.  The school does not have a dedicated website. However, all relevant placing authorities are aware of the school’s contact details and have access to its policies, including those relating to the safeguarding of pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor, headteacher and head of school have a good understanding of the independent school standards and have consistently ensured that all such standards are met. Senior leaders and all staff are vigilant in safeguarding pupils. Pupils attending the school are especially vulnerable, given their past experiences. Staff are careful to ensure that pupils are always fully supervised.  Any opportunities that pupils have to enjoy free time outside of school are carefully considered and fully assessed for risk. All educational trips and school visits are fully risk assessed and signed by the headteacher and other members of staff, including the head of education. This is in line with the school’s risk assessment policy.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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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 are relevant to the material change.

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School details

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 compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Independent special school for girls

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School details

Proprietor/chief executive officer Francis Ashcroft

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School details

Email address evaglades.headteacher@hexagoncare.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 September – 1 October 2014

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 3 10 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 3 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 0 0

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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 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this school

 The Evaglades is a small independent special school situated in a rural village. In September 2016, the school moved to larger premises in the same village.  The school is owned and run by Hexagon Care Services Ltd, which has several other schools across the North-West and up to 30 children’s homes nationally. The chief executive of the company acts as the proprietor.  Due to the vulnerability of pupils, the school has no dedicated website. General information about the school can be found on the parent company’s website. The school makes all necessary policy information available to placing authorities.  The school caters for girls aged between 11 and 16 years. It aims to meet the needs of pupils who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.  The school moved into its current premises after the last standard independent school inspection. This is the first material change inspection to be undertaken in respect of

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Information about this school

these premises.  All pupils are placed at the school by local authorities.  Since the previous inspection, the school has employed a part-time biology teacher.

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Information about this inspection

 The school has applied for a material change to increase its maximum number of pupils on roll from six to 10 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 six pupils onto its roll. Currently there are three pupils on roll.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher and head of education. A meeting was also held with the higher-level teaching assistant.  A telephone discussion took place with the chief executive officer for Hexagon Care Services. A discussion was held with all pupils.  The inspector checked the suitability of the school premises against the relevant independent school standards.  The inspector scrutinised various school documents and policies, including those relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire checks, staff training, behaviour and

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Information about this inspection

the maintenance of buildings and appliances. Reports on the suitability and safety of the school premises and e-safety procedures were also checked.  The inspector scrutinised the school’s single central record and made checks on the suitability of staff. The school’s work to promote pupils’ safety, health and welfare was checked.

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Inspection team

Lenford White, 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 .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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