New College Worcester (NMSS)

Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 1 of 12 New College Worcester New College, 2 Whittington Road, WORCESTER WR5 2JX

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Inspection dates 08/03/2017 to 10/03/2017

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The overall experiences and progress of children and young people Outstanding 1

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The quality of care and support Outstanding 1 How well children and young people are protected Outstanding 1 The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers Outstanding 1

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Children and young people make excellent progress as a result of their experiences at school. This often exceeds the expectations of professionals.  Whole school communication is excellent. All children and young people benefit from the collaborative and meticulous approach of staff.  Safety and security is prioritised and embedded in every aspect of the running of the school.  Children and young people live in an inclusive environment where disability is not accepted as a barrier to experiencing a full and enriched life.  Children and young people make and sustain friendships with their peers, which adds considerable value to their life experiences.  A highly motivated and dedicated staff team have the skills, ability and knowledge to deliver a consistently high and nurturing level of care.  The voices of children and young people are prioritised. Their views and opinions are regularly sought and acted upon.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Feedback from children and young people, their parents and other professionals is unanimously excellent.  The school has a highly qualified and experienced management team. Monitoring is robust and drives forward improvements to the service for children and young people’s benefit.  The use of research is integral of everyday practice. Inspection Report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 2 of 12

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schools

The school meets the national minimum standards for residential special schools.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Make some improvements to the sixth form hostel.  Review staff training in respect of self-harm, mental health, and moving and handling.  Make sure that the qualifications of some therapists employed by the school are correctly recorded.  Make sure that information about children and young people is more consistently held in school records. Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 3 of 12

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Information about this inspection

The college was given three hours’ notice of the inspection. Meetings were held with the principal and deputy principal, head and deputy head of care, residential staff, governors, SENCO, activities coordinator, health and safety staff and children and young people. Parents were spoken to on the phone and in face-to-face discussions. Staff briefings were observed. Inspectors attended a school assembly. Two evenings were spent in the residential accommodation observing staff and interactions in activities with children and young people. Meals were also taken with children and young people.

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Inspection team

Julia Wright Lead social care inspector Christy Wannop Social care inspector Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 4 of 12

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Information about this school

New College Worcester (NCW) is a non-maintained special school, providing education and care for children and young people who are blind or partially sighted, within the 11 to 19 age range, who are able to access the National Curriculum and progress to study beyond 16. There are currently 74 children and young people on roll. 69 children and young people are residential on a termly or weekly basis. While all children and young peoples have visual impairment, some also have additional needs. Children and young people stay in three residential houses (for young people in Year 7 to 11), and a sixth form hostel, and house. All residential accommodation is located on campus. The residential provision was last inspected in January 2016. Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 5 of 12

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Inspection judgements

The overall experiences and progress of children and young people Outstanding

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Inspection judgements

Outcomes for children and young people who use the residential provision are outstanding. Children and young people make excellent and sustained progress in many areas of their lives, but especially in their educational progress, making and sustaining friendships, developing confidence and preparation for independence. Children and young people are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about their residential experience. One young person told the inspector, ‘I am so happy to be here. I feel happy every day. Every time I wake up, I know that it is going to be a good day. I am so proud about being a member of this school.’

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Inspection judgements

A dedicated and nurturing staff team care for children and young people. Children and young people enjoy a stimulating and extremely enjoyable time in their residential houses as staff prioritise fun and enjoyable experiences to enrich the lives of all.

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Inspection judgements

There is a fantastic range of activities available to children and young people, including goal ball, running, yoga, tandem riding and ice skating, plus many other options. Activity coordinators work with school and residential staff to ensure that all children and young people have the opportunity to join in. Staff members strive high and want the very best for all. One young person told the inspectors,’ I am so proud that I have developed such great skills in this game. I have travelled to other countries to play. Sometimes I can’t believe it.’

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Inspection judgements

Managers and staff have an excellent understanding of children and young people’s needs. Relationships between children and young people are exceptional. Children and young people confidently approach staff for help and advice when needed. Staff are skilled and vigilant about any changes in children and young people’s presentation that may indicate that they need additional support. A parent told one of the inspectors, ‘Staff keep a close eye on her, and always know where she is. She is so well looked after, I could not ask for more.’

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Inspection judgements

All members of staff place children and young people at the heart of everything the school does. Children and young people are encouraged and empowered to contribute their views and suggestions for the development of the residential provision, and are confident that all staff members are interested in their views and will try to accommodate them. Consequently, children and young people invest time, energy and commitment in the school community knowing that their views are matter.

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Inspection judgements

The quality of care and support Outstanding

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Inspection judgements

The quality of care and support provided to children and young people is outstanding. Children and young people receive excellent standards of care consistent with their individual needs. Residential and education staff members work closely together and identify when additional help is needed by any child or young person. Whole school briefings facilitate and reinforce the focus on all children and young people. Strong cohesive leadership provides excellent direction and guidance, including the use of Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 6 of 12 research that helps staff shape day-to-day practice. A parent told inspectors, ‘What a fantastic school. This has made such a difference to him. He has friends, activities and interests just like any other young person. His confidence has grown so much. It is down to all the staff here.’

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Inspection judgements

Constructive relationships between school and residential staff, children and young people, parents and professionals reinforce an inclusive approach. All members of staff set clear boundaries and high expectations for behaviour and conduct. Children and young people strive to maintain positive behaviour, and are helped with incentives and occasional sanctions when behaviour falls below that expected.

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Inspection judgements

Admission and induction practice is excellent. Children, young people and their parents have the opportunity to visit the school, including the residential houses, meet staff and see plenty of helpful written information about the school. This helps children, young people and their parents to make informed choices about whether the provision is right for them. One young person commented, ‘I had come a few times and knew a lot about it before I came, so it made settling in much easier.’

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Inspection judgements

Children and young people are confident that their views are taken seriously. They have contributed their views to national research about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people in residential special schools. Children and young people feel respected and that what they say matters, not only within school but also nationally. They know that there are a range of trusted adults to talk to who will discuss their worries and concerns.

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Inspection judgements

A recent innovation at the school has been the development of a youth club for the use of all children and young people attending school. Children and young people are thrilled with the new facilities, and the opportunities that it gives them to enjoy additional activities such as music sessions in an informal environment, the chance to meet other young people completing placements in youth work, who bring additional ideas and suggestions to enhance the facility, and table games. One young person told the inspector, ’It’s great, something else to do and we are all involved.’

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Inspection judgements

A great strength of the school is how members of staff help children and young people develop age-appropriate independence skills. Parents, children and young people gave many examples of skills learned at school that transferred to home. These included making hot drinks, doing the laundry and cooking and self-care. Children and young people learn independent life skills as part of the school routine, and liaison between the school and residential staff ensures that all adults are aware of children and young people’s progress and target areas for development. Children and young people are helped to develop mobility skills that enable them to develop confidence in travelling into the wider community. One young person commented, ‘I love having mobility. It makes me so much more independent and it builds my confidence for when I leave here.’

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Inspection judgements

Meticulous attention is paid to the promotion of children and young people’s health and well-being, including their emotional and mental health. Staff work in partnership with parents and carers, and children and young people and make sure that all information is updated and relevant to their current needs. Consequently, children and young people develop a better understanding of their health and how to look after themselves as they Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 7 of 12 move towards independence. Medication is well managed and safely administered. Specialist services, such as child and adolescent mental health services, are accessed when necessary. Occasionally, a young person has not received a service when it has been identified as needed, and they have been helped by staff to complain to the relevant authorities. Children and young people develop an understanding of their rights

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Inspection judgements

as a citizen, and develop confidence about accessing services they should receive.

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Inspection judgements

The residential houses are mainly very clean, safe and comfortable surroundings. The houses are homely and comfortable, but some areas of the sixth form hostel fall below this high standard. This relates to the carpeting, and some decoration of the hostel. Managers are aware of the shortfalls and have action plans in place to improve the surroundings.

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Inspection judgements

Children and young people enjoy a range of healthy and balanced meals. Children and young people were very complimentary about the menus. One said, ‘I love Fridays the best – fish and chips. The cook is great because of there are things we want, they try and provide it. Sometimes some people only eat certain things – and they cook that especially.’

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Inspection judgements

How well children and young people are protected Outstanding

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Inspection judgements

The school has excellent arrangements for ensuring that children and young people are kept safe at all times. The safety of children and young people is at the heart of the school’s every day practice. All members of the residential staff team receive safeguarding training that they apply in their everyday practice to keep children and young people at school safe.

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Inspection judgements

Staff understand the risks of children and young people leaving the school site without agreement. This rarely happens, but when it has, managers and staff respond appropriately and swiftly reinforcing safety and protection. Incidents of bullying, missing from home, the use of restraint and sanctions are rare. Children and young people report feeling safe. They say that they talk to staff if they are concerned about anything. One young person told the inspector about previous worries she had about bullying and said, ‘It was OK though because staff sorted it out straightaway. We don’t have to worry.’

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Inspection judgements

The school’s leadership team self-evaluates their safeguarding arrangements. The current self-evaluation is a thorough evaluation and action planning document offering a comprehensive evaluation of the school’s performance and ambition. There is well- established monitoring by governors ensuring that they know what is happening in the residential provision, particularly in relation to any safeguarding issues and the school’s response. Approaches to safeguarding issues are exceptionally thorough and all staff are knowledgeable and well-informed about the steps to take if they have concerns about a child or young person. Robust staff guidance and procedures are available for all staff and these are regularly discussed in meetings, and in staff supervisions. A safeguarding governor is appointed who visits the children and young people in residence. As a result, the systematic focus of safeguarding by the whole school ensures that children and

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Inspection judgements

Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 8 of 12 young people’s safety remains the priority for all.

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Inspection judgements

Managers and members of staff understand the complexities of some children and young people’s communication and behaviour needs. Staff are skilled in using de-escalation techniques. They know each child and young person well, and identify when behaviour becomes heightened.

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Inspection judgements

Comprehensive risk assessments are in place that protect effectively children and young people in the school and in the community. These address individual needs and vulnerabilities as well as environmental risks or those related to specific activities. Risk assessments are regularly scrutinised. For example, managers are reviewing the measures in place on the school site, which is quite open and accessible, to ensure that the ongoing safety of all children and young people.

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Inspection judgements

Rigorous recruitment procedures mean that only suitable checked adults have contact with children and young people.

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Inspection judgements

The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers Outstanding

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Inspection judgements

There have been changes at the school since the last inspection with the appointment of a new principal and head of care. Leadership and management of the school are exceptionally strong. The head of care is experienced, skilled and knowledgeable, and is supported in his role by a highly qualified senior staff team. Leaders and managers have high expectations and aspirations for children and young people, and this ethos is assimilated by all members of staff.

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Inspection judgements

Residential staff are skilled, committed and dedicated to the children and young people they care for. The training offered to staff is an ongoing programme, supplemented by staff’s own research-based presentations to colleagues about a variety of topics, including autism spectrum disorder and specific issues around visual and other sensory impairment. The school’s qualified nurses also support residential staff in understanding children and young people’s medical needs including epilepsy and diabetes care. Areas identified as needing further training input for staff include self-harm, mental health and moving and handling. Occasionally, the qualifications of specialist staff working at the school need to be clarified as they can seem to be misleading. Leaders and managers are taking appropriate action to address these minor shortfalls.

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Inspection judgements

The school strives to be a centre of excellence, and leaders and managers have firm links with local higher education institutions, and they share good practice in relation to the needs of the children and young people attending the school. In addition, the school is working with a national charity to help inform parents and professionals about research into Battens disease with the aim of disseminating information relating to educating and improving the lives of children and young people with this condition.

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Inspection judgements

One of the school governors is developing a phone app which will inform the children and young people in more detail about hazards in the environment. There is also a pilot with Braille notes used as a communication tool using Bluetooth technology. Children and young people are involved in exciting new technological developments. Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 9 of 12 Children and young people are cared for by a consistent and, in many cases, long- standing staff team. Agency staff are not used, as managers reinforce the need for consistency for the children and young people. Staff benefit from having regular supervision where they can discuss individual children and young people, as well as their own development needs.

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Inspection judgements

Information in children and young people’s files is not always consistently recorded across school. This area was a point for improvement at the previous inspection. The new head of care is reviewing all of the administrative systems used by residential staff to make it more streamlined, accessible and effective.

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Inspection judgements

The head of care works well with internal services, external professionals and families to ensure that children and young people receive an integrated care and support. Feedback at this inspection highlighted the overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, emphasising the outstanding service their children and young people receive from residential staff. One parent told the inspector, ‘The school has made such a difference to her. She is a totally different person now, we have seen her grow in confidence, presentation, everything. She is leaving soon, but she is ready, and that is down to staff.’ Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 10 of 12

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What inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspections of boarding and residential provision in schools: the inspection framework’.

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What inspection judgements mean

Judgement Description Outstanding A school where the experiences and progress of children and young people consistently exceed the standard of good and results in sustained progress and achievement. The outcomes achieved by children and young people are outstanding and the impact the boarding/residential provision has had in supporting this progress and achieving these outcomes is clearly evidenced. Good A school providing effective services which exceed minimum requirements. Children and young people are protected and cared for and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. Requires improvement A school where there are no serious or widespread failures that result in children and young people’s welfare not being safeguarded or promoted. However, the overall outcomes, experiences and progress of children and young people are not yet good. Inadequate A school where there are serious and/or widespread failures that mean

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What inspection judgements mean

children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded or if their care and experiences are poor and they are not making progress. Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 11 of 12

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School details

Unique reference number 117064 Social care unique reference number SC043048 DfE registration number 885/7019 This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for residential special schools. Type of school Residential special school Number of boarders on roll 69 Gender of boarders Mixed Age range of boarders 11 to 19 Headteacher Miss N. Ross Date of previous boarding inspection 19/01/2016 Telephone number 01905 763 933 Email address nross@ncw.co.uk Inspection report New College Worcester, 08/03/2017 Page 12 of 12 guidance ‘Raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/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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School details

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.

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School details

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/ofsted .

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School details

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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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. Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please

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School details

telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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School details

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

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