Independent Educational Services

School material change inspection report

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Independent Educational Services 100 Cross Street, Stockingford, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 8JH

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a), 16(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s safeguarding policy has a link to the recent statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2016), and also has links to safeguarding websites for the seven local authorities that place pupils at the school. The safeguarding policy is adequate but does not fully reflect all the measures the school takes to keep pupils safe from harm or risk of harm. For example, the school has produced a very helpful aide-memoire of actions for staff to do, or that they must not do, when faced with potential safeguarding issues and this is not included in the policy.  The safeguarding policy is also linked to the school’s personal, social and health education policy. There are further school policies and procedures that include safeguarding topics. For example, bullying, cyber bullying, managing relationships and the ‘Prevent’ duty. These additional policies are designed to protect pupils from

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Main inspection findings

harm, reduce risk of harm and to educate pupils to keep themselves safe in school, and in their homes and communities.  Safeguarding issues are a key feature of daily briefing meetings and weekly staff meetings. This close monitoring enables leaders to identify difficulties quickly and to put workable interventions in place to diffuse or deflect escalation when behaviour threatens to deteriorate. As a result, the school is a calm and safe place for pupils to be. No safeguarding issues arose during the inspection.  Leaders ensure that pupils are properly supervised throughout their school day. Risk assessments are made on pupils’ needs and regularly updated. In some instances, these risk assessments determine that staffing levels reach two adults to one pupil. In this way, leaders ensure the safety of pupils and staff and that learning can take place.  The school has a health and safety policy in place and fire safety log books show that

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Main inspection findings

the premises are inspected regularly and certificates are kept in the fire safety files.  The proposed increase in pupil numbers will not adversely affect these arrangements.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements in this part providing the potential risks continue to be closely monitored and appropriately managed. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 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), 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), 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), 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),

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Main inspection findings

21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), and 21(7)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The single central register is maintained by administrative staff and overseen by the proprietors.  All required checks are made and recorded in electronic format.  All staff are UK citizens.  Staff are not appointed until they meet all requirements.  When supply staff are required, the school uses one provider and a regular group of teachers. This approach provides an element of continuity and familiar relationships that helps those pupils who struggle with change.  All required checks on the supply provider are in place.  Staff files include checklists that demonstrate the use of safer recruitment procedures.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements for this standard if the Department for Education (DfE) approve the implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c),

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Main inspection findings

24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b), and 30

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Main inspection findings

 The school operates over three sites with one currently dedicated to post-16 students.  Collectively, the three sites provide adequate accommodation for the needs of its pupils and offer school leaders flexibility in placing pupils in the most suitable setting.  School leaders have ensured that the premises are well kept and safe, and satisfy the requirements of this standard.  There is sufficient space for the increase in numbers because school leaders are flexible and responsive to pupils’ needs, and place pupils appropriately.  The school has access to four different sports centres for physical education where shower and changing facilities are provided.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements for this standard if the Department for Education approve the implementation of the material change. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy can be accessed on the school’s website.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders have been communicating with the Department for Education to increase numbers and believed they had already obtained approval in principle to proceed with the increase in numbers. Therefore the school is catering for 19 pupils plus a pupil who is an emergency placement for which there has been DfE approval.  The school has not made any further changes to its registration arrangements without the required approval from the Department for Education.  School leaders have the skills and knowledge, and take the necessary steps needed, to ensure that the independent school standards are being met consistently.  School leaders are dedicated to providing a safe and productive learning environment in which pupils can thrive personally and academically.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements for this standard if the DfE approve

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Main inspection findings

the implementation of the material change.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely 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.

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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 likely 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 Day special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties School status Independent school

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School details

Proprietor Independent Educational Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £36,500–£72,950

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School details

Website www.independenteducationalservices.com

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School details

Email address independenteducationalservices@gmail.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4–6 March 2014

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 19 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 20 19 19

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 16 19

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities 20 19

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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 20 19

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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 20 19

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 12 (including 2 QTS) Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 3 QTS Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 17 support staff Not applicable

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Information about this school

 Independent Educational Services is an independent day school with three sites situated in Nuneaton and Atherstone.  Pupils are placed at the school by seven local authorities.  The school is registered for 17 pupils and is seeking approval for 19 pupils.  All pupils have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan.  Four pupils are children in care.  Currently, one of the sites is dedicated for post-16 students of whom there are four.  The school utilises a range of other providers including local libraries, sports centres and vocational organisations to extend the curriculum experiences for pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out by Ofsted at the request of the registration authority, the Department for Education. The school applied for a material change in respect of proposals to increase the registered numbers on roll from 17 to 19.  This inspection was conducted in one day with two days’ notice.  The inspector met with the proprietors and members of staff with key administrative responsibilities. She visited the three sites and reviewed a range of relevant documentation including: safeguarding; health and safety; risk assessment and accessibility policies; fire safety certificates; the single central register; and staff files. In addition, the inspector audited the premises and accommodation for compliance against the independent school standards in respect of the material change.

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Inspection team

Elizabeth Ellis-Martin, 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

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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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