Kings Education (Oxford)

Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 1 of 12 Kings Oxford St Joseph’s Hall, Temple Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 2UJ

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Inspection dates 05/10/2016 to 07/10/2016

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The overall experiences and progress of students and young people Good 2

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The quality of care and support Good 2 How well students and young people are protected Requires improvement 3 The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers Good 2

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The boarding provision is good because

 The new principal is bringing about positive change. He has identified the strengths and weaknesses with clear development plans to bring about improvement.

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The boarding provision is good because

 Students demonstrate a mature attitude to their education. They make good progress and go on to university or other educational institutions.

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The boarding provision is good because

 Students enjoy positive and trusting relationships with staff. Although they are far from home, they say that they do not feel lonely. They identify adults around them whom they can talk to about any issues.

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The boarding provision is good because

 Arrangements for health are good. Students are able to get the routine health treatment they need, including vaccinations.

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The boarding provision is good because

 Staff have a high expectation of behaviour, and empower students to be as independent as possible. Students respond well to this approach and conduct their lives in a mature way. Behaviour is extremely good.

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The boarding provision is good because

 Key staff with responsibility for safeguarding work well with other professionals to follow due process in the event of a concern. They challenge others to do the same and persist in that challenge until the matter is brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

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The boarding provision is good because

 Solid arrangements to support and monitor the homestay arrangements are effective. Host families report good communication with the school. Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 2 of 12

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Compliance with the national minimum standards for boarding schools

The school does not meet the following national minimum standards for boarding schools:

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Compliance with the national minimum standards for boarding schools

 5.7 Boarding accommodation is reserved for the use of those students designated to use it, and is protected from access by unauthorised persons. Any use of school facilities by individuals or groups does not allow members of the public (including members of organised groups using school facilities) substantial and unsupervised access to students, or to boarding accommodation while occupied by students.

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Compliance with the national minimum standards for boarding schools

 14.1 Schools operate safe recruitment and adopt recruitment procedures in line with the regulatory requirements and having regard to relevant guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Review the effectiveness and arrangements for the independent listener.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Expand the missing person policy to define clearly responsibilities and timescales for action in the event of a missing person episode.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Ensure that homestay families have training in e-safety and are confident in the issues around keeping students safe in the cyber world.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Document formal staff supervision. Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 3 of 12

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Information about this inspection

Ofsted carried out this inspection with notice of one hour. Inspection activities included: observation and discussion with staff and students at the boarding accommodation over two evenings, visits to several homestay families, sharing mealtimes, discussions with the principal and other members of the senior management team. The welfare and accommodation officer was consulted as well as other key staff. Contact was made with the local statutory safeguarding authority. A wide range of documentation concerning boarding was scrutinised.

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Inspection team

Keith Riley Lead social care inspector Melissa McMillan Social care inspector Chris Peel Social care inspector Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 4 of 12

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Information about this school

Kings Oxford is part of the Kings Education group, which runs international colleges in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The aim of the school is to help students prepare for attending universities in the United Kingdom and America. Courses for these students and a small number of GCSE students are provided at the college’s St Joseph’s campus and St Michael’s campus. The college is registered to accept up to 370 students aged from 15 upwards. The students attending the college are from a wide range of countries around the world. The education provision was inspected by Ofsted in May 2016 and judged as good in all areas.

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Information about this school

Students are accommodated in the residential facility (Wavy Gate), with homestay families or through private fostering arrangements. The residential facility is within walking distance of the school or a short bus journey. Students over 18 years old may be accommodated in the same block in the facility, but not the same wing. Male and female students occupy different floors. Another international college, inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, accommodates students in a separate building on the same site. There is a shared common room in a building separate from all sleeping accommodation.

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Information about this school

At the time of the inspection, there were 51 boarders ranging in age from 16 to 18 years and 82 boarders in total. No students were accommodated in private fostering arrangements. This was the first welfare inspection since registration. Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 5 of 12

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Inspection judgements

The overall experiences and progress of students and young people Good

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Inspection judgements

Staff are successful in meeting the aims of the statement of principles. Students leave the school as confident young adults. They go on to university or other educational establishments.

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Inspection judgements

Students demonstrate a mature attitude to each other and the adults around them. They are determined to make a success of their lives and have high aspirations for the future. They are motivated in their learning and their behaviour reflects their desire to fulfil their potential. Students are responsible members of the Oxfordshire community and beyond. For example, they bake cakes for a coffee morning to support and raise funds for their main international charity, for whom the school has already built two schools in Cambodia. In addition, they raise funds for the local children’s hospice.

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Inspection judgements

Students say that they do not feel lonely. They enjoy regular contact with their families and others who are important to them. They use technology, such as video conferencing, to stay in touch. They have a wide friendship group within the school and enjoy learning about other cultures. This is a school where diversity is celebrated.

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Inspection judgements

Students say that they feel safe and secure. Those accommodated at Wavy Gate particularly like the final night-time check to ensure that they feel alright and ready to settle for the night. Students are reassured of their safety as the night security staff member makes regular checks inside the building.

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Inspection judgements

Students demonstrate a mature and responsible attitude to their independence. They enjoy organising their own weekend activities in the home, in the local community or in travelling to a large city. Students develop their cooking skills by using the facilities within the kitchen in each wing of the accommodation at Wavy Gate. Such opportunities prepare them for life after school.

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Inspection judgements

Students benefit from a wide range of healthy food choices provided by the catering team. Meals are nutritious and of good quality. Mealtimes are social occasions where students enjoy each other’s company across the age ranges. A real sense of the school community is being developed by naturally occurring activities which bring students together.

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Inspection judgements

Staff demonstrate a sensitive and thoughtful approach towards the students. Relationships are warm and nurturing. Students say that staff treat them with respect and dignity, and it is an inclusive environment that successfully encompasses many different cultures and religions. Students make friends with a wide range of others from various backgrounds.

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Inspection judgements

Students take good care of their health. They take responsibility, for example in self- Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 6 of 12 medicating if necessary. They seek the support of staff to help them make health appointments. Staff put health plans into place if necessary. They have developed a good relationship with a local surgery, so students can see a general practitioner if they are unwell. One student was able to get the necessary vaccinations due to the staff supporting him to make his needs known. Staff inform host families of any relevant health needs. They ensure that any necessary protocols and consents are in place, such as the action to be taken in the event of an epileptic seizure.

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Inspection judgements

The catering manager ensures that there is a range of healthy meals available. Students enjoy a range of international cuisine. They are able to choose particular meals on special occasions that are important to their country. All students are able to experience and celebrate other cultures. Staff are well versed in the wide range of cultural needs in the school. They are able to signpost students to places and events, such as a place of worship for a key religious festival.

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Inspection judgements

Staff give students opportunities to give formal feedback through questionnaires and the school council. Staff analyse the trends and assess individual issues, taking appropriate actions where necessary. Students speak extremely positively about the informal opportunities to talk to the adults around them. They identify key people who they feel particularly comfortable with to discuss any issues. One student said, ‘I can talk to (name of staff member) about anything and he will get it sorted.’ Students also have access to an independent listener. However, their induction pack does not include her details and no current student is making use of this arrangement.

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Inspection judgements

Students speak well of their host families and their accommodation. One student said, ‘They treat me like their son.’ Students give formal feedback by completing termly questionnaires, for which there are high satisfaction rates. The accommodation officer makes an annual visit to the host families and assesses the premises. Host families say that there is easy access to the accommodation officer and, if they raise concerns, the officer has acted quickly to resolve them.

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Inspection judgements

Wavy Gate offers a high standard of accommodation. The building is custom-built with the latest fire protection equipment. Each student has a room with en suite facilities. The decor and furnishings are of a high standard. Students value the effort that staff put in to maintain the environment in conjunction with the building owner. One student said, ‘Wavy Gate is great.’

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Inspection judgements

How well students and young people are protected Requires improvement

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Inspection judgements

Students’ behaviour is excellent. Trophies for good conduct, combined with a culture of treating students as young adults mean that staff have little need to use the ladder of sanctions as a tool to correct poor behaviour. Staff are trained in using physical restraint but have not needed to use this level of intervention. The senior management team is considering a ‘no restraint policy’ as a result.

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Inspection judgements

Students under 18 occupy the same building as students over 18. Although they are on separate wings, the security arrangements require improvement. Students under 18 do Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 7 of 12 not routinely lock the door to their wing and there are no arrangements to prevent access to the studio flats. The senior management team has recognised that adult students could potentially access the under 18 accommodation as a result. Quotes to install a key-fob system on internal access doors to each wing have been obtained. In the meantime, night-time checks have been tightened. Previous practice for the monitoring of visitors lacked rigour. Students who turned 18 while in the under-18 boarding accommodation were allowed visitors after the under-18 curfew. The new principal recognises the potential vulnerabilities of this arrangement. He has introduced a new protocol, whereby students who turn 18 while in the young people’s wing abide by

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Inspection judgements

the same rules as those who are under 18. They are no longer allowed visitors after hours.

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Inspection judgements

Staff undergo safer recruitment training. The vast majority of job applicants have their employment history checked. However, in a minority of cases the interviewer did not record explanations for gaps in employment. Staff record the dates on the single central register on which the vetting checks were completed but they do not record the dates of other checks. This does not present significant risks, but such practice is not in strict accordance with the recently amended statutory guidance (‘Keeping students safe in education’, September 2016).

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Inspection judgements

Local Safeguarding Students Board representatives train staff in safeguarding. Staff show a good knowledge of practice and are alert to any concerns, including any vulnerability to radicalisation, sexual exploitation or female genital mutilation. They know what to do and who to go to in the event of a concern. No such concerns have arisen since the school’s opening.

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Inspection judgements

Missing from school is not an issue at this school. Students are extremely motivated to engage in their learning and prove their mature attitude to independence as they prepare for university. They complete ‘going away sheets’ when they are going to be absent, for example going to stay with their family in a nearby hotel. Staff do have a policy to follow in the event of a missing person episode. This lacks clarity as to who takes responsibility and the timescales. For example, identifying who will search the surrounding area and when to contact the police. The policy does not refer to the local police protocol on absence versus missing. Staff do not have key information readily available to send to the police in the event of an episode of missing. There has been one misunderstanding as to the whereabouts of a student since registration, who later returned safely. Staff followed protocols but did not keep a detailed chronology of the

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Inspection judgements

Named staff ensure that host families have training in safeguarding. They show a good awareness of safeguarding and know whom to contact if they have a concern, including after hours if necessary. Some host families have not had recent training in e-safety. The school has not assured itself of the proficiency of host families in understanding the risks in the cyber world. Rules that apply in the school for safeguarding reasons, such as access to a student’s electronic device, are not clear for host families.

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Inspection judgements

Students live in a safe physical environment. A detailed health and safety policy underpins practice. All necessary checks are carried out, including in host family accommodation, to ensure the ongoing welfare of students. Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 8 of 12 Students are kept safe at night. A security guard patrols the grounds and makes regular checks inside the building. As a result of a previous incident, he ensures that the ‘visitor sign in’ procedure is being followed. He is aware of those students who are under 18 and the procedure to follow if they want to leave the site after their curfew. All staff demonstrate a strong focus on safeguarding the under 18s in recognition of their ‘child’ status.

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Inspection judgements

The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers Good

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Inspection judgements

A qualified, experienced and active group of directors and senior managers oversee all school practice. They are regular visitors to the school, they mingle with the students and staff, and they provide regular scrutiny and monitoring. The senior leadership team welcomes their critical friends, and they respond positively to the constructive criticism and challenge. Students live in an environment where there a desire for continual improvement.

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Inspection judgements

The directors have recently appointed a new principal. Staff enjoy his management style and respond well to his leadership. They warmly embrace change as they accept the need for continuous self-reflection and improvement. The principal ensures that managers monitor compliance with policy and the national minimum standards for boarding schools. He draws up an action plan to address immediate issues and a plan for strategic development. He had already identified the vulnerability in some security measures, confirmed during the inspection, and has clear plans to improve systems. He has obtained quotes and booked appointments with contractors and the owner of the building to discuss the timeframe for the security improvements, in line with the changing cohort of students. He recognises the need to consider fully the different needs of students as determined by their age.

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Inspection judgements

The principal is a role model and a stimulus for promoting first class care. He has brought about systematic improvement in other areas, such as the personal, social and health education programme. He brings in various expert speakers to teach students about a range of issues, including bullying, alcohol, sexual health and staying safe online. Students are being well educated to develop as responsible members of society. They know how to keep themselves safe in the wider world. The principal puts the individual needs of students at the centre of practice, for example by providing staff training in working with students with dyslexia and those who do not have English as their first language.

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Inspection judgements

Care staff speak highly of their senior leadership team. They describe how they are an inspiration to them and the students, for all to achieve their maximum potential. Staff are motivated and dedicated to meet all the individual needs of the students they care for. They can discuss any issues in supervision as well as in the day-to-day interaction with their line manager. The manager exchanges outcomes from supervision in ad-hoc email communication. He does not formally document the supervision at least termly. This omission inhibits the school’s ability to measure staff’s continual professional development effectively. Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 9 of 12 Other staff are responsible for the robust admissions process. They ensure that the necessary visas are in place, undertake assessments and identify suitable accommodation. Students follow a simple itinerary once they arrive in the country to get

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Inspection judgements

them safely to their host family or the on-site boarding provision. Students are then involved in an induction programme to familiarise them with the school and surrounding area, which helps them to settle.

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Inspection judgements

Key staff oversee the arrangements for host families. They ensure that all the necessary checks are in place and visit regularly. They seek students’ views every term on their placement with a host family. Host families speak in the most positive terms about the school. They recommend the arrangement to others. They have access to immediate support and advice, even if this is out of hours. A member of a host family said, ‘Communication with the school is fantastic.’

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Inspection judgements

This school is in the hands of competent leaders who are embedding good practice by having high expectations. Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 10 of 12

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What inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of students 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 students and young people consistently exceeds the standard of good and results in sustained progress and achievement. The outcomes achieved by students 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. Students 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 students and young people’s welfare not being safeguarded or promoted. However, the overall outcomes, experiences and progress of students 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

students 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 Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 Page 11 of 12

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School details

Unique reference number 138602 Social care unique reference number 1159262 DfE registration number 931/6010 This inspection was carried out under the Students Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools. Type of school Boarding school Number of boarders on roll 51 (16-18) Gender of boarders Mixed Age range of boarders 16 to 33 Principal Mr Mike Smith Date of previous boarding inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01865 711 829 Email address oxford@kingseducation.com Inspection Report Kings Oxford, 05/10/2016 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 students and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and students’s social care, and inspects the Students 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 students’s services, and inspects services for looked after students, 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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