Elemore Hall School

Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 1 of 12 Elemore Hall School Elemore Hall School, Littletown, Durham DH6 1QD

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Inspection dates 01/02/2017 to 03/02/2017, with feedback given on 06/02/2017

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

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The quality of care and support Good 2 How well children and young people are protected Good 2 The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers Good 2

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The residential provision is good because

 The children and young people have a very positive boarding experience. Relationships with the staff are meaningful, and the children and young people have positive friendships with their peers. All of the children and young people are thriving and achieving academically.

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The residential provision is good because

 The children and young people are included in the local community. They access local amenities and contribute to local events. The staff support the children and young people‟s hopes and aspirations and enable them to develop their social and independence skills.

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The residential provision is good because

 The children and young people thoroughly enjoy their residential stays. They receive good individualised support that meets their needs and they are regularly consulted. Overall, healthcare arrangements are effective, and activities are a strength. The residential accommodation meets the children and young people‟s needs.

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The residential provision is good because

 The children and young people are safe and their welfare is promoted. Risk management is effective and the staff regularly carry out health and safety and fire safety checks.

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The residential provision is good because

 Skilled staff manage behaviour positively. Safeguarding measures are robust and all health and safety and fire safety legislation is adhered to. There have been some bullying incidents in school, but these have not affected or had a direct Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 2 of 12 impact on the children and young people attending the residential provision.  The children and young people are cared for by an experienced staff team that has the right skills, qualifications and experience to carry out its role effectively. The staff team feel valued and supported, and staff morale is very good.

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The residential provision is good because

 Leadership and management outcomes are good. A clear management structure supports and values the staff team. Communication between the education and residential staff is purposeful, and relationships with parents are meaningful. The administration of the school is effective and organised.

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The residential provision is good because

 Robust monitoring and oversight of the school‟s performance ensure that the children and young people continually receive high-quality care and support. Regular management scrutiny and self-evaluation drive continual improvement and lead to the school developing positively.

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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?

 Ensure that where residential staff provide bespoke one-to-one support to children and young people, that there are agreed guidelines and protocols that set out the role and responsibilities of the staff involved and the nature of the work that is to be undertaken.  Ensure that in the absence of the headteacher, all senior leaders and, where appropriate, other staff have access to important school records.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

TheBehaviourSaf etThe Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 3 of 12

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Information about this inspection

The school was notified three hours before the inspection began. The inspector spent time with the staff, children and young people in the residential provision, and joined them for meals. The children and young people were consulted individually and as a group, and they were observed during activities. Discussions were held with the residential staff and other key staff were interviewed. Parents were contacted, and feedback ascertained by the school was taken into account. The deputy headteacher assisted throughout the inspection, and the school‟s records were reviewed. A tour of the school was undertaken.

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Inspection team

Debbie White Lead social care inspector Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 4 of 12

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Information about this school

This is a maintained residential special school for up to 81 boys and girls aged 11–16 years. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs due to social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties. The school is located a few miles outside the centre of Durham. It is a converted country house in its own grounds and has a residential facility for up to 25 residential pupils split between two units. Accommodation is provided for boys only and is for up to four nights a week, but is not provided at weekends or during school holidays. Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 5 of 12

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Inspection judgements

The overall experiences and progress of children and young people Good

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Inspection judgements

The children and young people are making very good progress and they are achieving their potential. They score their residential experience as being „10 out of 10‟ and they see their relationships with the staff as being one of the best things about being at the school. A young person said: ‟It is great here. Sometimes it is even better than being at home.‟

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Inspection judgements

The children and young people are clearly happy during their residential stays and they form positive bonds and friendships with each other. For some children and young people, this opportunity to make friends and to be part of a social group has significantly reduced their feelings of isolation. A parent said: ‟[Name] has no friends at home and he never goes out, just sits in his room. He has made friends at school and he takes part in activities; he has really come out of his shell.‟

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Inspection judgements

All of the children and young people are thriving academically and they are developing positive social skills. They are consulted about all aspects of their care and support, and their views are seen as important. This empowers them and respects their rights. Regular children and young people‟s meetings encourage open discussions about how the residential units operate, and each child and young person has a key worker with whom they can discuss any personal or private issues. A young person said: ‟The staff talk to you and they ask what you think. I can talk to the staff about anything, they are mint.‟

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Inspection judgements

The children and young people are involved within their locality, and they are encouraged to contribute to their wider community by taking part in fundraising activities and community-based events. This teaches the children and young people empathy skills and the importance of being included in wider social circles. The children and young people were recently involved in a schools‟ Shakespeare Festival, alongside four other schools. They performed a play at a local theatre where they got a standing ovation. A member of staff said: „This has been one of the highlights of the school year, and we are so proud of the boys. Some of the pupils who took part had never done anything like this before. One of the pupils was “spotted” in the play and he has been selected to attend a drama school. They all did great, and their parents are so proud.‟

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Inspection judgements

Activities are a strength. The activity timetable is pre-planned, which enables the children and young people to choose which activities they wish to take part in. The scope of activities is wide-ranging and includes a football club; a cinema club; a music club; bushcrafts; outdoor and outward-bound pursuits; army cadets; climbing and golf. There are also arts and crafts sessions and social trips and outings. Having access to these activities gives the children and young people positive life experiences and confidence in their own skills and abilities. A young person said: „The activities are the best thing about residential, we get to do loads of things. I stay here so I can do activities.‟

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Inspection judgements

The children and young people feel safe during their residential stays. Risk management Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 6 of 12 is very good, and the staff are very knowledgeable about child protection. Leaders and managers are effective. They ensure the smooth running of the school and strive to provide consistently good outcomes for the children and young people.

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Inspection judgements

The staff are very committed to their role and they have a very nurturing approach towards the children and young people. They are very respectful of each child and young person, and they have high aspirations for them. The staff focus on the children and young people‟s strengths and their achievements, which inspires them to achieve their full potential. This approach significantly increases the children and young people‟s confidence, their self-esteem, and their well-being. Highly individualised care enhances the children and young people‟s progress and their development. Relationships with parents are also very positive and supportive. A parent said: „The school is very good and the staff team are very supportive. They ring me and keep me up to date. I can talk to them about anything, and I feel involved. This is the best school my child has been to.‟

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Inspection judgements

The children and young people‟s healthcare needs, including their emotional and psychological needs, are met. Written healthcare plans set out the children and young people‟s needs and state who is responsible for meeting these needs. Where children and young people have more complex needs, they have access to appropriate external healthcare agencies and professionals. Health promotion is very good. The staff actively encourage healthy living and the school nurse visits weekly to offer a range of healthcare initiatives, which include smoking cessation sessions and education about drug and alcohol misuse. The school nurse said: „We are setting up a range of services that the young people are responding to. It is all voluntary. I have a number of young people who are trying to stop smoking, which is fantastic.‟

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Inspection judgements

The school has recently set up arrangements to offer the children and young people appointments for individual one-to-one sessions with a member of the residential staff. Teachers can refer individual children and young people to access this additional service. However, there are no guidelines or protocols in place to determine the scope or remit of these additional sessions; nor to identify any potential conflicts where a child or young person is also accessing professional counselling or the children and adolescent mental health services. This could, potentially, lead to children and young people receiving mixed messages in relation to their psychological or emotional difficulties.

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Inspection judgements

The residential units are very homely and comfortable, and they have a relaxed atmosphere. There is ample space for the children and young people to socialise, and to have private time. The residential units have a kitchen area where the children and young people can access drinks and snacks as they wish. The kitchen areas are also used to support the children and young people to learn valuable independent skills, such as how to plan meals; how to budget; how to shop and how to prepare individual meals and snacks. The children and young people also learn how to do their laundry and other general household tasks. This support and learning helps them to gain useful life skills. A parent said: „My son is doing really well. Since he has been staying over, he has learned so much; he is doing really well in his independence skills.‟ Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 7 of 12 Transitional arrangements for the children and young people are very good. Good career

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Inspection judgements

advice is readily available for the young people ready to leave school, and good links with local colleges and potential employers provide young people with a wide range of options to further their education or vocational skills. The teacher responsible for supporting the young people said: „We have a very good rate of securing places for our young people, and we have had some great successes. We have had young people successfully joined the armed services, and we have had one young person go on to university.‟

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Inspection judgements

How well children and young people are protected Good

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Inspection judgements

The children and young people feel safe and the school regards their safety as paramount. The staff are knowledgeable of the school‟s safeguarding procedures and they regularly receive child protection training. There are clear reporting systems for staff to follow should they feel concerned or worried about a child‟s or young person‟s welfare, which ensures that the relevant agencies are notified without delay. The school works closely with local child protection agencies to support any child or young person who is involved in any ongoing safeguarding concerns. This robust approach protects children and young people. A young person said: „Of course it is safe here. The staff look after you and make sure you are okay.‟

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Inspection judgements

Positive behaviour management is a strength. The staff understand that a change in some children and young people‟s behaviours can be an indication that they are unhappy, or distressed. The staff help the children and young people to understand the school‟s boundaries and expectations and how their behaviours can impact on themselves and those around them. This restorative approach guides the children and young people towards a better understanding of their behaviours and provides them with strategies to self-regulate and to better manage how they respond to difficult situations. Restraints and sanctions are very rarely used, and only as a last resort. There have been no children or young people go missing during their residential stays.

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Inspection judgements

Risk management is individualised and effective. This keeps the children and young people safe and promotes their well-being. The staff understand that all children and young people need to take some risks to learn from their experiences, and these are very carefully considered. Compliance with health and safety legislation and good fire safety ensure that the children and young people stay in a safe environment.

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Inspection judgements

The children and young people know that bullying is unacceptable. There have been no bullying incidents while the children and young people are in the residential provision, but some of them reported that bullying sometimes occurs in the school. The staff are taking active steps to address bullying, and a group of the residential young people are involved in looking at measures to counter bullying. The work that the young people are doing is commendable. They have talked about why bullying occurs in the school and not in the residential units, and they have put together a number of strategies to combat bullying and to support young people who have been bullied. A young person said: „Bullying is not right, and we are looking at ways to make things better. We had a week in school where we all talked about bullying, and asked everyone to do an act of kindness instead of bullying. We have made posters to go round the school, and we

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Inspection judgements

Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 8 of 12 make sure that the younger pupils are all right.‟

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Inspection judgements

The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers Good

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Inspection judgements

Leaders and managers work in partnership to ensure the smooth running of the school and the residential provision. The education and residential staff share a positive ethos that values and respects the children and young people. Communication is very good, and it is widely acknowledged that the residential provision makes a significant contribution towards good outcomes for the children and young people. A staff member commented: „We all work together and the staff all respect each other. We are one team, and this works well for the young people.‟

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Inspection judgements

The school has improved in a number of areas. There has been a focus on training and development for the residential staff, which has instigated additional training opportunities to update and improve the staff‟s knowledge and skills. More joint meetings with the education and residential staff have improved continuity and consistency, and the introduction of a school „blog‟ is involving the children and young people more in what happens in the school. A thorough induction for new pupils has resulted in more children and young people accessing after-school activities, which opens up new experiences for them.

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Inspection judgements

The staff are experienced and fully committed to bettering the children and young people‟s lives and their outcomes. Staffing levels are good, which ensures that the children and young people are adequately supervised, and where needed have individual support and one-to-one time. The staff feel very well supported and valued. They are happy in their work, and this is reflected in their relationships with the children and young people and in their conduct at work. A staff member said: „I love my job and I love working with the young people. I treat them like I would treat my own children. They are a credit to the school, and I am very proud of them.‟

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Inspection judgements

Robust monitoring systems ensure that the school is managed effectively, and self- evaluation reports demonstrate that positive residential experiences enhance the children and young people‟s lives and their education. Leaders and managers, and the governors, continually drive improvement to encourage purposeful changes. This focused oversight ensures the school‟s progress and development. A governor said: „I am actively involved in the school, and take a lead in safeguarding. I work closely with [name], who monitors child protection. I think this is a great school, with dedicated staff.‟

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Inspection judgements

There have been no complaints since the last inspection. There is good information to inform the children and young people, and parents, about how to make a complaint if they feel unhappy or dissatisfied with any aspect of the residential provision. All of the children and young people consulted said that they know how to make a complaint, and they are happy to talk to the staff about any worries they may have.

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Inspection judgements

The school‟s administration is very well organised. All of the support staff are clear about their roles and expectations, and they play a very important part in ensuring that the school runs efficiently. All private records are stored securely, and the children and young people‟s privacy and confidentiality are respected. However, some records were Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 9 of 12 not available for this inspection, due to the staff on duty being unable to locate them. Although the absence of these records has not had a significant impact on the inspection outcomes, a failure to locate required documents could potentially compromise the children and young people‟s care and well-being. Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 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 result in sustained progress and achievement. The outcomes achieved by children and young people are outstanding and the impact that 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 Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 Page 11 of 12

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School details

Unique reference number Social care unique reference number SC040508 DfE registration number 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 67 Gender of boarders Mixed Age range of boarders 11 to 16 Headteacher Mr Richard Royle Date of previous boarding inspection 22/02/2016 Telephone number 0191 3720275 Email address elemore@durhamlearning.net Inspection Report Elemore Hall School, 31/01/2017 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 that 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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