St Mary's School

Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 Page 1 of 12 St Mary's School St Mary’s School, Maynards Green, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 0BT

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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 Good 2

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 The senior leadership team’s integrated approach enables young people to make the most of the extended learning opportunities provided at the end of the school day. Young people make excellent progress socially, emotionally and academically.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 The quality of care is excellent. Young people benefit socially and emotionally from the stimulating and varied activities both on-site and in the community.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 The young people benefit from positive staff role models and mentoring by peers within a culture of mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance. Staff celebrate and reward good behaviour, which motivates young people to behave well and work hard at school.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Effective safeguarding arrangements protect young people. Senior leaders, governors and staff are competent in their roles and implement appropriate action to protect the young people’s welfare.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 The young people’s emotional welfare is a priority. Therapeutic services are developed and improved to respond to young people’s emotional needs. Therapists work in close partnership with school staff.

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The residential provision is outstanding because

 Leaders and managers continually strive to improve this excellent service, resulting in initiatives and developments. The improvements recommended relate to monitoring and developmental processes. These do not have an impact on the safety of the children and young people. Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 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?

 Supervision and appraisals to be utilised to reflect on the service, including contingency plans regarding staffing levels and staff development in line with the needs of the residential provision.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Monitoring, evaluation and analysis of social care to be included in development and action plans to evidence the impact that the residential provision has on the overall progress and experiences for young people. Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 Page 3 of 12

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Information about this inspection

The inspection was announced and the social care inspector was on-site three hours later. The inspectors were shown around the residential accommodation and school by residential pupils. The inspectors took part in an off-site activity and shared mealtimes with residential pupils and attended a school council meeting. Discussions took place with the head of care, headteacher, executive head, residential staff and trustees. Observations took place of residential time, a residential staff handover and a pastoral meeting. Feedback was sought from family members. Records relating to the welfare and safety of residential pupils were sampled.

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Inspection team

Suzy Lemmy Sophie Wood Lead social care inspector Social care inspector Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 Page 4 of 12

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Information about this school

St Mary's School is a residential special school, which is part of a multi-academy trust. It offers a 24-hour curriculum for boys between the ages of 9 and 16 who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The school is situated between Heathfield and Horam in East Sussex. Residential accommodation is situated within the main school building. The school provides weekly boarding for up to 12 places. At the time of the inspection, there were 80 pupils on roll. The residential provision was last inspected in March 2016. Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 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

The residential provision is known as the NEST, which stands for ‘Nurture, Emotional, Social, Training’.

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Inspection Judgements

Young people enjoy extremely positive relationships with staff who respond calmly and with humour and warmth. Clear, firm boundaries and consistent care ensure that young people know what is expected of them. One young person said, ‘When you’re at other schools they don’t always understand you, then you come here and they do. They help you fly like a rocket.’ Parents and carers note significant improvements in social skills, behaviour and maturity. A parent said, ‘Staff work on targets that we identify to help him at the NEST and home. He has matured since he has been going there. I can’t fault them.’

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Inspection Judgements

A baseline assessment measures the young people’s ability on starting overnights at the residential provision and is reviewed to monitor achievements. Staff update individual targets agreed with young people, to ensure that they remain relevant. The staff practice a positive approach to the management of young people’s behaviour. Young people receive acknowledgement and praise. The staff reward good behaviour and improved social skills, for example, empathy, behaving respectfully and achieving their targets. One young person said, ‘We used to be teased for behaving well. Now everyone wants to reach their targets and achieve.’ This ethos is consistent throughout the school and residential settings. Young people make excellent personal, social and academic progress because of the care and support that they receive.

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Inspection Judgements

The residential provision is an integral part of the school. The school aims to give every young person the opportunity to benefit from attending residential for either an extended day or overnight. The extended day provision introduces young people to the staff and environment before they decide to stay overnight. The success of the NEST is that young people choose to attend. They enjoy going there. They are able to access a range of adventurous activities within the community. For example, activities such as visiting a local zoo, forest walks and fishing are popular. The forest walk programme stimulates teamwork and learning through adventurous play. Young people are proud of their school and present a positive image of the school to the public.

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Inspection Judgements

Young people’s emotional well-being is of paramount importance. Close relationships between staff and young people mean that staff know how to respond promptly and effectively to presenting problems. The staff’s sensitive approach is evidenced by how quickly young people transition from being angry to calm following staff intervention. Staff have an excellent understanding of each young person and behaviour management techniques, which meet their specific needs.

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Inspection Judgements

Young people are able to identify staff who they can talk to including allocated key workers. They speak positively about the staff. One young person said, ‘The staff are good. I can talk to them all.’ Results of young people’s questionnaires showed that all young people are able to talk to staff if they have any concerns. Young people have not Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 Page 6 of 12 identified any cause to complain since the last inspection. However, they are aware of the process if there is a need. Prefects act as positive role models to younger pupils. They discuss ideas or any issues raised by their peers with the senior leadership group. One young person discussed a change in menu. The prefect said, ‘I will take it to the senior leadership meeting for you.’

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Inspection Judgements

Young people’s academic progress is outstanding. Those who were regularly excluded from previous schools now have aspirations for their future. One young person said, ‘I didn’t attend a full day at my previous school, now I attend all day, every day.’ Residential staff fully support the 24-hour curriculum. They contribute to the young people’s educational needs by creating time and a quiet space for homework. Staff help them to complete their homework by awarding them points, which they can use to purchase items. Staff also work across the school day to ensure a fully integrated approach. Young people feel that staff value their academic success.

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Inspection Judgements

Staff encourage young people to develop independence skills. Young people complete chores and learn life skills such as washing, helping to prepare meals and cleaning. They accept doing chores as part of the ethos of communal living and helping each other. This prepares young people for independent living.

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Inspection Judgements

The quality of care and support Outstanding

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Inspection Judgements

Staff meticulously gather information from parents, carers, the education staff and health professionals prior to a young person joining the residential service. The baseline assessment, which includes pupils’ self-appraisal, effectively demonstrates young people’s initial ability in areas such as life skills, social presentation, behaviour and independence. This informs young people’s care plans, personal handling plans and risk assessments. Detailed plans include a snapshot of the young person for quick reference. These are readily available to ensure that staff have vital information to hand.

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Inspection Judgements

The physical environment is homely and clean with defined areas to relax, play games, watch films and study. Young people are able to relax in their rooms or make use of communal areas. Young people have their evening meal around the table together to socialise with staff and peers in a relaxed environment. They learn how to manage eating in social settings. Displays around the residential provision depicting different cultures and traditions encourage tolerance, valuing difference and mutual respect.

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Inspection Judgements

The young people are active members of the school council. Prefects represent their peers at senior leadership meetings. Young people are confident that staff actively listen and act upon young people’s views, wishes and ideas. Regular residential meetings are held where young people are able to have their say about how the provision is run. Questionnaires elicit meaningful, positive feedback. Responses show a high level of satisfaction in all aspects of young people’s care.

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Inspection Judgements

Parents spoken to value the service. They report the difference that the school has made to their child’s prospects for the future. Parental questionnaires consistently evidence the positive impact that the residential provision has had on outcomes for the young people. They are extremely positive and no improvements or concerns are identified. Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 Page 7 of 12 Partnership with parents is a strength of the school. The staff work with the young people’s families to help improve their social situations, for example, by supporting a young person who is at risk of homelessness or young people who have experienced bereavements. Staff demonstrate a will to go beyond the educational academic remit and support young people in all aspects of their lives.

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Inspection Judgements

The staff oversee young people’s health and well-being. They devise an individual health plan compiled in consultation with parents and carers with arrangements made for any identified health needs. The staff work with parents to ensure that the young people are given medication safely. The emotional needs of the young people have a very high priority and are monitored effectively with the input of a team of therapists, such as a clinical psychologist and speech and language therapists. An initiative where counselling services and mental health services are transferring to a separate, self-contained building is effective. The young people access counselling, play and LEGO therapy and well-being support in a relaxed atmosphere away from the main school building.

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Inspection Judgements

How well children and young people are protected Outstanding

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Inspection Judgements

The welfare and protection of young people are fundamental to practice. Highly effective policies and procedures implemented by well-trained staff, who are vigilant and confident in their role, safeguard young people. Recording systems, integrated with education, monitor safeguarding issues including emerging concerns. The senior leadership team makes appropriate and timely referrals to the local authority. Safeguarding leaders consult with the designated officer forging a strong professional relationship. Internal auditing by a safeguarding governor who evaluates and analyses records ensures additional scrutiny of safeguarding practice. Excellent safeguarding practice keeps young people safe.

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Inspection Judgements

The staff have the necessary training and understanding of issues that pose risks to young people including gang culture, child sexual exploitation, e-safety and radicalisation. A recent e-safety week, involving young people, promoted safe use of the internet. The young people were able to repeat the lessons learned and showed an excellent knowledge of the issues covered. There have been no incidents of young people leaving the provision without permission. An appropriate policy is in place to safeguard them if such an event occurs.

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Inspection Judgements

Written risk assessments ensure that guidelines are in place for all aspects of young people’s care, including the environment, activities and personal risks. These are carried out in practice by staff who know the young people well and adhere to the risk assessments. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed, for example, if a known activity in the community expands to include additional areas, staff carry out site visits and update risk assessments.

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Inspection Judgements

A fully integrated approach to behaviour management and a reward system supports the 24-hour curriculum. The young people’s behaviour has improved. Young people who previously struggled at school now have reduced their challenging behaviour. Physical interventions are rare. There has been one incident in the residential provision since the last inspection. The log shows that this was managed in line with regulations. The head Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 Page 8 of 12 of care sought and evaluated staff’s and young people’s views to inform good practice.

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Inspection Judgements

There are a low number of incidents of bullying. One young person said, ‘We don’t have bullying, I wouldn’t like that, and I would tell staff if it happened.’ Close monitoring and supervision by staff ensure that the young people are protected from negative social interactions. Young people are aware of actions that they can take if they are concerned about peer relationships. They demonstrate confidence in challenging discriminatory remarks among themselves.

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Inspection Judgements

Processes for recruitment for new staff follow safer recruitment guidance. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been met. Personnel files demonstrate that all staff working directly with young people have the necessary checks. This minimises the risk of unsuitable staff gaining employment or access to young people.

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Inspection Judgements

Health and safety routines in the school are of a high standard. Regular testing and maintenance take place. This is audited on a weekly and monthly basis to ensure a thorough monitoring process. Fire safety is included in inductions for young people and staff. Fire drills take place during residential time. This ensures that young people know what to do in the case of an emergency.

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Inspection Judgements

The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers Good

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Inspection Judgements

The residential provision is well managed by an experienced head of care. The senior leadership team knows the school’s strengths and weaknesses and works together to continually improve the school and residential provision. Staff have high aspirations for the young people and work with them to promote and achieve these. Reward systems are effective in motivating young people and creating an ethos of success.

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Inspection Judgements

The integration between school and residential staff is a strength. The residential provision is available to all those who attend the school. The measure of its success is the popularity of the provision. Those who do stay have measurably better outcomes, clearly evidenced in school data. Additional work in regards to monitoring and evaluating the social care provision to identify areas of improvement and analysis of the impact on young people would develop the residential provision further.

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Inspection Judgements

The permanent care staff are skilled and experienced. The residential staff hold the necessary qualifications in care, or are undertaking the award. They have access to good training programmes and supervision is reflective and focuses on young people’s care plans. However, supervision and appraisal systems do not meet the staff’s need for regular formal time to discuss their development and the impact on the service.

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Inspection Judgements

The school’s monitoring processes include close overview by the governing body. A recommendation from the previous inspection in regards to appointing an independent visitor is in place. These processes provide a valuable critique of standards of care. The leaders and managers review and evaluate policies and procedures regarding their effectiveness and impact. These provide information and guidance for staff, professional bodies and young people. However, a review of restrictive policies would determine Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 Page 9 of 12 potential changes needed, for example, the positioning of CCTV cameras and use of locked doors.

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Inspection Judgements

The staff have excellent relationships with young people’s parents and carers. They regularly communicate with them and provide detailed information on young people. Parents report that they can easily contact staff with any concerns and staff respond. Consequently, there have been no complaints in relation to the residential provision. One parent said, ‘They communicate well, they ring me at the end of the week to feedback and report incidents immediately.’ A transparent and honest approach towards sharing concerns with parents enhances this relationship and ensures that young people’s welfare is protected both at home and within the school.

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Inspection Judgements

Leaders and managers are continually striving to improve the provision to provide a sustained overall outstanding service for young people. The ethos is of a 24-hour curriculum to enhance young people’s academic, social success and improved life chances. Staff are enabled to create a safe, caring environment where young people develop social and self-care skills, independence and the opportunity to reach their potential. Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 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 exceeds 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 St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 Page 11 of 12

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School details

Unique reference number 142163 Social care unique reference number SC050392 DfE registration number 845/7011 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 80 Gender of boarders Boys Age range of boarders 9 to 16 Headteacher Mr Frank Stanford Date of previous boarding inspection 02/03/2016 Telephone number 01435 812278 Email address frank.stanford@sabden.org.uk Inspection Report St Mary's School, 13/03/2017–15/03/2017 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 looked after children, 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

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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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