Park School

School material change inspection report

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Hillcrest Park School Southcombe, Chipping Norton, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX7 5QH

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils  All requirements are met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 6, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12  Thorough procedures are in place to ensure that safeguarding is effective. Leaders promote the welfare of pupils well. The school has a compliant safeguarding policy on its website which takes account of the latest national guidance and legislation.  Leaders have developed an open culture where pupils feel safe. Pupils report that they are able to discuss any concerns with staff. Leaders’ daily briefing with staff makes sure that information about pupils is shared efficiently between home and school. Staff put pupils’ safety and welfare at the heart of the school.  Leaders ensure that staff are trained well in safeguarding. Records show that staff have received comprehensive training regarding child sexual exploitation, anti- bullying, keeping pupils safe from extremism and other relevant issues. Staff members are, for example, clear on how to report an allegation about another

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Main inspection findings

adult.  The comprehensive health and safety policy is implemented well. School leaders take appropriate actions to ensure that the arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils are thorough and well documented.  The fire procedures check includes a log of all maintenance of fire appliances, records of the weekly tests, records of any false alarms, evacuation drills and emergency lighting checks.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 14  There are approximately two pupils to every member of staff. Staff are deployed in various activities to meet the pupils’ needs. Additional staff from the children’s homes accompany and support the pupils at school. Pupils report that there is a high level of supervision. Leaders organise small class sizes, less than five, with two members of staff. Adults supervise breaks and lunchtimes well . Paragraph 16  The risk assessment policy and procedures are comprehensive. Leaders ensure that staff understand the level of risk associated with any activity and the actions to take to minimise it. Staff take care to discuss individual pupils and how to ensure that they are looked after. For example, risks associated with behaviour of pupils are explored well.  School trips, are thoroughly examined as a source of risk. Staff are aware that the activity is assessed including any risks associated with a particular pupil’s needs.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors  All requirements are met. Paragraph 18(1), 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(3), 18(4), 18(4)(a), 18(4)(b), 18(4)(c), 19(1), 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), 19(4), 19(4)(a), 19(4)(b), 19(4)(c), 20(1), 20(2), 20(3), 20(3)(a), 20(3)(a)(i), 20(3)(a)(ii), 20(3)(b), 20(3)(b)(i), 20(3)(b)(ii), 20(3)(b)(iii), 20(4), 20(5), 20(5)(a)(i), 20(5)(a)(ii), 20(5)(b), 20(5)(b)(i), 20(5)(b)(ii), 20(5)(b)(iii), 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), 20(7), 20(7)(a), 20(7)(b), 20(8), 20(8)(a), 29(8)(b), 29(8)(c), 20(9), 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),

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Main inspection findings

21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b), 21(8)

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders make sure that staff are suitable to work at the school. They keep meticulous records of the checks undertaken and comply with all statutory regulations. Hillcrest central services and governors provide additional monitoring of these checks. The single central record of checks includes all staff that work at the school, governors and the proprietor.  Leaders have developed comprehensive electronic files with evidence of checks for each member of staff. Information is readily available to appropriate managers across the Hillcrest organisation for further scrutiny.  Currently there are 19 staff at the school. Leaders consider that it is inappropriate to use supply staff in this educational setting. Should a member of staff be absent, there is capacity within the school to cover that person’s duties. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools  All requirements are met. Paragraph 22, 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), 24(3), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(2), 30, 31, 31(a), 31(b), 31(c)

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders are proposing to increase the number of pupils from 28 to 40. Currently there are 19 pupils on roll. The school has ample space for 40 pupils.  Additional building work has added four extra classrooms to the existing facilities. There are specialist classrooms for science, art, computing and food technology. In addition, a vocational centre adjacent to the main teaching block provides for courses in hairdressing, technology, painting and decorating.  All accommodation is bright, soundproofed and well cared for. The learning environment is highly motivating with displays which include inspirational quotations. Most of the classrooms are carpeted. All teaching spaces are furnished to a high standard.  There are two boys’ toilets, two girls’ toilets and one that is accessible to those that are physically disabled. Showers, changing facilities and a suitable medical room are available. All toilets have hot and cold running water at an appropriate temperature.

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Main inspection findings

Suitably labelled drinking water is provided. The school complies with all areas of the premises requirements.  Leaders have developed outside space for play, physical education and relaxation. A sports pitch and small field are next to the main teaching building. A grassed area with picnic tables and a school vegetable plot provide additional teaching space.  The outside areas are secured with a fence and gate. The buildings have effective outside lighting. Part 6. Provision of information  All requirements are met. Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The safeguarding policy is published on the school website. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools  All requirements are met. Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that the school is likely to meet the independent school standards. They have reflected upon the impact of an extra 12 pupils on the existing school. Leaders have successfully increased the accommodation provision. They have

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Main inspection findings

plans to make sure the new pupils integrate well.  Leaders have high expectations of staff and pupils. Routines are well established and reviewed regularly. Governors know the school well and provide effective support to leaders.  The leaders have developed highly effective systems within the school so that the pupils are exceptionally well cared for. Communication between adults is highly effective so that pupils’ needs are met extremely well. Leaders have successfully developed a culture of safeguarding across the school. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  All requirements are met.  The school has a suitable plan to improve access.

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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 Independent special school

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School Details

School status Independent special school

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School Details

Website http://www.hillcrestchildrensservices.co.uk/ homes-schools/park-school/ Email address parkschool@hillcrestcare.co.uk

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School Details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 October 2014

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 18 6 to 18 6 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 19 40 40

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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 19 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 19 40

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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 12 40

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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 19 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7 11

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 4.5 4.5

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Information about this school

 Hillcrest Park School, located in Chipping Norton is an independent special day school owned by Hillcrest Care Ltd. It is registered for 28 pupils aged six to 18 years who have emotional and behavioural needs. Currently there are 19 pupils on roll aged six to 16.  All pupils are looked after in local children’s homes run by Hillcrest. They have been placed at the school by a large number of local authorities.  Ofsted inspected the school in 2014 when it met all independent school regulations.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was requested to check aspects of the independent school standards relevant to the material change to provide education for 40 pupils aged six to 18.  The inspector carried out interviews with the deputy headteacher, administration officer, a governor and the health and safety administration officer. A telephone conversation was held with the chair of the governing body. The headteacher was not available, although a telephone conversation was held prior to the inspection.  The inspector toured the premises.  Pupils’ views were sought through discussion with a group of four pupils. Several lessons and an assembly were visited.  The school’s website and a number of relevant documents were scrutinised.

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Inspection team

Susan Child, 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

Parent View 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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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visitwww.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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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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