High Peak School

High Peak School Kedleston Group Limited, Holloway Lane, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, Middlesex UB7 0AE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school’s safeguarding procedures are effective. The school’s policy and procedures are in accordance with government guidance and refer to locally agreed inter-agency procedures.  All staff undertake comprehensive safeguarding training prior to taking up post. Staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They keep a close eye on pupils and make sure that any concerns are reported immediately to the designated safeguarding leads. Staff are confident that any concerns are followed up assiduously by the designated leads.  Staff use both informal and formal opportunities to teach pupils about how to keep themselves safe.  The school takes part in anti-bullying week. A log is kept of any incidents and the actions taken to address these. Pupils report that the incidence of bullying has reduced since the previous inspection. Pupils are confident that staff follow up on any

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Main inspection findings

concerns regarding bullying and that any racist or homophobic name-calling is challenged by staff.  Strong relationships between staff and pupils mean that pupils are confident to talk to an adult if they have any worries or concerns.  The designated safeguarding leads liaise closely with external agencies and make sure that records are kept up to date. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c)  Since the previous inspection, the principal has made a number of organisational changes which have improved pupils’ behaviour across the school. For example, the school is now split into two parts: upper and lower school. Younger pupils spend most of their time in one classroom, which helps reduce their anxieties around transitions during the school day. The range of strategies put in place by the school since the previous inspection has helped to reduce the number of fixed-period exclusions.  The school has implemented a new online recording and tracking system for

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Main inspection findings

behaviour. This new system enables leaders and managers to monitor patterns and trends across the school.  The school’s behaviour policy sets out the hierarchy of sanctions very clearly. Pupils told the inspector that they appreciate the support of adults to help them reflect on their actions when they have made poor behaviour choices. Pupils value the ‘fresh start’ that they are always given following any incident.  Pupils are motivated by the school’s rewards system. Pupils who spoke to the inspector described the behaviours which help them to achieve the goals they have set themselves. Pupils know that good attendance, showing respect to adults and other pupils, as well as acting safely, are important. Pupils make sure that they look smart in their uniform. Paragraph 14  Pupils are supervised closely, both on and off site. Every class has at least one teacher and one teaching assistant present throughout the school day. Some classes

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Main inspection findings

have additional teaching assistants deployed if the needs of the pupils require this.  All staff, including administrative staff, have comprehensive training prior to taking up post to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills required to work with the pupils at the school.  Members of staff who use their own cars or company cars to transport pupils complete an online assessment of their driving skills. Senior leaders make sure that there are well-considered procedures in place for staff transporting pupils.  School staff accompany pupils attending alternative provision.  All staff complete lifeguard, first aid, defibrillator and ligature training prior to appointment. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has an effective risk assessment policy in place. This is reviewed on an annual basis.  Staff make sure that they are vigilant at all times. All staff, including administrative staff, receive comprehensive training so that they understand the needs of the pupils

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Main inspection findings

who attend the school. This knowledge helps staff to be alert to the risks associated with individual pupils.  Staff make sure that every pupil has an individual risk assessment which is kept up to date. This is shared with all staff who work with the pupil.  The principal has reviewed patterns and trends for incidents where restrictive physical intervention is used. Moreover, staff review all incidents on a daily basis. Staff reflect on the behaviours leading up to the incident and the way in which they managed the incident. Where there are any lessons to be learned, staff ensure that they incorporate these into their practice with immediate effect. Risk assessments are updated on a weekly basis, at least, in response to staff discussions. Consequently, the number of incidents where restrictive physical intervention is used has reduced significantly.  Staff consider the risks associated with any off-site visits and plan accordingly.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has plans in place for their response in the event of any pupil absconding who is identified to be at risk of such behaviour. These plans are adapted to take into account the different vulnerabilities of the pupils.  The school premises are well maintained and appropriate risk assessments are in place for facilities such as the swimming pool, ponds and gardens. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school publishes a number of its policies on its website, including safeguarding, health and safety and whistleblowing. All the required information is provided. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Senior leaders and managers have ensured that the school meets all of the independent school standards that were covered in the scope of this inspection and that pupils’ well-being is promoted.  The principal has taken steps to ensure that policies and procedures for safeguarding,

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Main inspection findings

behaviour, risk assessments and deployment of staff comply with independent school standards.  The proprietor quality-assures the work of the school through regular visits. As part of these visits, the proprietor meets with staff and pupils. The principal provides a comprehensive report at the termly governors’ meetings. This report summarises the school’s performance in relation to key indicators determined by the proprietor.  Staff who spoke to the inspector have confidence in their leaders and managers. Staff feel well supported to do their jobs and confident to speak up if they have any concerns.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Type of school Independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 1

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School details

Email address enquiries@highpeakschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 22–24 March 2016

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Information about this school

 High Peak is an independent special day school for boys and girls between the ages of seven and 18 years. Nearly all pupils have social, emotional or mental health difficulties, and many have additional learning needs, such as communication difficulties or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  Nearly all pupils have statements of special educational needs or education, health and care plans. Most pupils have either been assessed or are being treated by the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS).  The school opened in October 2015 with two pupils. There are now 34 pupils on roll, aged between seven and 18 years, with more boys than girls.  Pupils typically join the school in key stage 2 or key stage 3.  The school aims to ‘overcome the disadvantaged start that many young people have received through highly intensive programmes of care and education in the hope that they become more resilient in their everyday approach to life and learning’.

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Information about this school

 Pupils come from the local area and adjoining local authority areas. All are placed at the school by their local authorities.  The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was commissioned by the DfE.  The DfE requested that the inspector reported on independent school standards in respect of safeguarding, behaviour, risk assessments and leadership and management.  The inspector toured the school accompanied by the principal.  The inspector visited lessons in classrooms, the swimming pool and gymnasium.  The inspector spoke formally to two groups of pupils and a group of staff. She also considered parental responses to a survey carried out by the school.  The inspector scrutinised a range of school documents and checked the school’s website.  She held discussions with the principal, head of pastoral care and assistant principal.  The inspector spoke by telephone with representatives of the proprietor and a placing local authority.

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Inspection team

Pippa Jackson Maitland, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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