Horatio House Independent School

School material change inspection report

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Horatio House Independent School Horatio House, Southtown Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 0JR

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Overall outcome The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), (7b)  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on its website. It includes all the required up-to-date guidance and information. It takes into account the updated ‘Keeping children safe in education’ 2016 document. Paragraph 11  The written health and safety policy is personalised and appropriate. The necessary safety checks are made on electrical equipment. The new premises are generally suitably maintained. Leaders are diligent in meeting their legal obligations in relation to health and safety. Paragraph 12  Arrangements for fire safety meet requirements.  The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  There is suitable signage to fire exits in classrooms and corridors enabling a swift exit should a fire occur.  Fire extinguishers were inspected and certified in December 2016, and are located

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Main inspection findings

according to the evacuation plan maps.  Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service assessed the condition of the new premises in March 2017. The officer who carried out the inspection had no major concerns about the school’s fire prevention arrangements. However, leaders have been issued with a list of recommendations, many of which have already been carried out. Other recommendations, such as carrying out an evacuation drill will take place at the earliest opportunity.  The proprietor will maintain a log of routine emergency lighting testing and fire alarm tests on the new premises at the required intervals, to ensure the health and safety of pupils. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  There is a written risk assessment policy and plan, with appropriate action taken to reduce risks that are identified.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met by the school if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve the implementation

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Main inspection findings

of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 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(2)(f), 18(3) Paragraph 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) Paragraph 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), 21(3)(a)(viii), 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)  The single central record of checks to ensure staff’s suitability to work with children currently meets requirements.  The proprietor ensures that the necessary checks on the background of staff and their suitability to work with children are made.  All teaching staff appointed since 2006 have been checked to see if they are subject

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Main inspection findings

of a teacher prohibition order made by the National College for Teaching and Learning.  There are currently no supply staff at the school. The proprietor is aware of the necessary checks if they required supply from an employment business.  Those named by the chair of the proprietorial body as proprietors have had all the necessary checks made on their suitability to work with children.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23 (1)(a), 23 (1)(b), 23 (1)(c)  There are separate toilet facilities for male and female pupils, and adults. Washing facilities have hot and cold running water. The hot water is at a safe temperature.  Suitable male and female changing rooms of appropriate size and showers are provided.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c), 24(2)  The school has a medical room that is an appropriate place for the medical examination and treatment of pupils. It has a bed, appropriate first aid equipment to treat minor injuries and a suitable facility for washing. It is near to a toilet facility. The proprietor is considering moving the medical room so it is even closer to a toilet facility. Paragraph 25  The new premises are of a suitable quality to meet the welfare and educational needs for the school’s current registration.  The majority of classrooms provide a warm and welcoming environment. All rooms contain posters with pictures of the appointed first aiders, the designated safeguarding leads and where to find them.  The building has been out of use for about 18 months. Some of the toilets and changing rooms required a deep clean to be brought up to a reasonable standard. The inspector pointed this out during the inspection, and cleaners set to work on the

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Main inspection findings

task immediately.  The outside surroundings are in the process of being tidied. Overgrown bushes and vegetation are being trimmed in order to make it a more welcoming environment. Paragraph 26  The acoustic conditions and sound insulation of each room are suitable for the range of activities taking place in them. Paragraph 27, 27(a), 27(b)  External lighting is provided so that people can enter and leave the building safely.  The teaching areas are large and have plenty of natural light. Corridors have sufficient lighting, and have storage areas. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Cold water supplies that are suitable for drinking are clearly marked, and are readily accessible at all times. These are located in a separate area to the toilet facilities.  The temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 There is a secure outside play area of a suitable size with seating.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has a suitable accessibility plan for the new school’s premises and accommodation. It will be fully reviewed and updated after the first half term.  School leaders have ensured that the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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 compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Proprietor Great Yarmouth Community Trust

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School details

Email address horatio-house@gyctrust.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 41 Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 30 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 11 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 41 Not applicable

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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 Not applicable

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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 11 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4.2 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 3 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 11 Not applicable

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Information about this school

 Horatio House is an independent school situated on the outskirts of a rural village.  The school is registered for up to 64 pupils, aged between 11 and 16 years.  Horatio House was registered as an independent school in August 2016, but did not start to operate until November 2016, having been a specialist centre in alternative educational provision since 2009.  In September 2015, Horatio House joined the family of services provided by the Great Yarmouth Community Trust. The trust is now the proprietor of Horatio House Independent School.  Horatio House was primarily set up to provide solutions for pupils whose needs are difficult to accommodate, or which could not be met in mainstream education. They are often vulnerable to poor attendance, disaffection, and fixed-term or permanent exclusion.  The school aims to provide a dynamic and comprehensive curriculum, supporting young people to believe in themselves, enabling them to reach their full potential.

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Information about this school

Pupils leave with a range of qualifications and go on to college, a job or an apprenticeship.  It is a provider of outreach services to schools and academies, supporting vulnerable pupils in their mainstream school setting.  The school offers an assessment centre service to Children’s Services Admissions and Great Yarmouth schools, supporting a DfE approved Fair Access Protocol.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out by Ofsted at the request of the Department for Education under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The school applied for a material change following a move to new premises.  The address of the proposed new premises is: Lound Campus, Church Lane, Lound, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 5LL. The premises are owned by Lowestoft College and comprise a two-storey purpose-built school accommodation.  The school has already moved equipment to the new site and, although pupils have not yet been educated at the new site, they will be there for the start of the new term in two days’ time. It was confirmed by telephone with the DfE that this is permissible.  This inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The inspector held meetings with the proprietor and the centre manager.  A telephone discussion took place with the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service in relation

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Information about this inspection

to the Fire Safety Order and the inspection of the new school premises.  The inspector audited the premises and accommodation against the independent school standards.  The inspector scrutinised various school documents and policies, including those related to safeguarding pupils, health and safety, fire checks, accessibility, risk assessments, the evacuation plan and the maintenance of the building and appliances.  The inspector scrutinised the single central register of employment checks for staff and proprietors, staff files and the code of conduct policy.

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Inspection team

Stefanie Lipinski-Barltrop, 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

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Inspection team

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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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