Pebble Brook School

Progress monitoring inspection residential special school report

p.1

Pebble Brook School Pebble Brook School, Churchill Avenue, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP21 8LZ

p.1

Context of the inspection

This monitoring visit was undertaken following a judgement of inadequate which was given at the full welfare inspection carried out from 14 to 16 March 2017. The progress made in meeting the national minimum standards for residential special schools was assessed.

p.1

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

At the full inspection in March 2017, 11 national minimum standards were judged to be not met. Many of these related to the failure of the local authority to maintain the accommodation. The local authority is launching a consultation on the closure of boarding in September 2017, with a decision expected in February 2018. The school leaders have taken action to meet seven of the identified shortfalls. Four remain unmet. Action in addressing three will be dependent on the outcome of the consultation because of the significant expenditure that is necessary, and these breaches are repeated in this report.

p.1

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The leadership team accepted the shortfalls identified at the last inspection and drew up a realistic action plan in the light of the planned consultation.

p.1

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Immediate action taken by leaders, managers and the governors focused on the identified health and safety shortfalls. The school commissioned an electrical inspection report and a fire risk assessment. Both reports made a number of recommendations. Those highlighted as urgent have been completed. As a result, the potential of hazards and risks to children has been reduced. The business manager is seeking clarification on the conflicting ratings given to the fire escape route recommendation in the fire risk assessment. The leaders and managers will make a decision on those recommendations identified as desirable, but not essential, when it is known whether or not the school will continue to offer boarding.

p.1

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The staff team has improved the appearance of some aspects of the boarding accommodation. It has achieved this by a thorough cleaning of the premises and cosmetic painting in some areas. The kitchen/dining area now has a new table and chairs so that children and staff can eat breakfast together. The kitchen has been given a little more storage space and staff are vigilant in ensuring that items are put away safely. Posters for children on display in the residential accommodation have been updated and provide the correct information. ‘Do not disturb’ signs have been removed from the staff sleep-in room Inspection Report Pebble Brook School, 11/07/2017 Page 2 of 6 doors.

p.1

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The leadership team has arranged that during the summer holidays flooring will be replaced where necessary, the shower room repainted and baths re-enamelled. They will not make a decision on the repair and/or replacement of showers, or improvements to the water supply pipes until the outcome of the consultation is known. In the interim, the children’s privacy in the showers is maintained by children using the showers one at a time. The water in the boarding accommodation is not drinking water but is suitable for other domestic use. Children are fully aware of this and use bottled water from the easily accessible stock.

p.2

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The leadership team manages safeguarding concerns and allegations effectively. All allegations are referred to the relevant person in the local authority, either the designated officer, the multi-agency safeguarding hub or the children’s social care team. This provides for the protection of children.

p.2

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

In response to the last inspection, the specialist behavioural support team produced guidelines for staff on the completion of the electronic recording system and also provided training in its use. The team monitors the physical intervention records to good effect. The team follows up with staff to explore and provide challenge about the use of language and so gain clarification about the incident, and any subsequent update is recorded. Since the last inspection, the overall number of incidents has reduced and there have been none where a young person has had to be lowered to the floor.

p.2

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Staff working in the residential provision now receive formal supervision. The plans to enrol unqualified staff on the required qualifying course have been put on hold pending the outcome of the consultation. One member of staff is awaiting feedback from the current assessor. The qualifying course has been delayed by a succession of assessors over the past two years.

p.2

Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The headteacher has reviewed the format of the governing body visit reports. The most recent report highlights the deficiencies of the accommodation and the need for a decision on the future of boarding. It remains the case that governors’ checks on school record- keeping, for example in relation to incidents, do not show that these have been scrutinised or evaluated effectively. The headteacher and deputy, as governors, have also undertaken some monitoring visits. This does not provide sufficient independent oversight. The system for bringing forward recommendations or highlighting immediate actions to the necessary people is unclear.

p.2

(residential special) schools

 NMS 5.3. Suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for children, which are reasonably accessible from the sleeping accommodation. Separate toilet facilities are provided for boys and girls unless each toilet facility is provided in a separate Inspection Report Pebble Brook School, 11/07/2017 Page 3 of 6 room intended for use by one pupil at a time, the door to which is capable of being secured from inside. Toilet and washing facilities provide appropriate privacy for children.

p.2

(residential special) schools

 NMS 5.4. Accommodation is appropriately lit, heated and ventilated, cleaned and maintained, and reasonable adjustments are made to provide adequate accessible accommodation for any children with restricted mobility. The accommodation contains suitable specialist facilities to support children whose disabilities require them.

p.3

(residential special) schools

 NMS 19.2. All existing care staff have attained a relevant minimum level 3 qualification or have qualifications which demonstrate the same competencies. All new staff engaged from the commencement of these standards hold these qualifications or begin working towards them within three months of confirmation of employment.

p.3

(residential special) schools

 NMS 20.2. Most monitoring visits are carried out unannounced. They include: checks on the school’s records of attendance, complaints, sanctions, use of reasonable force, risk assessments, and, where they exist, individual care plans for children; evaluation of the effectiveness of the care provided to children and whether they are safeguarded; assessment of the physical condition of the building, furniture and equipment of the school; and opportunities for any child or member of staff who wishes to meet the visitor (in private if they wish). Inspection Report Pebble Brook School, 11/07/2017 Page 4 of 6

p.3

Inspection team

Maire Atherton Lead social care inspector

p.4

Information about this school

Pebble Brook School is a maintained residential special school for 118 children of either sex aged 11 to 19 years, eight of whom reside at the school during the week. Two are ex-pupils who attend another school in Buckinghamshire. Boarding is provided in one building, with separate wings for boys and girls. The school also provides an extended day for pupils who join in the evening activities for boarders. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs. The school provides boarding and education for children with communication and interaction needs, including speech, language and communication needs, autistic spectrum disorder and moderate learning difficulties. Some children may have a sensory impairment. The school is situated close to the centre of Aylesbury. Inspection Report Pebble Brook School, 11/07/2017 Page 5 of 6

p.4

School details

Unique reference number 110576 Social care unique reference number SC023096 DfE registration number 825/7010

p.5

School details

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 boarding schools.

p.5

School details

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

p.5

School details

Type of school Residential special school Number of boarders on roll 8 Gender of boarders Mixed Age range of boarders 11 to 19 Headteacher David Miller Date of previous boarding inspection 14-16 March 2017 Telephone number 01296 415 761 Email address office@pebblebrookschool.com Inspection Report Pebble Brook School, 11/07/2017 Page 6 of 6 guidance ‘Raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.co.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 .

p.5

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.

p.6

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.co.uk/ofsted

p.6

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 and 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.

p.6

School details

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.

p.6

School details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

School details

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.

p.6

School details

To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.6

School details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.co.uk/ofsted

p.6