Vranch House School

School material change inspection report

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Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication Vranch House School Pinhoe Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 8AD

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2  Leaders have developed a detailed curriculum policy, which sets out clear incremental steps in pupils’ communication and cognitive development, their experience and their independence. Through this, pupils are able to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of a wide range of topics, such as local history, the use of money and comprehension of time. The proprietor intends to add an additional class every second year as the current cohort of pupils progress through the school and into the proposed sixth form. The plans are suitably detailed at this stage. They include the drawing up of 16 to 19 study programmes, in order to demonstrate that the school has the capacity to provide education for pupils aged 13 to 19.  While the school does not currently have any pupils who speak English as an additional language, it has in the past. As a result, staff are suitably trained and

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Main inspection findings

experienced to adapt learning to accommodate this need, should it arise.  Pupils’ personal, social and health education is a high priority for the school. Leaders have plans to build on the work they currently do with younger pupils for the proposed additional year groups. There is a particular focus on increasing independent personal care and administration of medication, where possible.  Leaders have made initial plans for the provision of impartial careers guidance that will encourage pupils to fulfil their potential. Leaders are aware there is further work to be done to ensure that the school’s chosen adviser has sufficient understanding of the pupils’ complex needs and can communicate with them effectively.  If the plans are implemented effectively, the standard is likely to be met. Paragraph 3  Schemes of work and weekly plans show a carefully tailored programme of activities for each pupil. They build on the skills, knowledge and understanding that pupils have

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Main inspection findings

already acquired.  The curriculum is suitably wide-ranging and challenging for each pupil to work towards achieving their potential. The proposals for adaptations to the teaching spaces, such as the ‘living skills’ room, show how resources will be used effectively in order to develop the independent or supported living skills for older pupils and students in the sixth form.  The curriculum includes opportunities for the promotion of equality of opportunity and fundamental British values, for example through a democratic election when choosing the termly focus for topic work.  If the plans are implemented effectively, they are likely to meet the standard. Paragraph 4  The head of education has developed a detailed assessment tracking system to record the small steps pupils make as they progress through the school. Plans show how this will be extended to older pupils and to students in the proposed sixth form.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders plan to use a programme of externally accredited qualifications to provide additional assessment frameworks for the oldest pupils. These will complement the individual learning plans.  If the plans are implemented effectively, they are likely to meet the standard. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  The school’s ethos and values are broadly Christian. Pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other faiths through their topic work and celebrations of festivals, such as Easter and Diwali. Their cultural awareness is heightened through these studies, such as during Black history month. Assemblies are planned to explore events in the news and to develop pupils’ community spirit.  Pupils and students in the sixth form will be able to consider local issues, meet local politicians and learn about the monarchy.  If the plans are implemented effectively, they are likely to meet the standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7  School leaders have a good understanding of their responsibilities with regard to keeping children safe. Staff receive regular updates on safeguarding issues which are specific to the needs of Vranch House pupils. Leaders are keenly aware of the risks that pupils and their families may face as a result of extremism or radicalisation and have taken action to ensure that pupils and their families know how to stay safe. The trustees place particular emphasis on keeping pupils and their families safe and give this aspect of their work the highest priority.  The school’s safeguarding policy has regard to the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State, ‘Keeping children safe in education’, September 2016. It is published on the school’s website. Leaders know that there is a need to supplement this policy to demonstrate how pupils with communication difficulties can share their

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Main inspection findings

concerns or experiences.  The standard is likely to be met. Paragraph 11  The school has a detailed health and safety policy, which gives suitable attention to the specific needs of the pupils, such as for those with a tracheostomy, or those fed through a gastrostomy feeding tube.  Plans to modify the new accommodation have considered the health and safety of pupils and staff, for example by having a showering facility in the toilets and by adding vision panels to classroom doors.  There are suitable means of escape. Adult supervision arrangements to protect pupils are appropriate.  If the plans are implemented effectively, they are likely to meet the standard. Paragraph 12  The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire doors are maintained well, means of escape are clear and equipment, such as fire extinguishers and escape slides, are regularly maintained.

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Main inspection findings

 The standard is likely to be met. Paragraph 14  The proposed supervision ratios are high. Due to pupils’ needs, they require adult support or intervention available at all times and the ratios proposed are sufficient to facilitate this.  Additional mealtime assistants are to be recruited to ensure that there is sufficient cover at break and lunchtimes.  If the plans are implemented effectively, they are likely to meet the standard. Paragraph 16  The school has a comprehensive risk assessment policy. Risk assessments are in place for individual pupils, the environment and activities. They are specific to the individual pupil or pupils involved. Specialist staff, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists, review these with the class teacher on a regular basis.  Where controls are needed to ensure pupils’ safety, suitable measures have been developed. The mechanisms that are in place for current pupils will be extended to

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Main inspection findings

the older pupils.  The standard is likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The board of trustees, which acts as the proprietor, has ensured that plans are well developed to ensure that the school can provide education for older pupils.  There is a strong partnership with those commissioning places at the school and the rationale for extending the age range has been well thought through.  Trustees and leaders are well aware of the independent school standards and have made every effort to ensure full compliance. The plans for the addition of pupils aged 13 to 19 have taken into consideration the regulations and seek to actively promote pupils’ well-being.  If the plans are implemented effectively, the standard is likely to be met.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Devon and Exeter Spastics Society

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 7–9 July 2015

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 2 to 12 2 to 18 2 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 24 33 33

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 21 33

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities 24 33

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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 24 33

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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 24 33

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 5 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Nil Nil

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 11 19

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Information about this school

 Vranch House School is currently an independent day school for boys and girls aged two to 12 years.  The school is owned and operated by a registered charity, directed and managed by a board of trustees. A governing body oversees the operation of the education services.  The school provides education for pupils with physical difficulties and/or severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties. Many pupils have a visual impairment.  All pupils have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan.  There are currently 24 pupils on the school roll, aged between three and 12 years of age.  The school does not currently use any alternative providers.  No pupils are in the care of their local authority and none speak English as an additional language.  The school was last inspected in July 2015, when it was judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to consider whether the school had the capacity to provide education for pupils aged 13 to 19.  During the inspection, the inspector met with the chief executive, senior leaders and the chairperson of the board of trustees to discuss the proposed changes. He reviewed a range of the school’s documentation, including policies and procedures, risk assessments and other records maintained by school staff. He also looked at the school’s assessment information system and visited the proposed accommodation.  The lead inspector also reviewed material available on the school’s website.  A letter from the local authority was also considered.

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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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Inspection team

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