Claremont School

School material change inspection report

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Claremont School Baldslow, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN37 7PW

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7  Leaders promote a culture of safeguarding well. The safeguarding policy is compliant with the most recent government guidance and legislation.  Leaders forecast that should the material change be approved, there would be more pupils on roll from other countries. Accordingly, an assistant headteacher has been appointed to liaise with parents of pupils from overseas.  Leaders ensure that communication about safeguarding is effective. Leaders have recently developed a computerised information system that will allow staff to record any concerns about pupils. As a result, leaders report that there is increased efficiency around safeguarding and welfare matters.  Each pupil has a tutor and belongs to a house. Regular meetings are held between tutors, heads of house and the deputy headteacher to review individual pupils’ well- being and take action if needed. Staff contact pupils’ parents regularly. Pupils are

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Main inspection findings

cared for well.  The designated safeguarding leads and senior staff have received up-to-date training so that they are effective in their roles. Paragraph 11  The comprehensive health and safety policy is implemented well. Leaders ensure that safety records regarding the maintenance of buildings and the site are reviewed daily. Records show a prompt resolution of safety issues. Paragraph 12  Leaders make sure that the school complies with regulations associated with fire safety. A log of checks of maintenance of fire appliances, weekly tests and fire drills is kept up to date. The leaders use an independent fire advisory body to conduct regular audits of the buildings and fire safety procedures. Paragraph 14  There are approximately 14 pupils in each class. Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities have one-to-one support, small group and larger class tuition. Leaders do not plan to increase average class size.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders ensure that break and lunchtimes are supervised well. Pupils have access to safe, outdoor areas. A number of clubs operate during the lunch break. Leaders plan to increase supervision at break and lunchtimes should the material change be approved. Paragraph 16  Leaders have developed an effective risk assessment policy. Records show that staff understand differing levels of risk and have taken actions to minimise it. Trip leaders consider the risks associated with school trips and visits. Senior leaders also provide extra checks.  All the requirements that were checked are likely to continue to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18, 19, 20 ,21  Leaders carry out statutory checks to ensure that staff employed at the school are suitable to work with children. These checks are recorded in detail in a single central

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Main inspection findings

record.  The school does not employ supply staff. Should a member of staff be absent there is capacity to cover that member of the staff within the school. The school intends to employ another 18 members of staff, should the material change be approved. Leaders say the increase in staff numbers will enable internal cover of absent staff to continue.  The school has carried out all checks required for the director of the school.  All the requirements are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31  School leaders expect the vast majority of increased numbers of pupils to be in the senior school, including the sixth form.  The school has two sites. The pre-preparatory, preparatory school and nursery school are on the original school site. The senior school and sixth form are situated on a

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Main inspection findings

second site, approximately eight miles away. Both sites are in rural settings, with appropriate safety measures, such as restricted access to visitors, in place.  The pre-preparatory, preparatory and nursery site has extensive grounds. Outdoor play areas are provided for all stages. Sports facilities include a swimming pool, sports hall and a number of sports pitches. A forest area provides outdoor learning. The school site provides a rich learning environment.  The senior school site also has extensive, high-quality sports facilities. Facilities include a recently built sports hall and viewing gallery, a swimming pool, gymnasium with a range of fitness equipment, and an artificial turf sports pitch.  Specialist areas on the senior school site include: a theatre, science laboratories, a technology workshop, art rooms, a photography studio and music suites.  The increase in numbers proposed will be adequately accommodated in existing

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Main inspection findings

buildings with sufficient space and specialist rooms available. Many of the rooms are not currently used to capacity, thereby allowing for the planned growth in pupil numbers.  Leaders plan to demolish an area of the senior school site, currently accommodating toilets and two classrooms. Proposed plans have been approved for an additional nine classrooms and updated toilet facilities on the senior school site.  The sixth-form centre has ample space for the proposed increase in student numbers. The purpose-built centre provides private study rooms, classrooms and social space for sixth-form students.  All teaching areas, on both sites, have access to toilet facilities, which are adequate for the proposed increase in numbers. Toilets have hot and cold running water at an appropriate temperature. On both sites, the school complies with all areas of premises requirements, such as providing showers and changing facilities, a medical room with

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Main inspection findings

hot and cold water and a bed. Suitable drinking water sources are provided.  All the requirements are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32  The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website.  All the requirements that were checked are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Leaders have ensured that the school is compliant with the independent school standards relevant to the proposed material change.  The director has ensured that the principal has excellent leadership skills and knowledge. The principal, deputy headteacher and headteacher of the preparatory and nursery schools form a strong leadership team, determined to provide a very successful school.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have considered how a further 190 pupils may affect procedures to keep pupils safe. Leaders systematically review school policies and procedures. Leadership capacity has been increased. A new assistant headteacher has been appointed. Middle leaders, including heads of department, have been provided with extra support and training in preparation for larger numbers of pupils.  Leaders have carried out a full review of school buildings, staffing and facilities. They have already designed and received planning permission for a building that will increase capacity at the senior school. Leaders have plans for recruitment of at least another 18 members of staff. Leaders have prepared the school well for the possible increase in pupil numbers.  School leaders have ensured that a culture of safeguarding pervades the school. The school’s safeguarding policies and strong practice meet requirements well.

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Main inspection findings

 All the requirements are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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 boarding school

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School Details

Proprietor Claremont School (St Leonards) Ltd

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School Details

Annual fees (day pupils) £6,600 (pre-preparatory, Reception) £7,800 (pre-preparatory, Years 1 and 2) £10,200 (preparatory school, Year 3) £12,150 (preparatory school, Year 4 to 8) £16,650 (senior school) £16,800 (sixth form) Telephone number 01424 751555

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School Details

Website http://www.claremontschool.co.uk/

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School Details

Email address enquiries@claremontschool.co.uk

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School Details

Date of previous standard inspection 26–29 April 2016

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 1 to 19 1 to 19 1 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 637 800 800

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 588 800

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 96 (nursery) 96 (nursery)

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 155 200

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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 4 5

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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 3 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 76 93

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 45 45

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 10 10

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Information about this school

 Claremont School is a non-selective, independent, co-educational school for pupils aged from one to 18 years.  The school was founded in 1925, as a nursery and preparatory school.  In 2001, a senior school was opened at another site in Bodiam, about eight miles away. The school also owns a study centre in north-east France.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  A small proportion of pupils speak English as an additional language. A very small number of pupils have education, health and care plans.

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Information about this inspection

 This was a material change inspection. The school has requested to increase the number of pupils on roll from 610 to 800 pupils.  Meetings were held with the director of Claremont School (St Leonards) Ltd, the principal who is also headteacher of the senior school, the deputy headteacher of the senior school and the headteacher of preparatory and nursery.  Discussions were held with an assistant headteacher (overseas pupils) and an administration member of staff.  The inspector looked at a number of school documents, including documents relating to keeping pupils safe.  The inspector looked at the website and information provided to parents.  The inspector toured both school sites with the principal and the headteacher of preparatory and nursery. During this time, pupils were observed in lessons.  The inspector observed pupils during the lunch period at the senior school.

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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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