Browns School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Hawstead Lane, Chelsfield, Orpington, Kent BR6 7PH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 3 and 3(g)  At the previous full inspection in July 2017, the school only assessed pupils’ skills in English and mathematics. As a result, teachers did not have a tangible understanding of pupils’ starting points in any other subject. Leaders said that they were intending to implement a new assessment system. The school’s action plan confirmed the intention to introduce an ‘evidence-based assessment framework across all subjects’ from September 2017.  This inspection found that the new assessment system was implemented on time. It assesses pupils’ skills and progress in art, computing, design and technology, English, mathematics, physical education, history and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding. Leaders facilitated training for all teachers on the new system and pupils’ starting points were identified by the end of September 2017. Leaders have analysed the

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Main inspection findings

first round of assessment information and teachers have started to use this information to inform their lesson planning.  Leaders have ensured that the previously unmet standard is now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b) and 25  At the time of the previous inspection, the school was not compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 because the arrangements for fire safety were inadequate. As a result, a number of requirements relating to safety and risk assessment were not met. The school had no centralised fire alarm system, no emergency call points and, until the final day of the inspection, had no formal fire risk assessment completed by a fire safety professional in place. The risk assessment completed during the previous inspection confirmed many areas of non-compliance, including in relation to signage, fire doors, fire exits, fire alarms and logs of checks.

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Main inspection findings

 This inspection confirms that the proposed actions outlined in the school’s action plan have all been completed. The arrangements for fire safety now meet legal requirements. The school has: a new centralised fire alarm system; emergency call points in all required areas; new emergency lighting, fire doors and signage throughout the premises; and up-to-date logs of all the required checks.  Leaders have ensured that the previously unmet standards are now met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) and 23(1)(c)  At the time of the previous inspection, there was no shower facility for pupils aged 11 years or over who receive physical education.  This inspection confirmed that the school now has a new shower and changing facility, located next to the pupils’ toilets.  Leaders have ensured that the previously unmet standard is now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders and the new governing body have ensured that the school is now compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Act 2005 and the previously unmet independent school standards. They have taken swift and effective action to remedy the concerns identified in July 2017.  The previous inspection also considered the school’s application to increase its number on roll to 70 and to extend its age range to six to 18. At the time, it was judged that the premises could comfortably accommodate up to 70 pupils and the school had appropriately prepared the curriculum to meet the needs of students aged 16 to 18. However, in the light of the previous inspection’s findings, the requested material change was not recommended at the time.  This inspection confirms that the independent school standards are now likely to continue to be met if the requested material change to the school’s registration is

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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 were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 Ensure that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress (paragraphs 3 and 3(g)).  Ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school (paragraphs 7 and 7(a)).  Ensure that the relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy (paragraph 11).  Ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (paragraph 12).  Ensure that the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by ensuring that a written risk assessment policy is drawn up and effectively implemented and appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified (paragraphs 16, 16(a) and 16(b)).  Ensure that showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

school year who receive physical education (paragraphs 23(1) and 23(1)(c)).  Ensure that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured (paragraph 25).  Ensure that the proprietor and persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently, they fulfil their responsibilities effectively and actively promote the well-being of pupils (paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)).

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 11–13 July 2017

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Information about this school

 Brown’s School is an independent special day school for pupils who have education, health and care plans related to their autistic spectrum disorder and/or specific learning difficulties. Some pupils also have additional needs such as social, emotional and mental health difficulties and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. All pupils attend full time.  Almost all pupils are placed and funded by a small number of local authorities.  The school’s last full standard inspection was in July 2017, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate.  Additional farm workshops are made available to pupils at The Ravensbourne School, Hayes Lane, Bromley BR2 9EH on a weekly basis. The school makes no other use of off- site training or additional premises.

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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 monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This inspection was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection and was conducted without notice.  In July 2017, a full standard inspection of the school judged it to be inadequate. The school submitted an action plan. Ofsted’s review of this plan in December 2017 judged it to be acceptable. As a result, the Department for Education wrote to the school in January 2018 to confirm that the action plan had been accepted.  The inspection focused on the school’s progress against specific requirements within Parts 1, 3, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector conducted the inspection in collaboration with the headteacher, deputy

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Information about this inspection

headteachers, business manager, pastoral care manager and bursar.  The inspector toured the premises and scrutinised relevant documentation related to assessment, safeguarding and fire safety.  The inspector considered the 14 responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Parent View.

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Inspection team

James Waite, 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

Parent View 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.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visitwww.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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

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