New Barn School

School material change inspection report

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Hillcrest New Barn The Long Barn, The Row, Welford Estate West and East, Welford, Berkshire RG20 8HZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7  School leaders have ensured that a suitable and up-to-date safeguarding and child- protection policy is in place and available on the school’s website. The policy is tailored closely to the needs of pupils in the school and the particular setting, while taking into account the latest guidance from the Secretary of State. Paragraph 11  The health and safety policy has been adapted to take into account the proposed new site and the number and age of the pupils who will be attending the secondary provision. Leaders have taken careful note of the potential risks and hazards that may be encountered on the new site. Paragraph 12  The school continues to take a thorough approach to fire safety, in line with regulations. The new building has been checked carefully by specialist fire safety professionals and meets all requirements. Remaining minor changes to be made will

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Main inspection findings

be completed in good time for the school’s proposed opening date. Paragraph 14  In order to cater for the planned increase in numbers of pupils in the secondary school, appropriate specialist staff have been recruited. Because the school already offers a flexible secondary curriculum, existing staff will be also be suitably deployed to teach and support the pupils on the new site. The design of the building and the outside space will enable pupils to be well supervised during timetabled lessons and breaktimes and lunchtimes. There will be no negative impact on the pupils remaining on the primary site. Their experience is likely to be enhanced because they will have more space to learn and play. Paragraph 16  The school’s risk assessments all meet requirements and take full account of the needs and vulnerabilities of the pupils in the school and any new pupils to be admitted to the new site.  Leaders have taken effective steps to ensure that pupils will be safe when walking to

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Main inspection findings

and from the new site on the local country roads. Leaders are making the most of opportunities to educate pupils about road safety and help them to manage risk well while being safely supervised. In this way, pupils will be well prepared for life beyond school. In addition, school leaders have planned for staff to undertake extra training in road safety to support pupils.  Overall risk assessments for the new site, and for the pupils who will attend or travel to the new site, are all thorough and meet requirements.  The school is likely to meet all relevant aspects of this part of the independent school standards if the material change is implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21  School leaders have ensured that all the required checks have been made for staff appointed since the last inspection. The single central register, which records all the

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Main inspection findings

checks made on the suitability of staff to work with children, is in order and well maintained.  The school is likely to meet all aspects of this part of the independent school standards if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23 and 24  Suitable modern and well-designed washing, toilet and shower facilities have been installed in the new secondary premises. The facilities meet all requirements.  A well-appointed medical room has been designed for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. The room has washing facilities and is situated near a toilet. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27 and 28  The new buildings have been well designed and are suitable as a school. Both buildings meet all requirements regarding the supply of hot and cold water, drinking water, lighting, ventilation, heating and light, including external lighting.  The new premises are clean, modern, airy and comfortable, and of a suitable size and

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Main inspection findings

design for secondary pupils. Paragraphs 29 and 31  A spacious courtyard area lies between the two proposed school buildings on the new site. This area will enable pupils to have informal, comfortable and secure recreation outside. Pupils will continue to use local sports facilities for organised physical education.  The school is likely to meet all aspects of this independent school standard if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards continue to be met and will be likely to be met if the material change is approved.  The current leadership of the school is strong and has proven experience in setting up new schools and ensuring that pupils benefit from appropriate provision, care and safety.  Leaders have carefully thought through the plans for the new site and ensured that

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Main inspection findings

the classroom spaces and facilities are suitable for secondary-aged pupils. In addition, leaders have wisely made sure that current pupils have had the opportunity to contribute to the design, furniture and decoration of the buildings and outdoor space. Many pupils have made displays for the new classroom areas and have put in some personal touches. In this way, leaders are making sure that pupils will feel safe, secure and comfortable if the material change is approved.  Meticulous oversight from those responsible for governance and the proprietorial company responsible for the school has ensured that there is sufficient capacity, skill and expertise to increase numbers in the school and prepare the new site. In addition, leadership at all levels has ensured that the relevant independent school standards are likely to be met if the provision opens for pupils of secondary age.  The school is likely to meet all aspects of this independent school standard if the

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd

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School details

Website www.hillcrestchildrensservices.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 5–7 December 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 16 6 to 16 6 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 23 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 23 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities 23 50

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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 20 50

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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 20 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 5 4

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Information about this school

 Hillcrest New Barn school caters for pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities. The school was registered by the Department for Education in January 2017. It is located on the Welford Park estate, near Newbury. The school benefits from a rural, park and forest location.  The school is registered to admit up to 25 pupils from age six to 16.  Most pupils on the school roll have social, emotional and mental health difficulties, with some having experienced severe trauma or neglect.  Leaders are seeking to make a material change to the school, accommodating primary pupils in the current site and secondary pupils in the proposed new site.  The proposed new site is located a very short distance from the current site, on the Welford Park estate, in two converted barns surrounding a large courtyard.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out with two days’ notice.  The inspection was carried out at the request of the Department for Education. The purpose of the inspection was to establish if the school would be likely to meet all the relevant independent school standards if the material change to the provision is implemented.  The Department for Education requested that the school’s arrangements for safeguarding, health and safety, and risk assessments were scrutinised in order to check that they would be likely to meet all requirements. Further checks were made on the proposed new premises, recruitment of staff and the quality and capacity of leaders to manage the material change.  Her Majesty’s Inspector met with the headteacher, senior leaders, members of the governing body and a representative from the proprietorial body. The inspector toured the current site to meet pupils and staff, and observe teaching and learning.

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Information about this inspection

She visited the proposed new site to check the facilities and the planned provision. A range of documents, policies and plans was scrutinised.

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Inspection team

Janet Pearce, lead inspector Her Majesty’s 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

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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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