Heathside Preparatory School

Progress monitoring inspection boarding report

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Heathside Preparatory School 16 New End, Hampstead, London NW3 1JA

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Context of the inspection

Ofsted conducted this inspection following receipt of information expressing concerns over boarding practice within the school. The inspection was conducted under Section 87 of the Children Act 1989.

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Summary of concerns

Management of the boarding provision is disorganised and unsafe. The head of boarding left the school in May 2018. The headteacher is currently working in partnership with a new interim head of boarding. The plan is for the interim head of boarding to assume management responsibility in September 2018. Neither staff member has any prior experience of managing a boarding provision.

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Summary of concerns

The boarding provision lacks an established rota to evidence the specific responsibilities of staff members on particular evenings. Two boarders reported no supervision in the girls section of the boarding house on one occasion in May 2018. These concerns led to these boarders feeling confused and unsafe.

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Summary of concerns

Managers do not follow safeguarding procedures appropriately. A recent allegation by a boarder was internally investigated without the independent oversight of the designated officer from the local authority. The school’s record of this incident and other complaints lacked detail, and in some cases there was no formal record at all.

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Summary of concerns

Staff are fearful of reporting concerns to managers. The school does not have a whistleblowing policy that is present on the school’s website and known to teachers. Records of management meetings were not accessible during this inspection.

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Summary of concerns

Despite the concerns, boarders indicate that they are happy and benefit from the experience. One boarder commented, ‘I really like it here, there is lots to do.’ Some parents, who point to the progress made by the children, echo this feedback. However, they also comment on the confusion resulting from the departure of the head of boarding. Inspection Report Heathside Preparatory School, 06/06/2018 Page 2 of 4

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schools:

 11.1 The school ensures that: arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  13.4 The school’s leadership and management consistently fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the standards are met.  13.5 The school’s leadership and management and governance actively promote the wellbeing of pupils.  13.7 The school follows and maintains the policies and documents described in Appendix 1.  13.8 The records specified in Appendix 2 are maintained and monitored by the school and action taken as appropriate.  18.2 The school’s written record of complaints identifies those complaints relating to boarding provision, and action taken by the school as a result of those complaints (regardless of whether they are upheld). Inspection Report Heathside Preparatory School, 06/06/2018 Page 3 of 4

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number

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.

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number

Type of school Boarding school Number of boarders on roll 15 Gender of boarders Male and female Age range of boarders 10 to 15 Headteacher Melissa Remus Elliot

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inspection

Telephone number 020 3058 4011 Email address info@heathsideprep.co.uk

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Inspection team

Barnaby Dowell Lead social care inspector Lee Kirwin Social care inspector Inspection Report Heathside Preparatory School, 06/06/2018 Page 4 of 4 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 .

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Inspection team

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 visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.co.uk/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, 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.

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Inspection team

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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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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.gov.co.uk/ofsted

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