Oak House School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  At the previous inspection, the school’s safeguarding policy did not reflect the latest statutory guidance, the single central record of vetting checks did not meet requirements, and leaders had not completed the appropriate level of training within the required time frames.  This inspection confirmed the appropriate actions identified in the school’s acceptable action plan have been realised.  The school’s safeguarding policy and procedures now reflect the latest statutory guidance. All the required vetting checks on staff are now undertaken and recorded accurately on the single central register. Leaders with responsibility for safeguarding have now had the required training and are suitably equipped to ensure that pupils are kept as safe from harm as possible.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(b), 21(1), 21(3) and 21(3)(a)(iii)  At the time of the previous inspection, the single central register of vetting checks did not meet statutory requirements. There were omissions and mistakes and some checks were not recorded. Specifically, prohibition from teaching checks had not been undertaken, nor had checks on those barred from managing independent schools.  This inspection confirmed the appropriate actions identified in the school’s acceptable action plan have been realised.  All the required vetting checks have now been completed and accurately recorded on the school’s compliant single central register.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  At the previous inspection, leaders were unaware of some of the statutory safeguarding

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Main inspection findings

requirements. As a result, some of the independent school standards were not met.  This inspection confirmed that leaders have taken suitable action to ensure that the arrangements to safeguard pupils at Oak House School are now effective.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are now met.

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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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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that: – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if: – 18(2)(b) no such person carries out work, or intends to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is: – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether: – 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school: – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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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

Date of previous standard inspection 10–12 October 2017

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Information about this school

 Oak House School is an independent special school. It caters for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The school’s previous full standard inspection was in October 2017. This was the school’s first full inspection following its registration with the Department for Education in August 2016.  The school makes no use of off-site provision.  The school does not have a website, but ensures that all information required by the independent school standards is provided in hard copy from the school’s office.

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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 not to comply with at its previous inspection.  This inspection was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection and was conducted without notice.  In October 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 judged it to be acceptable. As a result, the Department for Education wrote to the school to confirm the action plan had been accepted.  The inspection focused on the school’s progress against specific requirements within Parts 3, 4 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector conducted the inspection in collaboration with the headteacher.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector scrutinised the relevant documentation related to safeguarding.  There have been no recent 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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