Progress Arc Billinge School

School material change inspection report

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Nugent House School Carr Mill Road, Billinge, Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7TT

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date and reflects the latest statutory guidance. The policy is supported by a wide range of other policies including an equality and diversity policy, an online safety policy and a disability discrimination policy. Leaders have ensured that the safeguarding of both boys and girls is highlighted in the safeguarding policy.  The principal and her staff have undertaken safeguarding training. The principal ensures that her staff are aware of all aspects of key statutory guidance on safeguarding, such as ‘Working Together to safeguard Children’, 2015, and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, 2016. The principal has been successful in creating a culture of vigilance in the school.  The school has high-quality recruitment procedures in place to ensure the suitability of any appointed staff to work with children.

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Main inspection findings

 Members of staff have been provided with additional training linked to teaching in a mixed-sex environment. Paragraphs 11, 12  A written health and safety policy is in place and references a broad range of other safeguarding documents. Together, they provide enough detail to ensure that staff comply with relevant laws.  An annual health and safety review ensures compliance with health and safety requirements.  The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Work to check the safety of electrical installations and equipment is detailed and comprehensive. For example, portable appliance testing is undertaken on an annual basis.  Annual maintenance of firefighting equipment (such as fire extinguishers and the fire alarm) are undertaken. During the inspection, paperwork was provided to confirm that such checks have been made.  The fire risk assessment shows that the premises comply with regulations and meet

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Main inspection findings

the required standards.  Fire routes are free from clutter and visible. Clear signage is in place. Paragraphs 14, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The high staff-to-pupil ratio means that it is possible to ensure close supervision of all pupils. Leaders propose to recruit an additional member of staff to support the management of the safeguarding aspects of the material change being proposed. Leaders have ensured that the additional needs of the female pupils will be met in an effective manner.  Pupils are well supervised throughout the school day, both in the building and around the school site.  The proprietor has a risk assessment policy. Additionally, risk assessments exist for a range of other educational purposes, including curriculum and extra-curricular activities, fire risk assessments, and safeguarding of individual pupils. Leaders use their risk assessments well to identify hazards and to plan and take actions to reduce

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Main inspection findings

potential risks.  Additional risk assessments have been created to manage and support the transition of girls into the school. Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school has a website which includes the school’s most up-to-date child protection policy, along with a broad range of other safeguarding and health and safety policies and procedures which promote the welfare of pupils in school. A copy of the school’s complaints procedure is also available.  The standards in this part are like to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4)  The school has a single record which records the details of the required employment checks on staff. This is up to date and maintained in electronic form.  The school carries out thorough checks on teachers and other members of staff before appointment. No members of staff are allowed to take up their posts of employment until the checks are complete.  The standards in this part are like to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 Suitable toilet facilities are provided for the use of pupils. They are in individual cubicles provided with suitable locks. There is an adequate number both for boys and for girls.  Toilets are for the sole use of the pupils. An appropriate number of toilets are accessible to boys and girls who have physical disabilities.  The school has appropriate single-sex changing and showering facilities both for boys and for girls to use following physical education.  Provision is in place for the medical examination and treatment of pupils and for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils. Paragraphs 25, 26  The school buildings are maintained to an acceptable standard. However, some classrooms and social areas are undergoing or are planned to receive refurbishment. Additionally, the school water heating system is planned to receive an upgrade.  The proprietor has ensured that appropriate levels of soundproofing are in place

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Main inspection findings

between rooms. Paragraph 27  Classrooms are well lit and there is external lighting to ensure that the premises are safe to access and leave after dark. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Pupils have access to drinking water at all times from taps in sinks and from dispensers attached to the mains water supply. Drinking water facilities are clearly labelled.  Washing facilities are available for all pupils. Hot water of a suitable temperature is available for hand washing.  The temperature of hot water does not pose a scalding risk to users. Regular checks are carried out on water temperature. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  There is a wide range of outdoor spaces for pupils to play in. The school has extensive grounds for sporting use, including a multi-use pitch and playgrounds.  Physical education is provided in accordance with the curriculum and is suitable both

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Main inspection findings

for boys and for girls.  The standards in this part are like to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Persons with leadership and management responsibility in school demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their roles.  Leaders actively promote the welfare, health and safety of pupils. They understand how vulnerable the pupils are and, as a consequence, all leaders and staff are extremely vigilant about safeguarding.  Detailed provision is in place to support all aspects of pupils’ well-being.  The standards in this part are like to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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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

Email address nugent.house@nugentcare.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4–6 July 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 19 7 to 19 7 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 40 54 54

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 40 54

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities 40 54

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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 40 54

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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 40 54

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 19 19

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 25 26

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Information about this school

 Nugent House School opened in 1983 and is part of the Nugent organisation.  At Nugent House School, pupils in key stages 2, 3 and 4 and learners in post-16 provision study a wide range of subjects and are entered for various qualifications, including GCSEs.  The school caters for 40 pupils. All pupils have education, health and care plans. Most pupils are in the care of local authorities. The vast majority of pupils come to the school having missed significant periods of education and with poor skills in reading, writing and mathematics.  The school works with several colleges and other external training providers to arrange placements for pupils and learners in the post-16 provision.  The school was previously inspected in July 2017.

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Information about this inspection

 The material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) because the school requested to alter its provision to add female day only pupils to male boarding provision.  The DfE requested that Ofsted conduct a material inspection to report against parts 4 and 5 and paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16 and 34 of the independent school standards.  The inspector toured the premises being used by the school, accompanied by the head of school, the caretaker and the school business manager. The inspector checked the suitability of the premises against the relevant independent school standards.  The inspector scrutinised a range of school documents and policies to promote the health, well-being and safety of pupils, including the school’s safeguarding policy.  The inspector met with the principal and head of school to discuss all aspects of the material change proposal. The school business manager joined the meeting to discuss

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Information about this inspection

the school premises.  The inspector met with a teacher, a teaching assistant, the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) and the learning support mentor to discuss safeguarding and curriculum provision in relation to the material change.  The inspector examined the school’s website to ensure that proprietors are complying with the requirements to publish information. The proprietor ensures that the necessary documentation is made available to parents and carers through the website.  The inspector scrutinised the single central record.

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Inspection team

Gill Pritchard, 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

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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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