Advanced Education - The Barn

The Barn – Green Corns Independent school inspection report

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DCSF registration number 354/6030 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135448 URN for registered childcare and social care SC064705 Inspection number 320968 Inspection dates 2-3 March 2010 Reporting inspector Saleem Hussain Social care inspector Stella Henderson

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Published: 19 March 2010 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 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. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090070 Independent school inspection report

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A 1 of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005 2 , the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

An inspection of the care provision was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 having regard to the national minimum standards for children’s homes. This inspection took place at the same time but the full report is published separately on Ofsted’s website and should be read in conjunction with this report which covers the educational registration of the school.

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Information about the school

The Barn Green Corns is an independent special school and children’s home. It makes provision for one student between 10 and 18 years of age. Students who attend the school have a history of disrupted education and failed placements in local authority homes and in fostering. The proprietors are Green Corns Ltd, who are part of the Continuum Education Group. The school opened in 2007. It provides 24 hour care. Education is provided by a regular tutor and a team of visiting teachers, and additionally, is supported by linked vocational courses attended locally. Students may have a statement of special educational needs. The school aims to offer an ‘unconditional and positive regard’ through its care and to help students to achieve ‘measurable and demonstrably positive outcomes by putting them at the centre of everything.’ The social care provision was last inspected in June 2009. This is the school’s first inspection of education.

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Evaluation of the school

The quality of education is good and students make good progress because of good teaching. The school has successfully established itself and meets its aims because of the strong leadership of senior managers. All regulatory requirements are met. Provision for care is good as is the overall effectiveness of boarding. The curriculum is well planned to meet students’ individual learning needs, interests and aptitudes. As a result, students enjoy their educational experiences. Welfare, health and safety arrangements are good and safeguarding and child protection arrangements are fully in place. The provision for students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is good overall; the school has particular success in developing students’ self-esteem and improving their behaviour.

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Evaluation of the school

1 www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/ukpga_20020032_en_14#pt10-ch1-pb4-l1g162 2 www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2005/ukpga_20050018_en_15#sch8 Independent school inspection report

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Quality of education

The quality of education is good. The curriculum is good. It is well planned and meets the learning needs of students effectively. The curriculum is broad and well balanced. It provides experiences in all the required areas of learning and provides good opportunities for students to learn and make progress. The school carefully develops its schemes of work and tailors them to meet the individual needs of students, for example, in matching work with the requirements of statements of special educational needs. Effective planning ensures that the key skills relating to literacy, numeracy and speaking and listening are carefully built into curriculum and lesson plans. Information and communication technology (ICT) is used well throughout students’ learning. The school offers many GCSE subjects for study, including entry level options.

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Quality of education

The school places much emphasis on enabling students to gain vocational skills and work-related experiences. There are strong links with a local vocational training centre where students can study for accredited foundation courses in subjects such as motor vehicle engineering. The school has good provision for personal, social, health and citizenship education (PSHCE) and this promotes personal development effectively. The school’s education liaison officer works very closely with the Connexions service to support personal development and careers education.

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Quality of education

The curriculum is well supported through a good range of enrichment and extra- curricular activities; these are further enhanced by a good range of activities provided by social care staff. Educational visits are plentiful and include art galleries, theatres and museums. Physical education is well supported through frequent trips to sports centres and a nearby swimming pool.

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Quality of education

The quality of teaching and assessment is good and, as a result, students make good progress. Characteristic of teaching is the good attention to developing basic skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT. This is a key factor in the good progress students make in these areas of learning. Teachers’ planning ensures that students enjoy suitable learning activities. Although time in lessons is generally managed wisely, occasionally, teachers do not summarise the work at the end of lessons. Teachers manage behaviour effectively using good strategies to encourage students to work hard and act responsibly. Relationships between teachers and students are good. This helps to motivate students and encourages them to make good efforts and to show interest in their work. Lessons make good use of the resources available including computers. Care staff often support lessons and this makes a significant contribution to learning.

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Quality of education

Students are assessed shortly after admission through tests in English, mathematics and science. Students are then tested again in these subjects at the end of each term and the school’s records provide evidence that they are making good progress from their starting points. There is a good system to monitor and record the progress of students after each lesson. Senior managers evaluate performance effectively and use this information to plan teaching and also to set future learning targets. Independent school inspection report

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the students

Provision for students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good overall. As a result, students mature well and develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem. A strong work ethic and positive attitudes are instilled effectively through the school’s clear and consistent expectations. Adults provide good role models for students on which to base their own attitudes and personal conduct. As a result of these factors, behaviour is good. Attendance is also good. Moral development is well provided for through the consideration of moral dilemmas in PSHCE lessons. Students consider topics such as rights and responsibilities, respect, justice and equality. Social awareness is promoted through educational visits in the community which enable students to interact with others and also through opportunities to attend local sports centres for team games such as football.

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the students

The programme for PSHCE is very broad. It is effective in many ways including developing good citizenship skills and an understanding of how to make a worthwhile contribution to the community. There are also plenty of opportunities to develop a broad knowledge of public institutions and services including educational and welfare. There is excellent provision for students to develop knowledge and understanding of their own culture. There is satisfactory provision for students to develop appreciation and respect for the diverse nature of our society. As a result of the good guidance and range of learning experiences, both within the school and through their care support, students are well prepared for their future lives and economic well-being.

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Welfare, health and safety of the students

Parents confirm that they value highly the strong family and caring ethos of the school. Students feel safe in school. Discussions and records concerning behaviour and sanctions provide evidence that bullying is not a significant issue. Students say that they feel well supported by adults if they have any worries or concerns. Students know what they should do in order to lead a healthy lifestyle and physical education gives students good opportunities for exercise and sport. The school has devised appropriate welfare, health, fire, general safety and child protection policies. These include procedures to assess and manage safety risks related to learning activities in and outside the school. These policies are reviewed regularly and dates for review are given at the end of policy documents. The school has a clear statement relating to access and meets the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (2002).

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Suitability of the proprietor and staff

The school’s recruitment procedures are rigorous. Careful attention is given to ensuring that all the required safeguarding checks are carried out on everyone. The school meets all regulations regarding staff checks and the maintenance of the single central register. Independent school inspection report

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School’s premises and accommodation

The accommodation is very comfortable and homely. Boarding facilities are good and fully meet the standards required. The accommodation meets all the requirements for independent school registration, including with respect to issues relating to access and fire evacuation. The school has suitable facilities for students who become unwell.

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School’s premises and accommodation

Outdoor provision includes a small grassed area and garden. The premises are well maintained. The school has one spacious classroom. In addition, students have access to a kitchen, lounge and conservatory areas which are also used for activities and lessons. The kitchen is used well for teaching and learning in food technology. The office, staffroom and storage space are satisfactory. Washing and toilet facilities are satisfactory.

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Provision of information for parents, carers and others

All the required information, relating to the care and education provision is available for parents, carers and local authorities. It is up-to-date and provided in a clear and accessible form through the school prospectus and other available documentation. Reports relating to students’ academic and personal progress are helpful and informative. Monthly reports on students’ academic progress are a good feature and set out clearly what has been achieved.

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Procedures for handling complaints

The school has an appropriate and comprehensive process for handling complaints. Parents have access to a formal hearing with the governors if required. No complaints have proceeded to this formal stage since the school opened.

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Effectiveness of the boarding provision

The care provision was judged to be good, and national minimum standards were met. A full report on the care provision is available on Ofsted’s website and should be viewed in conjunction with this report.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets all of the Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2003 as amended (‘the Regulations’).

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What the school could do to improve further

While not required by regulations, the school might wish to consider the following points for development: Independent school inspection report  increase provision for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of cultures different to their own

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What the school could do to improve further

 ensure that teachers always summarise the work undertaken in lessons at the end of each lesson. Independent school inspection report Inspection judgement recording form outstanding Good satisfactory inadequate

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What the school could do to improve further

Overall quality of education  How well the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of students 

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What the school could do to improve further

How effective teaching and assessment are in meeting the full range of students’ needs 

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What the school could do to improve further

How well students make progress in their learning 

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What the school could do to improve further

Students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development

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What the school could do to improve further

Quality of provision for students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 

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What the school could do to improve further

The overall welfare, health and safety of students 

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What the school could do to improve further

Evaluation of boarding provision  Independent school inspection report

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School details

Name of school The Barn – Greencorns DCSF number 354/6030 Unique reference number (URN) 135448 Type of school Independent Special Status Independent Date school opened November 2007 Age range of students 10-18 Gender of students Mixed Number on roll (full-time students) Boys: 1 Girls: 0 Total: 1 Number of students with a statement of special educational need Boys: 1 Girls: 0 Total: 1

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School details

Annual fees (boarders) £257,400 Telephone number 01706 644471 (Company office) Email address angela.norris-heyes@greencorns.co.uk Headteacher Mrs Angela Norris-Heyes Proprietor Mr Bob Hall (The Continuum Education Group) Reporting inspector Mr Saleem Hussain Dates of inspection 2-3 March 2010

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