WoodGrove

Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 881/6044 Unique reference number (URN) 115439 URN for social care SCO1805 Inspection number 411461 Inspection dates 17 December 2012 Reporting inspector Fatiha Maitland 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 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090137 Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005.

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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Information about the school

Donyland Lodge is a day special school that caters for up to 15 boys and girls aged 11 to 18 years from the proprietor’s children’s homes who have severe behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. There is currently one boy on roll aged 17 years and he receives full-time education. This student has a statement of special educational needs and is looked after by his local authority.

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Information about the school

The school aims to run as a therapeutic environment and various therapies are provided within and outside the school day. The school’s vision is: ‘To create quality environments, employing dedicated and professional staff teams, where those placed in our care are supported to achieve the most they can from life.’

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Context of the inspection

The school was last inspected by Ofsted in March 2012 when the education provided was judged to be satisfactory. The school met most, but not all, of the education regulations for independent schools. The school submitted two action plans for improvement in response to the report. The first, submitted in July 2012, required improvement. The second action plan was evaluated in September 2012 and was judged to be satisfactory.

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Context of the inspection

This is the report of the first progress monitoring visit undertaken in order to evaluate the progress made by the school in implementing its action plan. This progress monitoring visit took place at the same time as a material change visit to assess the suitability of the school’s proposed new premises. The material change was recommended for approval.

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action plan

The inspection of March 2012 found a newly appointed staff team in post. The inspection reported that, while there were full plans, schemes of work and lesson plans for all subjects and areas of learning, the new school staff had found that most of these did not meet students’ needs. The staff had begun to devise a curriculum more appropriate to students’ aptitudes, needs and interests. However, not all medium-term plans for subjects were complete and the curriculum policy did not reflect the curriculum as it was taught at the time. There was not enough Independent school progress monitoring inspection report consistency in the use of the school’s assessment system as staff members were working independently of each other and had not decided upon school-wide assessment procedures.

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action plan

In response, the school planned to review its curriculum policy and content to reflect the curriculum provided and to produce and implement a school-wide assessment system. Staff have now devised a curriculum which is relevant to the students’ differing learning needs. This is well supported by appropriate schemes of work and lesson plans for all the subjects taught, covering all the required areas of learning. Long- and medium-term plans have been established for all subjects and accredited courses have their own detailed planning. The school has also revised its assessment policy and procedures. Students are now assessed on entry to school to identify their strengths and learning needs. The information from this and ongoing assessment is used by staff to provide learning experiences to meet the students’ learning needs, capabilities and interests in order to help them make progress and succeed. The

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action plan

revised assessment system is used consistently throughout the school as staff work collaboratively as a team and share their expertise.

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action plan

The previous inspection found that the anti-bullying policy did not take account of the latest Department for Education guidance. It did not include information about cyber-bullying or homophobic bullying. The inspection found that staff were not due to complete fire-awareness training until after the inspection and there was no fire- risk assessment. The guidance for first aid was distributed through other policies and procedures and insufficient guidance was given to staff on first aid.

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action plan

The school has now updated its anti-bullying policy, which includes information about cyber-bullying and homophobic bullying; this meets requirements. The school has also revised and implemented the fire precautions policy and procedures. All staff have now completed fire-awareness training. Fire drills are undertaken regularly. Fire equipment, electrical and gas appliances have been tested to ensure that they are safely operational. The school has also carried out the required fire risk assessment on the premises. A suitable first aid policy has been produced.

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action plan

The previous inspection found that annual reports had been written to describe what students had studied in each subject. However, these were variable in content and did not always include an indication of students’ attainment and progress. The school did not produce an annual report on income and expenditure incurred in respect of each student for their placing authorities. These shortcomings have been remedied. The school now provides parents, carers and others with a half-termly and an annual written report of the progress and attainment of each student in the subjects taught. The school has submitted an annual account of income and expenditure for each student to their local authority as required.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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School details

Type of school Special school for students with severe behavioural, emotional and social difficulties

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School details

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 1 Girls: 0 Total: 1

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School details

Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs Boys: 1 Girls: 0 Total: 1

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School details

Number of pupils who are looked after Boys: 1 Girls: 0 Total: 1

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School details

Annual fees (boarders) £182,000- £195,000

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School details

Email address john.flint@donyland.org.uk

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