Turnaround

Turnaround Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 860/6442 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135730 Inspection number 368165 Inspection dates 3 March 2011 Reporting inspector Alan Lemon 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 . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you

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give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’. Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann’s Square Manchester M2 7LA

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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

Turnaround was established in 1996 and comprises two children’s homes located near to each other in a relatively isolated rural area. It offers care and education to young people being looked after by local authorities across England. This is in the form of emergency placements which may lead to short- and medium-term stays for young people who are at a point of severe crisis. Full-time education is provided for the duration of their stay at Turnaround. It is rare for a young person to remain as long as a year. Since the last inspection of education, Turnaround has had a new proprietor.

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Information about the school

The school is registered for up to nine students. Currently, there is one 12 year old girl on roll who does not have a statement of special educational needs but is currently undergoing statutory assessment. Students who attend school at Turnaround have severe behavioural, emotional and social difficulties as well as learning difficulties relating mainly to communication, language and literacy. The school aims to ‘facilitate and support learning through a variety of positive experiences in a non-judgemental environment where children feel safe, supported and valued.’

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Context of the inspection

The school and children’s homes were inspected together in November 2009. Two of the independent school regulations relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils were not met. The school submitted an action plan in August 2010 showing how it would meet these regulations. The action plan was evaluated and found to be satisfactory in September 2010. This is the first visit to the school to follow up its progress in implementing its action plan.

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action plan

At the time of the last inspection of the school in November 2009, the implementation of the policy to safeguard and promote the welfare of students was not sufficiently robust. This exposed students, and the staff supervising them, to unnecessary risks when on adventure activities away from school. Additionally, at the Independent school progress monitoring inspection report time of that inspection, key decision-makers did not sufficiently appreciate the importance of considering all of students’ welfare needs including their cultural and religious differences when planning activities for the students.

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action plan

In order to remedy the shortfalls, the school planned to revise its risk assessment procedures, to revise the policy on equality and diversity, to undertake staff training in relevant areas and to revise the young peoples’ booklet dealing with equality and diversity.

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action plan

As a result of putting the plan into effect, policies for safeguarding students are now implemented well. Policies, procedures and staff training concerning safeguarding students and attending to their welfare, cultural and religious needs are clear, including when they are away on short and extended outdoor activities. A placement plan, drawn up immediately a young person arrives, has benefitted from revision and is now well detailed. It comprises an individual risk assessment of behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and also comprehensive personal information including details of cultural and religious heritage. Information in placement plans is fully considered in drawing up risk assessments for each adventure activity and is closely monitored by the adventure activities co-ordinator.

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action plan

Good attention is now being given to planning students’ activities to take account of their backgrounds. Turnaround’s equality and diversity policy has been revised to make all staff aware of the importance attached to each student’s heritage. The renewed policy has been the focus of staff training, which has raised awareness and is now also embedded in Turnaround’s induction programme for newly appointed staff.

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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 Independent special school for students with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

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School details

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

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School details

Number of boarders Boys: 0 Girls: 1 Total: 1

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School details

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

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School details

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

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