Claybrook Cottage School

Independent school standard inspection report

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DfE registration number 855/6028 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135586 Inspection number 397642 Inspection dates 20–21 November 2012 Reporting inspector Jackie Cousins 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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090070 Independent school standard 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, 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. 1, 2

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Information about the school

Claybrooke Cottage is an independent special school catering for residential students. It is a small school. Students often have moderate learning difficulties and usually have severely challenging behaviour. Most, but not all, have a statement of special educational needs. The school opened in June 2008. The school is part of the Barford Care group which has four schools across five sites. This allows for some integrated work and sharing of resources. The school’s last inspection was in June 2009. In 2010 the school gained the Basic Skills quality mark and the Investors in People award. The school aims ‘to provide high quality education to each child according to their individual needs within a caring and nurturing environment.’

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Evaluation of the school

Claybrooke Cottage provides a good quality of education. A considerable improvement since the last inspection is that students make good progress. Provision for students’ welfare, health and safety is good and supports their good spiritual, moral, social, cultural and personal development. Behaviour is good because the ‘Care Team’ provides strong support for students’ learning, conduct and related needs. Safeguarding arrangements are good and the school meets all the regulations for independent schools.

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Quality of education

The curriculum is good. This helps students make good progress in their learning across all subjects and in key skills. This is a significant improvement since the last inspection. Subject planning is adapted successfully to meet an individual student’s needs. Students speaking skills are developed thoughtfully because of good levels of staff expertise and planning. Reading and writing have a high focus and students are encouraged to gain a range of national qualifications. A recent project focused on improving reading skills and so one student thoughtfully read large numbers of books in six months.

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Quality of education

Good use of time means that students develop their mathematical understanding accurately. Scientific provision is effectively planned and delivered with support from specialist staff. Information and communication technology (ICT) is taught satisfactorily and so students use resources to research various topics such as

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Quality of education

1 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/32/contents . 2 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/18/contents . Independent school standard inspection report farming. However, provision is restricted so that over the last few years, students have gained few qualifications in ICT. Students’ physical and creative development is promoted well due to the use of local facilities and staff knowledge. For example, a local sport’s centre and a school are used regularly by students and so they learn to play badminton and team games. Students learn to use wood and materials productively because of appropriate use of resources. Personal and social development has a high focus. This means that staff work diligently to ensure that students learn to mix constructively with others. Students develop their emotional skills through discussion times with staff. Those who are disabled or have special education needs are well provided for socially and

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Quality of education

academically. Visits enrich students’ project work effectively and these have included trips to a space centre and several different places of worship. A student thoroughly enjoyed a theatre production which allowed him to explore a representation of events from the past. Work experience placements help students successfully prepare for the world of work.

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Quality of education

The quality of teaching and assessment are good. Challenging behaviour is managed successfully so that students are encouraged to concentrate on what they are learning. The staff expect students to work independently and ask for help when they need it. Students develop their key skills because of good staff expertise. Occasionally, planning for lessons does not always set more challenging extra activities which a student could undertake if the main body of work is completed with time to spare. This limits progress.

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Quality of education

The best teaching allows each student to learn key skills through topics which they feel are important and really interest them. For instance, in the past, one student developed his literacy skills successfully when he researched and wrote about the Royal family. Another student was keen to practice numeracy skills which would allow her to gain a valuable qualification in mathematics. This student applied herself to the task diligently and so she worked successfully through many problem solving activities. Teaching enabled the student to learn a variety of ways to solve a problem because of good use of explanation by the teacher. Creative development was promoted well when a student learnt to sketch people using different types of pencils. For example, she used shading effectively to add details such as hair and clothing to her drawing of a group of people.

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Quality of education

Over recent years the school has improved significantly the way it assesses students, especially in English and mathematics. Regularly, the National Curriculum levels and other forms of assessment are used to assess a student’s progress particularly in reading, spelling and numeracy. The use of this data to inform teaching has meant that some students have successfully gained GCSEs, basic skills qualifications or certificates for units of work in many areas of learning. School records and work in folders show that in six months, one student improved their reading and spelling level by one year and their numeracy by two years. Teaching staff regularly give Independent school standard inspection report students positive feedback. Each student has an improvement plan which will develop their basic skills but targets are not always specific enough and sometimes, students are not totally clear about how they can demonstrate that they have met

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students

Students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. The majority of students enter school with very challenging behaviour. However, they quickly establish good relationships with staff. Students enjoy school and become calmer and more able to join in activities for longer periods. Their attendance is good and their attitudes to learning are positive.

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students

Students’ self-confidence grows steadily due to encouraging comments from staff. Their understanding of right and wrong is well promoted. They learn effectively about the police service and British law. The students develop social skills successfully and their behaviour is good. They play board games productively in the school or can be part of clubs because of strong links with other schools in the Barford Care Group.

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students

They learn about British and other cultures successfully because trips out of school are used thoughtfully to deepen students’ understanding. For instance, a student enjoyed learning about people with different beliefs because visits were used productively. Different countries are studied carefully and foods are tried by students in connection with a range of projects. Community involvement is positive and a student has helped to tend a local allotment. Students visit the local fire station and effectively find out about the service’s work.

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Welfare, health and safety of students

The provision for students’ welfare, health and safety is good. Child protection procedures are thorough. Staff have been appropriately trained in child protection and in other aspects, such as first aid. Regular checks of the premises and fire-safety are made to assure students’ protection. All activities inside the school and out on trips, are carefully risk-assessed to minimise potential dangers. The supervision of students is good.

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Welfare, health and safety of students

The management of students’ challenging behaviour is a significant strength of the school. The rewards that students are given each day mean they can earn extra treats like being taken to a local cafe. Detentions or not going on planned trips are effective sanctions used to ensure that students learn to behave appropriately and safely. Data from daily behaviour records are carefully monitored by senior staff and teachers. The staff care and are concerned for students’ welfare. This supports good relationships. All students have at least one-to-two support. The staff work together and hold ‘Care Team’ meetings at least every six weeks and this helps staff address Independent school standard inspection report students’ additional needs very well. For example, weekly sessions are often organised which allow students to discuss their concerns with a qualified councillor.

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Welfare, health and safety of students

The school does much to promote healthy lifestyles, through a considerable amount of physical activity and an emphasis on healthy eating. As a result, students learn to use their energy purposefully, and to widen their diet.

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Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

All required checks on staff’s identify, medical fitness, qualifications and right to work in the United Kingdom have been undertaken suitably. The school has a single central register maintained to the required standard.

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Premises and accommodation at the school

The premises have recently been thoughtfully redecorated. The building allows students to learn successfully. The classroom is light and well organised. There is some ICT equipment but it is rather basic. Resources to develop students’ cooking skills are good. A suitable grassed area and local sports facilities are available for outdoor and indoor activities. Security is effective and so students are kept safe on the school site.

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Provision of information

All of the required information is provided, or made available, to parents, carers and others. It is accurate and up to date. A prospectus has been created and other information is available on the school’s website. The safeguarding policy is easily obtainable on the website. Parents, carers and the local authority receive a thoughtful report on each student’s progress in key skills and personal development.

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Manner in which complaints are to be handled

The school’s policy and procedure for handling complaints are thorough.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The proprietor has ensured that the school meets The Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010, schedule 1 (‘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.

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What the school could do to improve further

 Develop resources for ICT so that students gain more qualifications in this area of learning. Independent school standard inspection report  Make sure that targets are more detailed so that each student can easily show how they have met them.  Ensure that planning for lessons always includes extra activities which will allow students to reach the next level of skill. Independent school standard inspection report Inspection judgements outstanding

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The quality of education

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

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The quality of education

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

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The quality of education

How well students make progress in their learning 

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The quality of education

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

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Welfare, health and safety of students

The overall welfare, health and safety of students  Independent school standard inspection report

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School details

Email address JCollighan@barfordcare.com

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School details

Proprietor Tony Puliafito Independent school standard inspection report

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carers to share with their children. It describes Ofsted’s

main findings from the inspection of their school.

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Inspection of Claybrooke Cottage School, Lutterworth, LE17 5DA

Thank you for helping me to find out about your school. It was a great pleasure to speak to you and to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Your school provides you with a good education. You told me you were getting on well with your school work.

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Inspection of Claybrooke Cottage School, Lutterworth, LE17 5DA

These are some of the best things about your school. Students make good progress especially in learning to read, writing and do mathematics. You learn to discuss what is important to you and what you would like to study because staff listen to you carefully. You behave well in school because staff guide you thoughtfully. You feel safe in school because staff manage you firmly and calmly. You told me how much you enjoy art work, such as when you learnt to sketch people using different types of pencils. You are taught well and staff work hard to tell you what you have done well.

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Inspection of Claybrooke Cottage School, Lutterworth, LE17 5DA

Your headteacher and teachers have good ideas about how to improve the school and we have agreed how to make things even better. I have agreed with them that they will improve the computers so that you gain more experience of ICT. Also I have asked them to make sure that your targets are more detailed so that you can easily show that you have met them. I have discussed how lessons could include some harder activities which would allow you to do even better work.

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Inspection of Claybrooke Cottage School, Lutterworth, LE17 5DA

Continue to listen carefully to your teachers’ comments, come to school every day, work hard and enjoy all the super things you are learning at Claybrooke Cottage School.

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