Fenton Grange School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1 and 2 ◼ School leaders have developed an appropriate curriculum which focuses on meeting pupils’ academic, social and emotional needs. Most curriculum plans contain the relevant level of detail and define learning effectively. A post-16 curriculum plan is in place. However, it has less detail than other areas. School leaders plan that post-16 pupils will access a bespoke and individual timetable, the planning of which will depend on the needs of individual students. ◼ The proposed curriculum covers all areas of learning and offers a broad range of activities to engage and motivate pupils. The proposed curriculum is likely to meet the independent school standards and appears to be broad enough to be adapted to meet the individual needs of pupils. ◼ The proposed system being put in place to check and monitor pupils’ progress is already in place in many of the company’s other schools. Leaders are planning to

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Main inspection findings

change this system in the near future. However, the current system is fit for purpose and is understood by staff and leaders. ◼ Personal, social, health and economic education plans show proposed effective coverage on a range of subjects, including personal safety, healthy living, sex and relationships and online safety. An audit of the proposed curriculum has already been completed by school leaders, which demonstrates clearly how fundamental British values are to be taught and how pupils will learn to respect the protected characteristics identified within the Equality Act 2010. This area is likely to meet the required standards. ◼ The school’s plans for delivering careers education are likely to meet the required standards. School leaders are planning to use external advisers from both North Yorkshire local authority and an independent company to advise pupils. This should ensure that pupils and students receive independent and unbiased advice and

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Main inspection findings

guidance. Paragraph 3 ◼ Teaching and support staff have not yet been appointed to the school. Leaders are aiming to recruit three teachers and four support staff. It is likely that at least some of the staff will come from other local schools owned by the company. The headteacher is clear that the school aims to offer a bespoke curriculum to pupils but is also aware that this may have implications for staff recruitment. Discussions with the headteacher showed that the school has budgeted for the deployment of extra subject-specialist staff should a pupil wish to study a subject outside the curriculum expertise of the regular staff. Paragraph 4 ◼ The proposed assessment system is likely to meet requirements. Pupils’ academic, social and emotional starting points will be established through a range of baseline assessments when they join the school. It is planned that pupils’ progress will be tracked at termly intervals and this information will be used by staff to plan further

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Main inspection findings

work. ◼ All independent standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5 ◼ School leaders’ planning demonstrates that they are clear about the importance of increasing pupils’ self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. It is planned that pupils will be offered both therapeutic support and access to a range of different activities across the curriculum. ◼ Leaders are clearly aware of the need to ensure that pupils gain a good understanding of the protected characteristics outlined in the 2010 Equalities Act. The school’s plan for ensuring that pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural needs are met demonstrates leaders’ intention to ensure that pupils learn about democracy and the rule of law, as well as understanding right from wrong. Prospective teachers’ job descriptions and the staff handbook highlight school leaders’ focus on ensuring that pupils are protected from extremism and partisan political views.

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Main inspection findings

◼ School leaders intend to develop pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural well-being through assemblies and selected activities, as well as visits within the community. ◼ All independent standards within this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 6 and 7 ◼ School leaders have made effective arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of prospective pupils. Clear safeguarding policies and procedures have been drawn up in line with those in place at the company’s other schools. Plans for implementation on the current site are in place. It is planned that safeguarding training will be delivered to all staff on appointment. ◼ Strict and robust protocols are to be followed to ensure that staff recruitment is carried out safely. Leaders intend to ensure that pre-appointment checks are carried out on all new members of staff in accordance with statutory guidance. Paragraph 9 ◼ School leaders have put in place an effective behaviour policy which sets out clearly the consequences and sanctions for pupils’ misbehaviour, as well as the rewards to be given for pupils’ positive behaviour. The policy also clearly describes the high

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Main inspection findings

expectations leaders and staff have overall of pupils’ behaviour. Paragraph 10 ◼ School leaders plan to use the anti-bullying policy currently in place in schools within the company. It is comprehensive and recognises the different forms bullying can take. The policy describes well a range of planned strategies. At the start of the inspection, the policy was not personalised to the setting. This was rectified during the inspection, ensuring compliance. Paragraphs 11 and 12 ◼ Leaders have drawn up a health and safety policy which includes a comprehensive fire risk assessment. Fire exits are clearly identifiable, a fire detection system is in place and a fire evacuation plan has been compiled. Fire extinguishers are in place but leaders have plans to increase the number of these, particularly in the science laboratory and the kitchen area. Paragraph 13 ◼ Proprietors have ensured that a first-aid policy is in place which includes provision for

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Main inspection findings

the administration of first aid. First-aid training for all staff has been planned to take place before pupils arrive in school. Newly purchased first-aid boxes are in relevant places around the school in readiness for pupils and staff. Paragraph 14 ◼ Proposed timetables show that pupils will have access to an organised curriculum which will be bespoke to their needs and starting points. Leadership plans show that they intend to appoint three teachers and four support staff before September, when they envisage that eight pupils will start the school. These plans demonstrate that leaders intend to ensure that pupils are suitably supported and supervised. Paragraph 15 ◼ The proprietor has ensured that attendance and admissions registers will be completed in line with the current regulatory requirements. Staff and leaders are aware of the need to report on the destination of all leavers in order to minimise the

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Main inspection findings

risk of pupils being missing from education. Paragraph 16 ◼ The proposed school has a comprehensive risk assessment policy in place which is used across the company in all schools. The policy ensures that planned actions address the areas of risk are identified. ◼ School leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met in this part. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors Paragraphs 17 to 21 ◼ School leaders have ensured that all required and appropriate checks have been undertaken to ensure the suitability of prospective employees and the proprietors to work with children. These checks include an enhanced criminal record check and have been undertaken before the start of the employment of any employees. ◼ A register has been compiled which details all checks and is in a legible and accessible format. ◼ School leaders intend to employ supply staff and are clear about the extra checks

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Main inspection findings

needed to ensure pupils’ safety. ◼ School leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 28 ◼ The proposed school is to be housed in a recently finished purpose-built new building. The building comprises one general classroom, an art room, an information technology room, a science laboratory, a food technology room and a combined drama and dining room. Other areas of the building house a shower, toilets, a medical room, offices and a meeting room. The space allocated to teaching is large enough to meet the needs of up to 20 pupils, as requested by the school. ◼ The building is finished to a high standard. All lighting, including outside lights, meets the required standard. The building also meets the acoustic requirements of the independent school standards. ◼ A tour of the premises showed that there are sufficient toilet and showering facilities for the sole use of pupils. A medical room is also in place which is close to a set of

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Main inspection findings

toilets and contains a wash-hand basin. ◼ Drinking water coolers are not yet in place but water is available from the food technology room. Taps are marked appropriately. Hot water tested at the time of the inspection posed no risk of scalding. Paragraph 29 ◼ Outside the building is a large car park, an outside seating area with picnic tables, a grass play area and a small field. The outside area is of a sufficient size for pupils to undertake physical education (PE). It is also planned that pupils will undertake PE and games at a local leisure centre. ◼ The proprietors and school leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met in this part. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32 ◼ The Cambian Group has a website which holds information about its schools, including the company’s safeguarding policy. Due to the nature of the needs of the prospective pupils, the company does not plan to have a separate website for the school. It is

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Main inspection findings

planned that, as in the case of other similar schools, required information, such as the safeguarding policy and Ofsted reports, will be made available to the parents and carers of prospective pupils from the school office. ◼ It is also planned that reports on the progress made by pupils will be sent to parents and corporate parents directly by the school. ◼ The proprietors and school leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33 ◼ The proprietors have put in place a complaints policy which, after minor adjustments, meets the independent school standards requirements. ◼ The policy is clear and easy to follow. Leaders plan that parents will be able to access the policy and information relating to the policy directly from the school office. ◼ The proprietors and school leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34 ◼ It is planned that the headteacher will oversee the day-to-day running of the school. The headteacher is experienced, having been the head of several other schools in the company and in other areas. It is planned that the director of education will hold the headteacher to account for pupils’ progress and attainment. Other aspects of the headteacher’s leadership will be measured against company key performance indicators which are reviewed by the proprietor. ◼ During the inspection, the leadership team demonstrated effective knowledge and understanding of the welfare and educational needs of prospective pupils. ◼ Systems in place to recruit staff safely meet the current requirements. ◼ The proprietors and school leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met in this part. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 ◼ School leaders have made sure that arrangements to meet paragraph 3 of schedule

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Main inspection findings

10 of the Equalities Act 2010 are effectively in place. ◼ The proprietors have drawn up an effective accessibility plan.

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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.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address fentonschooladmin@cambiangroup.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection 1 February 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 0 11–16 years 11–16 years Number of pupils on the school roll 0 11–16 years 11–16 years

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils 0 Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 0 20 Number of part-time pupils 0 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 20

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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 0 20

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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 0 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 8

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Information about this proposed school

◼ The school is part of the Cambian Group. The Cambian Group provides a range of different children’s services, including 38 registered special schools nationwide. ◼ The school is located in a rural area and intends to offer a therapeutic approach to educating pupils who have experienced high levels of trauma. ◼ The building is brand new and purpose-built with the needs of prospective pupils in the forefront of the design. ◼ Prospective pupils are likely to be children looked after. Most pupils will be referred to the school by their local authority. ◼ The school proposal is to cater for the needs of up to 20 pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs, some of whom may also have speech, language and communication needs.

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Information about this inspection

◼ This was the second pre-registration visit since school leaders sought registration for the provision. ◼ The inspection team scrutinised a range of documents provided by the school. They included safeguarding documentation and documents relating to the school’s proposed curriculum and pupils’ progress. ◼ Discussions were held with the headteacher and the director of education. The proprietor was unable to attend the inspection in person. A telephone discussion was undertaken with the proprietor.

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Inspection team

Marian Thomas, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Drew Crawshaw 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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visitwww.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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