Priory Blandford Camhs

School pre-registration inspection report

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Priory Blandford CAMHS Shottsford House, Heddington Drive, Fairfield Bungalows, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7HX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)–2(2)(b), 2(2)(g)–2(2)(i), 3(i)  Leaders have put in place a comprehensive curriculum policy, supported by effective plans and schemes of work. This outlines the school’s philosophy and how leaders will ensure that, as much as possible, pupils receive a broad curriculum offer, alongside their medical and therapeutic needs.  While at Priory Blandford CAMHS, pupils will follow work set by their home school. This will be facilitated by school staff. All pupils at key stages 3 and 4 will study English, mathematics and science, plus one additional subject of their choice. At key stage 4, pupils will continue working towards their externally accredited courses. Where school staff do not have the skills or subject knowledge required to teach specific subjects, leaders will commission external tutors to meet pupils’ needs.  Beyond key stage 4, students will be able to continue with their college courses.

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Main inspection findings

Additionally, school staff will prepare students for independent living and, where appropriate, aid them in moving on to further education, training or employment.  The school’s plans and schemes of work do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Paragraph 2(2)(d)–2(2)(e)(iii), 3(j)  In addition to the curriculum provision outlined above, the school also intends to provide all pupils and students with personal, social, health and economic education. This will be planned to reflect the school’s ethos and to promote in pupils a respect for both themselves and others.  The school will ensure that pupils receive appropriate careers advice through liaison with local colleges. This will be monitored by school leaders to ensure its impartiality. Paragraph 3, 3(a)–3(h), 4  The school’s curriculum policy and schemes of work set out how teaching will help

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Main inspection findings

pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability. If implemented effectively, the schemes of work will ensure that lessons are well planned and based on secure understanding of relevant subject knowledge.  Work will be assessed either by the pupils’ home school or by teachers in the school. This will depend on individual circumstance.  The standards in part 1 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5–5(d)(iii)  The school will promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through the curriculum, as well as in the pastoral support provided by staff. Due to pupils’ vulnerabilities, the primary aim of this work will be to build pupils’ self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-confidence. Additionally, there will be a focus of developing life skills.  Pupils will be encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour. Through regular ‘student voice’ meetings, they will also have an opportunity to express their views in a structured, democratic forum.  Leaders have a clear vision for the role that the school will play in its local community. This will include pupil visits, as well as inviting visitors into the school. Leaders’ plans include regular informal visits from the police, to build positive relationships, and

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Main inspection findings

developing pupils’ cultural awareness through inviting different faith groups in to talk to pupils about their beliefs and cultures.  The standard in part 2 is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(b)  The headteacher, who is currently the designated safeguarding lead, has a secure understanding of statutory safeguarding requirements as set out in ‘Keeping children safe in education (2016)’. The school’s policy is fully compliant and states how the school will make effective arrangements to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare. Paragraph 9–9(c), 10, 14  The school’s behaviour policy is clear and outlines how it will promote good behaviour among pupils. Additionally, it sets out the sanctions which will be adopted in the event of pupil misbehaviour and how these will be recorded. The school has drawn up an anti-bullying strategy that, when implemented, is likely to prevent bullying as far as is reasonably possible.  Leaders have planned appropriate staffing ratios so that pupils are likely to be well supervised. Teaching staff will be supported by ward staff where this is necessary.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 11, 16–16(b)  The proprietor has a written health and safety policy which identifies clearly the lines of responsibility. The policy makes reference to the relevant health and safety legislation and sets out how these will be complied with.  Although specific risk assessments have not yet been drawn up for this setting, leaders are able to demonstrate a secure understanding of risk management. Risk assessments already in place at the proprietor’s other settings are effective. Providing that risk assessments for this setting are of the same quality, the standard in this paragraph is likely to be met. Paragraph 12  The proprietor has commissioned an external fire risk assessment. This highlighted a number of areas which need to be addressed before the school opens. The proprietor has already remedied some of these, for example installing no smoking signs and intumescent strips. Leaders have put plans in place to rectify other areas prior to

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Main inspection findings

opening. Assuming that these are completed, the standard in this paragraph is likely to be met. Paragraph 13  Leaders have drawn up an effective first aid policy. Due to the school’s setting within a hospital, first aid will be administered by ward staff in the majority of cases. Paragraph 15  The proprietor has well-established systems in place to maintain admission and attendance registers.  The standards in part 3 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a)–18(2)(f), 18(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(4), 21(6)–21(7)(b)  The school’s procedures for ensuring the suitability of adults working in the school are thorough and in line with statutory guidance. All of the required checks have been undertaken for the proprietor, governors and school leaders. The headteacher has ensured that teaching staff have been recruited in line with safer recruitment practices.  The school’s single central record, which is to be held centrally by the proprietor, is fully compliant. This provides evidence that checks have been made in line with statutory guidance. Paragraph 19(1)–19(3), 21(5)–21(5)(c)  The school does not intend to use any supply staff.  The standards in part 4 are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)–23(1)(b), 24(1)–24(2), 25–28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s premises, which are set within the main hospital, are appropriate for their intended use. A number of facilities, for example accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils, will be provided by the hospital. Similarly, toilets and washing facilities will be provided in pupils’ en-suite bedrooms.  Pupils in the school will have access to outside areas. These include grass areas where pupils will be able to socialise and play games. Paragraph 23(1)(c), 29(1)(a)  The school intends to use the local leisure centre for pupils’ physical education lessons. This location will also provide changing and shower facilities. Leaders understand that this will need to be risk assessed prior to commencement.  The standards in part 5 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)–32(4)(c)  Leaders have arrangements in place to provide parents and other relevant parties with the information required by the standard. Due to the complex needs and vulnerabilities of pupils, the school does not intend to have its own website. However, parents will be provided with details of where the required information can be located.  The standard in part 6 is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a)–33(k)  The school has a written complaints procedure, which will be made available to parents. It sets out clear timescales for the management of complaints and allows for a complaint to be considered informally in the first instance.  Should a parent be dissatisfied with the school’s response to a complaint, the procedures outline clearly the steps a parent may take so that their concerns can be addressed further. This includes a formal written stage and a hearing before a panel. Procedures state that any such panel will consist of at least three people not involved in the matters relating to the complaint, and one of whom will be independent of the school.  The school’s policy outlines the arrangements for maintaining records of complaints and how these will be kept confidential. The exceptions to this, for example during an inspection, are stated clearly.

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Main inspection findings

 The standard in part 7 is likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor has a secure understanding of the independent school standards and has put effective systems in place to ensure that they are met consistently.  The standard in part 8 is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has an appropriate accessibility policy, which meets the requirements of paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  The school’s aims state clearly how all pupils are to be supported in accessing the curriculum.  The school’s new premises have been designed in line with the latest accessibility requirements. For example, lifts have been installed and there are a number of accessible toilets and showers.

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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

Website www.priorychildrensservices.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Email address danielgoldstraw@priorygroup.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 18 11 to 18 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 12 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable To be confirmed

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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 Not applicable To be confirmed

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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 Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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Information about this proposed school

 Priory Blandford CAMHS is operated by Partnerships in Care Limited. This is a subsidiary of The Priory Group. It will be based within Priory Blandford Hospital in Blandford Forum, Dorset. The school intends to open in September 2018.  The school will cater solely for young people with acute mental health needs, who have been admitted into the hospital. These young people will be referred to the hospital by the NHS. It is anticipated that they will attend the school for an average period of 10 weeks.  Pupils in the school will be between the ages of 11 and 18. Pupils will remain registered with their home school and staff in these schools will set and assess pupils’ work. This will enable pupils to continue their individual programmes of study.  The proposed school will cater for up to 12 pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 This pre-registration inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in order to assess the school’s readiness to open. This was done by checking whether it is likely to meet the independent school standards should it be registered.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher, project manager and facilities manager. He also had a telephone conversation with the proprietor. The inspector examined the school’s application and looked at other documents provided by the school. He undertook a tour of the premises of the proposed school.

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Inspection team

Jonathan Dyer, lead inspector 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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