Froebel House School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Froebel House School 5 Marlborough Avenue, Hull, HU5 3JP

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  During this inspection, it was found that the proprietor has not ensured that all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training. For example, some support staff have not completed any safeguarding training.  The safeguarding policy in the school is not up to date with the latest government guidance. For example, there is no mention of the statutory guidance, ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (2016).  The school website is currently closed as it is being improved ready for the next academic year. The safeguarding policy is therefore not available on the website. The policy is available to parents and carers upon request.  Safeguarding records are weak. There is little recorded information about actions and outcomes following safeguarding incidents. On occasion, information is not logged in a timely manner.  Leaders do not ensure that there is an appropriate system in place to keep records of

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Main inspection findings

accidents. The current system sends information home to parents about accidents, but no record is kept in school.  The headteacher has established links with the local authority and seeks advice from the local authority designated officer when required.  The headteacher provides staff and parents with regular updates about safeguarding. He does this through parental newsletters and in staff meetings.  Parents say and pupils agree that pupils feel safe in school. The premises are secure.  The headteacher has begun to make improvements in some areas, but these standards are not met. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c)  At the previous inspection, it was identified that the school did not have an appropriate behaviour policy in place, nor an accurate record of sanctions taken following misbehaviour. This inspection found that this continues to be the case. The behaviour policy does not provide information about the sanctions available following

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Main inspection findings

misbehaviour. Logs of sanctions imposed are not recorded fully.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraph 10  At the previous inspection it was identified that the proprietor did not ensure that an anti-bullying strategy was implemented effectively.  Pupils say that bullying is very rare because if there is a falling out, teachers deal with it swiftly so that it does not progress to bullying. Records show that bullying is rare.  This standard is now met. Paragraph 13  The previous inspection identified that the proprietor did not ensure that an appropriate first aid policy was implemented effectively.  This inspection found that the first aid policy is still not implemented appropriately. The policy states that records will be kept for three years following an incident. There are no first aid records for this academic year.  This standard remains unmet. Paragraph 16, 16(a)  During this inspection, it was found that the proprietor has not ensured that the school

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Main inspection findings

has a risk assessment policy in place.  These standards are unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e) , 18(3), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4)  Leaders ensure that appropriate checks are made on staff who are working at the school and these checks are recorded on the single central record.  These standards were met at the previous inspection and remain met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 28(1), 28(1)(b)  In the standard inspection in October 2017, the inspector found that toilets were not for the sole use of pupils and there was not an adequate supply of hot water for washing.  In this inspection, it was confirmed that there is one staff toilet and the remaining toilets are for pupils’ use. Most toilets are labelled for the use of boys and girls.  The toilets have an adequate supply of water and washing facilities are appropriate. Toilets and urinals are working.  These standards are now met. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a)  During this inspection, the medical room was found not to be fit for purpose. While the medical room is close to a toilet and has a sink and first aid kit, some of the contents of the first aid kit were found to be out of date and there is not a bed for the examination or short-term care of sick pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 The headteacher confirmed he would ensure a suitable bed would be made available.  This standard was met at the previous inspection but found to be unmet at this inspection. Paragraph 27, 27(b)  At the previous inspection, in October 2017, the inspector identified that the external lighting was not working. In the subsequent action plan, the proprietor did not identify a timescale for fixing the external lighting.  At the time of this inspection, the external light remains broken. The headteacher confirmed that contractors have been contacted and are coming in to school to fix the light within the next two weeks.  These standards remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(d), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(g)  It was identified at the previous inspection that leaders and managers should ensure that policies relating to admissions; misbehaviour and exclusions; provision for pupils with education, health and care plans; anti-bullying; health and safety; first aid; information about the school’s academic performance and a copy of the previous inspection report should be made available to parents.  During this inspection, parents confirmed that they are able to request policies and information about academic performance from the school. They confirmed that they had received the previous inspection report. Policies are readily available in a school policy file.  The school website is currently under development and is offline.  Most school policies are out of date and the headteacher confirmed that he is aware of

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Main inspection findings

this and is working through the policies and updating them. None of the policies evaluated during the inspection had been recently reviewed.  Although policies are not up to date, they are available to parents upon request.  These standards are now met. Paragraph 32(3), 32(3)(b)  It was identified at the previous inspection that leaders and managers should ensure that the policy for provision for pupils who speak English as an additional language is made available to parents.  This inspection found that the school does not have a policy for provision for pupils who speak English as an additional language.  These standards remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the previous inspection, the inspectors identified that the proprietor did not ensure that the independent school standards were met consistently or that those with leadership and management responsibilities demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role.  During this monitoring inspection, although progress has been made in meeting some of these standards, others were found to be unmet. This includes standards relating to safeguarding and the medical room.  The headteacher accepts that policies are very out of date and have not been reviewed or updated in a timely manner.  Therefore, these standards remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  It was identified in the previous inspection that the school did not meet the statutory requirement of the early years foundation stage as children in the early years did not have their learning implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity.  The headteacher has ensured there has been an increase in play-based activity. Links have been established with the local authority to moderate children’s work. The school is making progress towards meeting the statutory requirement of the early years foundation stage.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, 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.

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School details

Email address froebel@froebel.karoo.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 17–19 October 2017

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Information about this school

 Froebel House School is registered to accept up to 140 boys and girls between the ages of three and 11 years old. During this inspection, 144 pupils were on roll and one pupil is 12 years old. The headteacher provided evidence that from September 2018, the school will be operating within its registration status.  At the time of this inspection, no pupils on roll had any identified special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The school operates on one site.  Froebel House received a standard inspection in October 2017, where it was judged to require improvement. An action plan was submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) following this inspection and was rejected.  The school has no governors or senior leaders apart from the headteacher. The proprietor currently takes no active role in managing the school.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The inspector met with pupils and the headteacher and toured the school inside and out. She also spoke with parents via telephone conversations. Policies and documents associated with the independent school standards were evaluated.  The previous standard inspection took place in October 2017.  The DfE required the school to produce an action plan which was evaluated in February 2018 and rejected.  This progress monitoring visit was the first to take place, following the standard inspection.

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Inspection team

Debbie Redshaw, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that– – 9(a) a written behaviour policy is drawn up that, amongst other matters, sets out the sanctions to be adopted in the event of pupil misbehaviour – 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively; and – 9(c) a record is kept of the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour.  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 27 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 27(b) external lighting is provided in order to ensure that people can safely enter and leave the school premises.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is– – 32(3)(b) particulars of educational and welfare provision for pupils with EHC plans and pupils for whom English is an additional language.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including– – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils.

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standards

 10 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that bullying at the school is prevented in so far as reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and implementation of an effective anti-bullying strategy.  23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils.  28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 28(1)(b) toilets and urinals have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water.  32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 32(1)(b) the information specified in sub-paragraph (3) is made available to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector, the

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standards

Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request

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standards

– 32(1)(d) following an inspection under section 108 or 109 of the 2008 Act, a copy of the report of the inspection (if it has been sent to the proprietor) is published and maintained on the school’s internet website, and provided to the parents of each registered pupil, by any date specified by the body who conducted the inspection.  32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is– – 32(3)(a) particulars of the school’s policy on and arrangements for admissions, misbehaviour and exclusions – 32(3)(d) particulars of arrangements for meeting the standards contained in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 13 – 32(3)(e) particulars of the school’s academic performance during the preceding school year, including the results of any public examinations – 32(3)(g) a copy of the report of any inspection carried out under sections 108 or 109 of the 2008 Act or section 87(1) of the 1989 Act. guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website:

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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