High Wycombe Hospital School

School pre-registration inspection report

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High Wycombe Hospital School 309 Cressex Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 4QF

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have written curriculum, assessment and teaching policies which appropriately consider the complex needs of pupils who are hospitalised for long-term stays to support them with their mental health difficulties. The curriculum covers all the required areas of learning for pupils aged 11 to 18, including a suitably impartial careers education programme. The curriculum is likely to take account of pupils’ different ages, abilities and their special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities.  British values and the protected characteristics, as identified in the Equality Act 2010, are planned to be addressed across the curriculum areas, as well as through the appropriately planned personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education programme, as detailed in Part 2.  An appropriate, bespoke assessment system has been planned. Pupils’ personal and

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Main inspection findings

academic progress will be carefully tracked over time, and teachers will use this in liaison with healthcare staff to help facilitate pupils’ learning and recovery.  The school is likely to be very well resourced and staffed.  Suitable arrangements are in place to monitor the quality of teaching and assessment.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The school’s PSHE programme is comprehensively planned and includes topics such as ‘values that bind us’, ‘equality and fairness’ and ‘tolerance and extremism’ which are organised and resourced to ensure balanced coverage of the range of British values. Pupils will learn about a range of religions, cultures and beliefs, including through a calendar of events.  Leaders have developed appropriate policies and plans which outline a clear

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Main inspection findings

commitment to the promotion of equality, including to all of the protected characteristics.  The school’s code of conduct for staff makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan views and that balanced viewpoints must always be presented in the teaching of all subjects.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders are fully aware of their safeguarding duties, including in relation to the ‘Prevent’ duty. The school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance and will be made available on the school’s website when it launches in September 2018. Those with responsibility for safeguarding have completed an appropriately enhanced level of safeguarding training. Arrangements for staff induction, training and regular updates and checks on their understanding are likely to ensure that pupils

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Main inspection findings

are kept as safe as possible. The school’s proposed system for recording concerns, referrals and any actions taken is likely to be appropriate.  The school’s behaviour, anti-bullying and first aid policies are likely to meet requirements. They have been appropriately developed with pupils’ specific health needs in mind.  The school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The fire safety systems and equipment were newly upgraded in April 2018. All the appropriate checks are being completed and appropriately logged by the on-site health and safety officer.  The school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies are likely to meet the requirements in that they clearly and robustly identify how best to minimise identified risks. Risk assessments of the premises, classrooms, learning activities and pupils themselves are thorough and likely to meet all requirements.

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Main inspection findings

 Admission and attendance registers will be kept electronically using the required codes and including all the necessary information.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The vast majority of staff have been employed, including the head of school and teachers. All their required vetting checks have been completed and recorded accurately on the school’s single central register (SCR) of checks, which is likely to meet requirements. Details of the checks undertaken on the Priory group’s proprietors and senior managers are also included on the SCR.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school’s premises consist of two main classrooms within the hospital building.

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Main inspection findings

Pupils will attend the school from their bedrooms and communal areas.  The recently refurbished premises are likely to be safe, clean and well maintained.  The school’s proposed health and safety policy is likely to meet requirements and to be implemented well.  The hospital is a secure provision and monitored by a security surveillance system, which includes coverage of all classrooms. Pupils will always be accompanied by healthcare staff during lessons.  Pupils’ en-suite bedrooms, and the hospital’s medical facilities, are likely to ensure compliance with all the standards related to toilets, showers, changing facilities and short-term care for sick and injured pupils.  There are suitable and appropriately labelled drinking water supplies available to pupils.  The acoustic features, sound insulation, regulated hot water supplies and internal and external lights are all suitable.  There are two appropriate secure outdoor spaces for physical education and

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Main inspection findings

recreation.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  All the required policies and information are currently available in hard copy and will be made available on the school’s website, which is currently being developed.  The school’s intended progress report template, which will be written every six weeks, is likely to meet requirements.  Leaders are aware of their duty to provide local authorities with annual statements of income and expenditure for funded pupils with education, health and care (EHC) plans.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if this school is registered. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The school’s proposed complaints procedure is likely to meet requirements.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to

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Main inspection findings

be met if this school is registered. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders have thoroughly and effectively planned the opening of this hospital school.  All the independent school standards are likely to be met and pupils’ well-being is likely to be assured if High Wycombe Hospital School is registered as an independent school. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have developed an acceptable accessibility plan.  The requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are therefore likely to be met.

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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

Type of school Hospital day school School status Independent special school Proprietor Priory Education Services Ltd

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proposal

Inspector’s 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 Up to 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable All pupils

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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 Up to 12

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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 Up to 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 2

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Information about this proposed school

 High Wycombe Hospital School intends to register as an independent special school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It is not currently operating and has never done so.  The school intends to offer co-educational day places to the pupils aged 11 to 18 who are admitted for support with their special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities.  The school intends to open in September 2018.  The school will be managed and governed by the Priory group. The school will be led by an executive headteacher and head of school.  Leaders wish to register the school to cater for 11- to 18-year-olds, not 13- to 18-year- olds, as per the original application.

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Information about this inspection

 This is the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The 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.  The inspection was conducted with two days of notice.  The inspector conducted the inspection with the executive headteacher. He also spoke with the managing director by telephone and met with the hospital’s health and safety officer.  The inspector considered a wide range of evidence to check the likelihood of the school meeting all of the independent school standards. As examples, he toured the premises, reviewed key documents and policies and considered the school’s proposed curriculum.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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

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Inspection team

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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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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