Heckington House School

School material change inspection report

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Build-a-Future Independent School Build-A-Future, Main Street, West Ashby, Lincolnshire LN9 5PT

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has established a set of policies and operational procedures, including those related to the management of behaviour, anti-bullying, attendance and the use of safe restraint. Where appropriate, minor amendments have been made to details within policies to ensure relevance to the new Boston site. The school’s arrangements for the implementation of policies and record-keeping meet statutory requirements.  The school’s safeguarding policy has been updated to reflect the latest 2018 government guidance. The safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers through the school’s website.  A designated safeguarding lead has been trained and appointed to the role at the Boston site. All staff have received appropriate safeguarding training and firm arrangements are in place for regular updating of their training. Existing

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Main inspection findings

arrangements for governance have been extended to include safeguarding oversight at the Boston site.  The school’s curriculum for personal and social development will be part of the timetable for all pupils. This includes appropriate themes, for example related to knife crime, sexual exploitation and inappropriate use of the internet.  The school’s policies for all aspects of health and safety have been extended to cover requirements related to the new site. Arrangements are in place for the training of fire marshals, regular site evacuations and routine checks on fire safety equipment. The proprietor has established suitable arrangements for external contractor checks on services and equipment throughout the new school site.  Additional policies provide thorough arrangements for first aid, the assessment of risk and the recording of admissions and attendance. Senior leaders have prepared risk assessments for all aspects of health and safety, including individual pupil risk

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Main inspection findings

assessments, relevant to the new site.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The premises consist of farm buildings previously converted for use as an alternative educational provision for secondary-aged pupils. The main building consists of a number of teaching spaces arranged around an indoor recreation area. The proprietors have carried out some minor refurbishment work and decorated the premises throughout.  There are sufficient teaching spaces to accommodate the school’s planned curriculum, including English, mathematics, science, computing, personal and social development and sports theory. Senior leaders have plans for further refurbishment work to

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Main inspection findings

reconfigure existing teaching spaces and provide a larger sports hall. The premises include additional teaching spaces for art and photography, hairdressing, construction and horticulture, together with a large kitchen and dining room which will also be used to provide vocational lessons in catering and hospitality.  There is sufficient outside space for play and recreation and horticulture teaching. The school will use the facilities of a local leisure centre for physical education until refurbishment work is completed on-site.  There are sufficient separate toilet facilities for girls, boys and staff. The school’s plan for further refurbishment includes the provision of additional toilets and extended changing facilities and showers. The existing facilities meet the requirements of the independent school standards and further refurbishment will enhance the quality of provision.  The premises are fully fenced and secure. Reception arrangements are managed from

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Main inspection findings

the school office and ensure secure entry. The premises meet all requirements related to acoustics, lighting and provision of hot and cold water and labelled drinking water.  The accommodation includes an appropriately fitted and located medical room with facilities for the short-term care of any pupil who may be unwell.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The school’s proprietors provide governance for the existing school, including the appraisal of the headteacher, and these arrangements will be extended to include the new site. The proprietors are currently in the process of increasing the number of governors to extend the range of experience and expertise available to support and hold senior leaders to account.  The proprietors and senior leaders demonstrate a good understanding of arrangements required to meet the independent school standards.  The governors and senior leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to fulfil its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £65–£190 per day

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 13 to 16 13 to 16 13 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 61 125 125

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 40 125

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 61 125

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 32 Up to 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 32 Up to 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 30 34

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision N/A N/A

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Information about this school

 Build-a-Future is located in the village of West Ashby, near Horncastle in Lincolnshire. It opened as a registered independent special school in September 2018. The school admits boys and girls in the age range of 13 to 16 years.  The school is currently registered to admit up to 65 full-time pupils with social, emotional and mental health conditions, autistic spectrum disorder and associated behavioural difficulties. It provides for pupils who are excluded, or at risk of exclusion, from mainstream schools.  The school does not use the services of any alternative providers.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to the school’s request to increase its pupil numbers from 65 to 125 full-time pupils.  In response to an increased demand for places by the placing authority, Lincolnshire County Council, the school has requested a material change to open an additional site. The additional site is located in the village of Hubberts Bridge, near Boston.  The proprietor proposes to admit up to 60 additional full-time pupils to the new site.  This was the school’s first material change inspection.  The inspector visited all parts of the proposed new premises and accommodation. He discussed the school’s proposed provision and its relationship with the existing site at West Ashby with the headteacher and the proprietor.  The inspector scrutinised school policies, procedures and records to check the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards. He discussed any

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Information about this inspection

amendments to existing school documents with the headteacher.

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Inspection team

David Young, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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