Schools & FE · Independent school inspection
The Hall School
Summary
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- Inspection date verified
27 Sept 2018
- Inspectors verified
James Waite
- Postcode verified
HA6 2RB
- Name on report verified
The Hall School
- URN verified
102455
Deep dive
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Tone of the report
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Reads more critically than most reports of this type.
How the report reads, start to finish
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Strengths
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No standout praise found.
Concerns
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- During routine checks on the implementation of safeguarding procedures, the inspector identified a concerning lack of rigour in the follow up of concerns raised by staff. p.1
- As a result, this standard is still not met. p.2
- 34(1)(c) is additionally not met because of the safeguarding failings identified in part 3. p.3
- Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain unmet at this inspection p.7
Next steps
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- 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. p.4
- This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. p.4
- Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection. p.4
What the report dwells on
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Progress & outcomes5
“School progress monitoring inspection report” p.1
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 10
- Words of findings
- 1,784
- about usual (typical 1813)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 44, typical 49
- Average sentence
- 23 words
- Next steps
- 3
- typical 8
- Hedged sentences
- 5%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
School progress monitoring inspection report
p.1
The Hall School The Grange, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood HA6 2RB
p.1
Main inspection findings
Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c) At the previous inspection, changes to statutory guidance had not been implemented. This inspection confirmed that staff have completed training this term in relation to the latest statutory guidance, ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (2018). However, the safeguarding policy on the website is still the policy dated January 2018, which does not meet the requirements. Leaders could not provide the inspector with a suitably updated policy during the inspection. During routine checks on the implementation of safeguarding procedures, the inspector identified a concerning lack of rigour in the follow up of concerns raised by staff. This puts pupils at risk. As a result, 7(b) continues to be judged as unmet and 7(a) is now additionally judged as unmet. Paragraph 10 At the previous inspection, there was no anti-bullying strategy in place.
p.1
Main inspection findings
This inspection confirmed there is now an appropriate anti-bullying policy in place. It outlines clearly for parents and carers the school’s approach to dealing with bullying and to the school’s use of exclusion. This standard is now met. Paragraph 11 At the previous inspection, the proprietor had not ensured that assessment of substances that could be hazardous to health were completed annually in line with the school’s health and safety policy. This inspection confirmed that the deputy headteacher has completed ‘control of substances hazardous to health’ (COSHH) training and included a review of such substances as part of the most recent annual risk assessment. All such substances, which include cleaning products only, are kept locked away from pupils at all times. This standard is now met. Paragraph 15 At the previous inspection, leaders were not recording with sufficient rigour the destinations of pupils who had left the school, as required by the latest statutory
p.1
Main inspection findings
guidance. This inspection confirmed that there has been some progress towards meeting this standard, as destinations are now recorded in the admission register. However, they are not recorded in full and there are gaps. Additionally, pupils’ previous schools are not recorded at all. As a result, this standard is still not met. Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are now met.
p.2
Main inspection findings
Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(3), 21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4) At the previous inspection, the single central register of vetting checks on staff did not meet requirements because some of the checks were not being undertaken and recorded in line with the latest statutory guidance. This inspection confirmed that all the required checks are being undertaken on staff. As a result, these standards are now met. However, upkeep of the single central register is not taken seriously enough. There are gaps, formatting issues and checks undertaken on new staff have not been input fully. Though the standards in this part are met, leaders must ensure that this important document is completed accurately and kept up to date. Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are now
p.2
Main inspection findings
Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1), 32(1)(b), 32(3), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(c), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e) At the previous inspection, some of the required policies and information were not made available to parents. This inspection confirmed that all the required policies and information are available for parents on the school’s website. However, leaders have not made available particulars of the school’s academic performance during the preceding school year. As a result, paragraph 32(3)(e) is the only standard which remains unmet in this part. Leaders have not ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c) At the time of the previous inspection, this standard (34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)) was not met because leaders had not ensured that all the independent school standards had
p.2
Main inspection findings
been met. This inspection confirmed that this standard remains unmet because leaders have not taken enough action to ensure that all the independent school standards are now met. 34(1)(c) is additionally not met because of the safeguarding failings identified in part 3.
p.3
Main inspection findings
Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 At the previous inspection, there was no accessibility plan in place. This inspection confirmed that this is a ‘work in progress’ and there is still no plan in place.
p.3
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.
p.4
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.
p.5
School details
Annual fees (day pupils) £9,300 to £9,900
p.5
School details
Date of previous standard inspection 27 February–1 March 2018
p.5
Information about this school
The Hall School provides education for pupils aged one to seven. There are five classes: the baby room, pre-school, Nursery, Reception and a key stage 1 class. The provision in the baby room, for children under two years old but taught alongside the youngest two- year-olds, is the subject of separate inspection arrangements (the baby unit was last inspected in November 2013). The school is situated in a residential area of Northwood in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The building the school occupies, The Grange, is a grade 1 and 2 listed building. It is rented from a company which also uses it in the evenings and at weekends for community meetings and for functions. The school’s last inspection was a full standard inspection in March 2018.
p.5
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. In March 2018, a full standard inspection of the school judged it to require improvement and found that some of the independent school standards were unmet. The school submitted an action plan. Ofsted’s review of this plan, in July 2018, judged it to be not acceptable. This inspection was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection and was conducted without notice. The inspection focused on the school’s progress against specific requirements within Parts 3, 4, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards. The inspector conducted the inspection in collaboration with the proprietor, who is also
p.6
Information about this inspection
the headteacher, and the deputy headteacher. The inspector toured the premises and scrutinised a range of relevant documentation, including that relating to safeguarding and health and safety. The inspection took into the account the 28 recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey (Parent View).
p.6
Inspection team
James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector
p.6
The school does not meet the following independent school standards
Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain unmet at this inspection
p.7
Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils
7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that: – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. 15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.
p.7
Part 6. Provision of information
32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is: – 32(3)(e) particulars of the school’s academic performance during the preceding school year, including the results of any public examinations.
p.7
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.
p.7
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
p.7
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.
p.7
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)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.
p.7
Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils
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. 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.
p.8
Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors
18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub-paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment. 21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question. 21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is: – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether: – 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction; – 21(3)(a)(vii) a check of S’s right to work in the United Kingdom was made; and – 21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e),
p.8
Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors
including the date on which each such check was completed or the certificate obtained; and – 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff ("S"), whether a check was made to establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed. 21(4) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation to each member of staff in post on 1st August 2007 who was appointed at any time before 1st May 2007, whether each check referred to in sub-paragraph (3) was made and whether an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained, together with the date on which any check was completed or certificate obtained.
p.8
Part 6. Provision of information
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 Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate. 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)(c) particulars of the policy referred to in paragraph 2; – 32(3)(d) particulars of arrangements for meeting the standards contained in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 13. 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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Part 6. Provision of information
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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Part 6. Provision of information
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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Part 6. Provision of information
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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Part 6. Provision of information
If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .
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Part 6. Provision of information
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Part 6. Provision of information
T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk
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