Reddish Hall School

Reddish Hall School Denstone Road, Reddish, Stockport, Cheshire SK5 6RN

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school has a safeguarding policy that follows the government’s current guidance. It is detailed and up to date. Parents and others may view it on the school’s website.  The designated safeguarding lead ensures that reports and records of concerns in connection with the safeguarding of pupils are detailed and thorough. She takes prompt action and makes timely referrals to external agencies, such as children’s services, as appropriate. She also liaises with parents where appropriate. She is assiduous in pursuing issues with external agencies when necessary.  The school’s required record of checks on the suitability of members of staff is detailed and complies with the government’s guidelines.  The standards in these paragraphs are met. Paragraph 12, 25  The proprietor has commissioned an external specialist company to carry out a

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Main inspection findings

thorough fire risk assessment every three years. The most recent one took place in September 2018. The risk assessment covers a wide range of focuses, including checks on sources of ignition, combustible materials and means of escape. Leaders act promptly in response to any recommendations.  School leaders carry out their own risk assessment every year, using the externally commissioned assessment as a framework. They act promptly if required.  Leaders ensure that there are frequent tests of the school’s fire protection systems. For example, the fire alarm system is checked every week and a written record is kept, which includes a column to note any concerns should they arise.  Fire evacuation drills take place at least every six months. Leaders keep a log of these, including the time taken for all pupils, staff and visitors to leave the building and gather at the muster points. This is typically two minutes or under. There is a

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Main inspection findings

clear fire evacuation plan in place. The inspector spoke with some pupils and members of staff. All had very secure knowledge about how to evacuate the building in an emergency.  Leaders have appointed and trained a group of staff as fire marshals. They have specific duties, such as ensuring that nobody has been left behind in the building during an emergency evacuation.  Leaders manage the school premises effectively. All escape routes are clear of obstacles and have suitable signage, which is often illuminated. Pupils can open fire exit doors without the presence of an adult if necessary. There are sufficient fire extinguishers for the size of the building, and leaders arrange to have them serviced every year. Leaders successfully maintain the building to a high standard and thus ensure the health and safety of pupils and others who work in or visit the school.  The standards in these paragraphs are met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have a clear accessibility policy that commits them to improving accessibility to the school over time for pupils with disabilities. There is also a suitable plan that details how leaders will do this. There are appropriate, measurable actions to ensure that they increase participation in the curriculum for pupils with disabilities. They also have strategies to improve these pupils’ access to the learning environment and to relevant information. It is reviewed annually.  The requirement in this part is met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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. 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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 1

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School details

Email address info@reddishhallschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 22–24 November 2016

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Information about this school

 Reddish Hall School is a co-educational school catering for pupils aged 5 to 18 years with complex emotional and educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviour. However, there are no post-16 pupils on roll at present.  The school is part of the Acorn Care and Education Group, which has its headquarters in Bolton.  Reddish Hall School is registered for 80 pupils, with the number currently on roll being 64 pupils.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  No pupils attend any off-site alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE requested that Ofsted conduct an emergency inspection to report against paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 12, 25, 32(1) and 32(1)(c) of the independent school standards. This is because leaders did not respond to fire survey questions issued to all independent schools on 18 July 2017. The school has been selected as part of a sample of schools that have not responded.  As part of the emergency inspection, the DfE requested that the inspector check that the height of the school building does not exceed 18 metres. It does not.  The inspector examined the school’s policies and other documents relating to safeguarding, including the single central record of checks on members of staff. He also examined the school’s fire risk assessment folder and related documentation.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher and two members of staff responsible for the management of the school premises. He spoke with the

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Information about this inspection

designated lead for safeguarding in the school. He also spoke with some pupils and other members of staff about fire evacuation procedures in school.  Accompanied by the headteacher, the inspector carried out a detailed inspection of the school premises.  The inspector checked the school’s website to ensure that the proprietor complies with the requirement to publish the school’s safeguarding policy.

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Inspection team

Mark Quinn, 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

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