Lamledge School

School material change inspection report

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Hillcrest Shifnal School Lamledge Lane, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8SD

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(i), 3, 3(i)  The curriculum policies show that leaders have designed the key stage 1 curriculum to meet the individual needs of pupils, in particular the diverse range of pupils’ needs upon entry to the school.  Senior leaders have ensured that the proposed schemes of work are detailed and relevant to meet the needs of pupils. Teachers plan to use prior assessment information to produce individual pupil profiles and action plans to decide the level of study each pupil should complete.  Curriculum documents are designed to ensure that pupils are likely to have a good understanding of British values. For example, through personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, pupils will be able to contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and further afield, through

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Main inspection findings

fundraising and community events. Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 3(a)  The school’s curriculum policies and schemes of work are likely to ensure that pupils in key stage 1 develop their knowledge, skills and understanding across a wide range of appropriate subjects. Leaders propose that pupils will experience mathematical and linguistic activities and tasks alongside scientific, creative, technological, social and physical development.  The curriculum is likely to ensure that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills appropriate for their age and abilities. This is likely to enable them to make good progress so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught. Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 3(j)  The school’s PSHE education curriculum complements the school’s aims and ethos. The proposed curriculum for key stage 1 pupils builds upon the school’s existing

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Main inspection findings

curriculum for older pupils, preparing them well for life in modern Britain. For example, they are likely to learn about diversity and the dangers of stereotyping others. Pupils are likely to develop their knowledge and understanding of different forms of bullying and how they might most effectively respond to them. In an age- appropriate manner, the schemes of work are likely to help pupils to understand the importance of respecting other people. Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii)  Older pupils will continue to receive impartial and accurate careers guidance from existing staff at the school. Pupils in Years 1 and 2 are likely to receive appropriate aspirational guidance about future careers and independent living. Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g)  The proposed schemes of work, policies and procedures provide for all pupils to

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Main inspection findings

acquire knowledge and skills across all subjects they study. Leaders propose that pupils will complete their studies according to their ability level. Teachers will use prior attainment information to provide appropriate support to ensure that pupils make the progress they should. Leaders have ensured that there is a comprehensive assessment framework in place to monitor the progress that pupils make in a wide range of subjects. Paragraph 3, 3(h)  Alongside existing pupils, senior leaders and staff will closely monitor the behaviour of key stage 1 pupils in the classroom and around the school. The school’s existing behaviour policy outlines the school’s aims and how specific rewards and sanctions should be used by all staff. Current records show that incidents of inappropriate behaviour and bullying are managed well by the school, and that pupils respond well to the staff’s high expectations of behaviour and attitudes to learning.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 4  As with other pupils in the school, parents and carers of pupils in key stage 1 are likely to receive a termly written report that will provide them with information regarding the progress their children have made in their learning and in their personal and social development. In addition, leaders propose that there will be regular opportunities for parents to discuss pupils’ progress.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards in this part if it receives approval for the implementation of the material change. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  Through its well-planned and integrated curriculum the school will actively continue to promote an understanding of the democratic process, the rule of law, individual

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Main inspection findings

liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Recent elections to the school council, the emphasis upon personal responsibility in the school’s behaviour policy and the study of a range of different faiths and cultures exemplify the school’s practice.  Given the nature of challenges faced by pupils admitted to the school, there is considerable emphasis upon developing confidence and self-esteem. Pupils currently at the school understand the difference between right and wrong and the impact of their behaviour on others. There are effective links with the local community and other schools, helping pupils to understand how they can work with others and make a valued contribution.  The PSHE education curriculum enables pupils to respect public institutions, and other people, having regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act.  There is a very clear procedure in place to ensure that reasonable steps are taken to

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Main inspection findings

ensure that where political issues are brought to the attention of pupils they are offered a balance of opposing views. Posters displayed for candidates in the recent elections for the school council exhibited a range of views.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards in this part if it receives approval for the material change. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b) and Part 6 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date and available on the school’s website. The policy complies with current government safeguarding guidance. There are clear procedures for staff to follow should they have a concern relating to the welfare of a pupil. Staff are aware of these procedures and have followed them to good effect in the past.  Staff have received relevant safeguarding training in a wide range of areas, including recognition of the signs of female genital mutilation, neglect, radicalisation and

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Main inspection findings

extremism. A daily safeguarding update keeps staff fully informed of any welfare concerns regarding pupils. These updates enable staff to prepare strategies to support pupils, should the need arise.  Pupils receive a wide range of opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe and are encouraged to share concerns with their class teacher. The comprehensive PSHE education curriculum provides opportunities, for example, for pupils to discuss the impact of their behaviour on others and to learn about online safety.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)  The proprietor has ensured that senior leaders demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate for their roles. Leaders intend that existing good practice

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Main inspection findings

throughout the school will be shared with the colleagues leading the proposed key stage 1. Appropriate schemes of work and assessment procedures have been adopted for the proposed pupils starting in key stage 1. There are links with other local schools and an external improvement partner who will help to moderate pupils’ work and hold the leaders to account for the actions they take.  The proprietor and senior leaders have undertaken a range of activities to ensure that the school promotes pupils’ well-being. There are frequent opportunities for pupils to learn how to keep themselves safe and become responsible citizens through the comprehensive PSHE education curriculum. All staff have undertaken appropriate safeguarding training and are clear regarding the procedures to follow should they have a concern regarding pupils’ welfare.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards in this part

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Main inspection findings

if the school receives approval for the material change. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Main inspection findings

 The school meets the requirements of paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010, as accessibility planning is in place.

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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 likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £55,000 to £87,000 dependent on need

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School details

Website www.hillcrestchildrenservices.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 5–7 June 2018

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 42 55 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils 43 55 of compulsory school age Number of part-time pupils 0 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 43 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 39 55

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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 43 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 18 18

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 29 29

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Information about this school

 Hillcrest Shifnal School is an independent day school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and additional learning needs. It is located in Shropshire close to Telford.  There are currently 43 pupils on roll aged between 7 and 19. The school is part of a larger organisation called Hillcrest Children’s Services, which provides therapeutic schools and services across the country. The parent company also operates a clinical psychology service from the same site (but not the same premises) and this is accessible to the school when required.  The majority of pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.  The school is currently registered for up to 55 pupils from ages 6 to 19 and wishes to extend the age range to accommodate pupils from 5 to 19. All pupils are placed at the school by local authorities  The school is organised into a primary, secondary and a small sixth-form department.

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Information about this school

Additional pupils will be included within the primary department.  The school uses two registered alternative providers to deliver aspects of the curriculum. These are Nova Training, which provides functional skills courses, and Wyldwoods, which provides outdoor therapeutic activities.  The previous standard inspection of the school was in June 2018, when overall effectiveness was judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE commissioned the inspection to consider the school’s application to make a material change to its registration. The proprietor wishes to include provision for pupils in key stage 1, aged between 5 and 7. Children below compulsory school age will not be admitted.  The registration authority for independent schools commissioned the inspector to inspect the quality of the school’s education relating to the key stage 1 pupils that the school wishes to admit.  The inspector met with the interim headteacher, in the absence of the substantive headteacher, the deputy headteacher, and undertook a tour of the school. A meeting was also held with a representative of the proprietor. The inspector scrutinised documentation relating to the curriculum, teaching and learning, assessment, behaviour and the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils.  The school’s safeguarding arrangements were inspected. The inspector scrutinised the

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Information about this inspection

single central record, the school’s safeguarding policy and associated policies and systems for keeping pupils safe.

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Inspection team

Michael Onyon, 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

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 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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