Cumberland School

School material change inspection report

p.1

Cumberland School Church Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire PR5 6EP

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date and reflects the latest statutory guidance.  All staff have undertaken safeguarding training. Senior staff ensure that staff are aware of all aspects of key statutory guidance on safeguarding such ‘Keeping children safe in education’, 2018.  The school has high-quality recruitment procedures in place to ensure the suitability of any appointed staff to work with children.  Leaders ensure that thorough arrangements are in place to support the welfare, health and safety of pupils. Paragraph 11 and 12  A detailed health and safety policy is in place and references a broad range of other safeguarding documents. Together, they provide enough detail to ensure that staff comply with relevant laws.  Health and safety reviews ensure that health and safety requirements are met.  The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

p.1

Main inspection findings

2005. Work to check the safety of electrical installations and equipment is detailed and comprehensive. Portable appliance testing is undertaken on an annual basis and equipment is checked regularly.  Maintenance of firefighting equipment (such as fire extinguishers and the fire alarm) is undertaken annually. During the inspection, paperwork was provided to confirm that such checks have been made.  The fire risk assessment shows that the premises comply with regulations and meet the required standards.  Fire routes are free from clutter and are clearly visible. Lighting and clear signage is in place. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The high staff-to-pupil ratio means that staff supervise pupils well throughout the school day, both in the building and around the school site.  The proprietor has a detailed risk assessment policy. Additionally, risk assessments exist for a range of other educational purposes, including curriculum and extra-

p.1

Main inspection findings

curricular activities, fire risk assessments and safeguarding of individual pupils. Leaders use their risk assessments well to identify hazards and to plan and take actions to reduce potential risks.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)  Leaders ensure that there are suitable toilet facilities for the use of pupils. They are in individual cubicles provided with suitable locks. There is an adequate number for both boys and girls.  Toilets are for the sole use of the pupils. An appropriate number of toilets are accessible to boys and girls who have physical disabilities.  The school has appropriate single-sex changing and showering facilities for both boys and girls to use following physical education.  Provision is in place for the medical examination and treatment of pupils and for the

p.2

Main inspection findings

short-term care of sick and injured pupils. Paragraph 25, 26  The proprietor maintains the school buildings to a suitable standard. Paragraph 27  Classrooms are well lit and there is external lighting to ensure that the premises are safe to access and leave after dark. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Pupils have access to drinking water. There are clear labels on drinking water facilities.  Washing facilities are available for all pupils. Hot water of a suitable temperature is available for hand washing.  The temperature of hot water does not pose a scalding risk to users. The site managers carry out regular checks on water temperature. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  There is a wide range of outdoor space for pupils to play in. The school has extensive grounds for sporting use.  The proprietor ensures that there is provision for physical education in accordance

p.2

Main inspection findings

with the curriculum and is suitable for both boys and girls.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Persons with leadership and management responsibility in school demonstrate strong skills and knowledge appropriate to their roles.  Leaders have a detailed understanding of how vulnerable the pupils are and, therefore, all leaders and staff are extremely vigilant about safeguarding.  Detailed provision is in place to support all aspects of pupils’ well-being.  The proprietor and headteacher are aware of how vulnerable pupils at Cumberland School are. As a result, they prioritise the welfare, health and safety of these pupils and vigilance is high. Leaders demonstrate clear expertise in meeting the needs of pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is

p.3

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 are relevant to the material change.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £49,947 to £85,266

p.5

School details

Website https://witherslackgroup.co.uk/cumberland- school Email address donna.rothwell@witherslackgroup.co.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 26–28 June 2018

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 80 96 96

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 80 96

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 80 96

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 80 96

p.6

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 80 96

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 27 27

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 34 34

p.6

Information about this school

 Cumberland School is a co-educational day school providing full-time education for 76 pupils. Since June 2017, the school has operated on two sites.  The schools last standard inspection took place on 26–28 June 2018  Bridge campus is at Bamber Bridge, near Preston. It currently caters for pupils who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated complex needs. Beacon campus is approximately 16 miles away at Rivington, Horwich. It caters for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH). There are no post-16 pupils on the school roll at present.  Each campus is managed on a day-to-day basis by a head of education. The proprietor has overall responsibility for both sites.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Just over one third of current pupils are in the care of their local authorities.  The school is owned by the Witherslack Group, a national organisation which owns

p.6

Information about this school

and runs 16 schools and 22 children’s homes.  The school uses no alternative provision.

p.7

Information about this inspection

 The material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) because the school requested to name the Rivington campus as the main school site. Currently, the Bamber Bridge campus is the main site.  The DfE requested that Ofsted conduct a material change inspection to report against Part 3, paragraphs 11, 12, 16; Part 5 and Part 8, paragraph 34.  This is the school’s first material change inspection.  The inspector toured the premises being used by the school, accompanied by the senior leaders and the site manager. The inspector checked the suitability of the premises against the relevant independent school standards.  The inspector scrutinised a range of school documents and policies to promote the health, well-being and safety of pupils, including the school’s safeguarding policy.  The inspector met with the head of schools to discuss all aspects of the material change proposal.

p.8

Information about this inspection

 The inspector met with the designated leads for safeguarding to discuss safeguarding provision in relation to the material change.  The inspector examined the school’s website to ensure that proprietors are complying with the requirements to publish information. The proprietor ensures that the necessary documentation is made available to parents and carers through the website.  The inspector scrutinised the single central record.

p.8

Inspection team

Simon Hunter, 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 .

p.8

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.

p.9

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 .

p.9

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.

p.9

Inspection team

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 .

p.9

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.9