Fairfield House School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s webpage on the Fairfield Residential website includes a detailed safeguarding policy. The last recorded review of this policy was in May 2018, with the next review being scheduled for May 2019. This policy was evaluated in the previous material change inspection in July 2018 and found to be suitable. However, the government’s guidance, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, was reissued in September 2018. The school’s published policy does not fully reflect the latest version of this guidance. For example, the policy names the previous version of the guidance a number of times and does not include the required details about the school’s approach to any instances of peer-on-peer abuse, including sexting. While staff training on the new guidance has been completed and the headteacher reported that the policy is currently

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Main inspection findings

being reviewed, the policy document available to parents and carers is not fully up to date.  Leaders have not ensured that standards that require the school’s safeguarding policy to reflect the Secretary of State’s guidance are met. They have to ensure that the standards requiring the safeguarding policy to be made available to parents are met. Paragraphs 11 12, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  At the time of the previous material change inspection, the arrangements at the farm site for health and safety, including fire safety, were not suitable. The information available to help staff to manage risks that could affect pupils was not good enough.  Leaders have ensured that the health and safety arrangements at the farm site have been improved. Risk assessment has been strengthened and fire safety properly considered.  Leaders have reviewed and rewritten the risk assessment document for the farm to provide more specific details. The school has addressed specific problems seen at the

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Main inspection findings

previous material change inspection. For example, the kettle was left empty and the broken electric cooker had been removed from the classroom. In addition, the headteacher confirmed the school’s commitment to a minimum of one-to-one supervision for all pupils. This close supervision means that any risks not explicitly considered in the risk assessment document are likely to be identified should they arise. This, in turn, allows staff to manage and minimise any such risks. While the risk assessment document is now fit for purpose, leaders missed the opportunity to strengthen the document even further. Additional details about traffic movement on the farm site and extra consideration of how the school should respond to adults not linked directly to pupils’ education being present at or near to the farm were not included.  Leaders check fire equipment weekly and record that all is in order. A fire extinguisher is

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Main inspection findings

appropriately located in the classroom. A new smoke detector has been installed in the small additional classroom a little distance from the farm buildings (the ‘pod’).  Health and safety have been strengthened further by leaders providing additional details in the health and safety policy for the farm site. This provides helpful information for members of staff.  Leaders have ensured that these standards are now met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23, 23(1)(a), 28(1), 28(1)(c) and 28(1)(d)  At the time of the previous material change inspection, the arrangements at the farm site for a toilet for pupils’ use and for handwashing and to provide drinking water were not appropriate.  Leaders have clearly identified which toilet at the farm site is available for pupils’ sole use. The washing facilities at the farm site have been improved and are now suitable because these are supplied with hot and cold water. The temperature of the hot water is

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Main inspection findings

controlled so that the risk of scalding is reduced. Staff check the hot water temperature regularly.  Leaders have installed a sign confirming that the cold water available in the classroom is suitable for use as drinking water. Because the water in the medical room may not be suitable to drink, leaders have provided a supply of bottled water in there.  Leaders have ensured that these standards are now met. Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  At the time of the previous material change inspection, the medical room arrangements at the farm site were not suitable.  Leaders have now identified a room suitable for use as a medical room and provided it with a bed. This room is adjacent to the pupils’ toilet. The washing facilities in this room are now supplied with hot and cold water. While the medical room is also available as room for cleaning equipment and some horticultural tasks – during this inspection small

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Main inspection findings

bulbs were laid out ready to be potted – it is not used for teaching.  Leaders have ensured that these standards are now met. Paragraph 25  While staff have successfully addressed the maintenance issues identified at the farm site during the previous material change inspection, ongoing maintenance requirements at the main school site have not been completed well enough. A damaged corridor floor surface in the school has been replaced since that inspection. However, that job has not been finished. There are gaps across the door thresholds between the new and old floors. These present a trip hazard. In addition, a wooden edging strip to the floor is loose. This could be easily pulled up and then become dangerous because nails could protrude. The pupils’ toilet at the school has sustained some damage to one wall. At the time of this inspection, this damage was covered with a fairly large panel of loose

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Main inspection findings

plywood. The panel can be moved easily, giving access to the damaged wall and becoming a potential hazard itself. Further, the finger protection on the toilet door is broken and has not been removed or replaced, and the electrical extractor fan in the toilet appears to be poorly fixed to the ceiling.  The medical room in the school is properly equipped and has a suitable washing facility. However, the toilet adjacent to the medical room has not worked for some time and is awaiting repair. This means that, while access to a toilet from the medical room remains relatively easy, the available toilet is not as near as possible. The floor in a small corridor next to the medical room lacks a proper covering.  The school’s systems for following up identified maintenance issues do not work as well as possible or ensure that maintenance is completed in a timely way.  Leaders have not ensured that these standards are met.

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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) and 34(1)(c)  These standards were unmet at the time of the previous inspection because other standards were not met.  Leaders have successfully addressed the deficiencies at the farm site identified at the previous material change inspection. However, the current inspection identified unmet independent school standards relating to how well the school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest national guidance and maintenance at the school. The unmet standards concern the welfare of pupils.  Leaders have not ensured that these standards are met.

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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.

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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 management@fairfieldresidential.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16–17 May 2017

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Information about this school

 Fairfield House is a small special school for pupils with autism spectrum disorder, severe learning difficulties, complex health needs and challenging behaviours. It is located in the north west of England. The school is owned and operated by Fairfield Residential.  The school is housed in purpose-built premises. It has two small classrooms, a garden, toilet facilities and a medical room.  The school uses the Fairfield farm project for off-site provision for pupils. The farm is located approximately six miles away from the school and is also owned and run by Fairfield Residential.  The farm has a small classroom that is adjacent to the pupils’ toilet and the medical room, a wooden building currently used as an art workshop, and a wood-clad temporary building with a small kitchen, living area, two bedrooms, and a shower and toilet room. Outside, there is a garden area that also has cages for small animals and poultry and a

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Information about this school

sheltered space of living willow, fields for donkeys and calves, and grassed areas for recreation and access to other fields.  The school is registered for up to five pupils between the ages of eight and 19 years.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan in relation to their autism spectrum disorder and associated special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The school was last inspected by Ofsted in May 2017.  The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the Department for Education (DfE), which is 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 material change inspection.  It was the first progress monitoring inspection since the material change inspection that was completed in July 2018. Following that inspection, the DfE required the school to prepare an action plan. This was evaluated by Ofsted in September 2018. The action plan was accepted by the DfE.  The inspection was completed without prior notice to the school.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher and two representatives of the proprietor. The inspector toured the school and the farm used by the school, accompanied by the headteacher.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector scrutinised the school’s safeguarding policy and other documents and viewed the school’s webpage on Fairfield Residential’s website.  The inspector observed staff and pupils working together.

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Inspection team

David Selby, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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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

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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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; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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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

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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.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 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.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.  23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils;  24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including– – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility;  24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).  28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 28(1)(c) cold water supplies that are suitable for drinking are clearly marked as such; and – 28(1)(d) the temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users

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The school has continued to meet the following independent school standards

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request; 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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The school has continued to meet the following independent school standards

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The school has continued to meet the following independent school standards

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The school has continued to meet the following independent school standards

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The school has continued to meet the following independent school standards

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The school has continued to meet the following independent school standards

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The school has continued to meet the following independent school standards

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

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