The Llewellyn School and Nursery

School material change inspection report

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The Llewellyn School and Nursery Annexe No 11 Cliffe Avenue, Westbrook, Margate, Kent CT9 5DU

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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) and 2(1)(b)(ii)  The proprietor has provided an appropriate curriculum policy, long-term plans for each national curriculum year group, and accompanying schemes of work relating to the material change. The written policy, plans and schemes of work are detailed and are suitable for the context of the school. Discussions during the on-site visit showed leaders to be knowledgeable about all aspects of the proposed changes.  The proposed curriculum has been well thought through and is suitable for pupils in key stages 3 and 4. It takes into account fully the complex needs of the pupils at the school, all of whom will have an education, health and care plan. The proposed curriculum specifically promotes British values.  School leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(c), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(f), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h) and 2(2)(i)  The proposed curriculum provides for full-time education and covers all of the areas of learning specified in this paragraph. Pupils will be subject to a broad and balanced curriculum, which will promote their speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills at a level appropriate to their individual needs.  The proposed curriculum is bespoke and designed specifically for the school’s pupils, all of whom have complex physical and medical needs. It fully reflects the school’s unique ethos. It will provide for pupils’ personal, social, health and economic education. It will also provide a very personalised pathway for each pupil, including developing pupils’ cognition, communication, interaction, sensory and physical development.  The proposed curriculum will provide independent and impartial careers guidance.

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Main inspection findings

This will be delivered by specialist advisers who understand, and are fully conversant with, pupils’ complex needs.  It is intended that pupils will be provided with the opportunities and experiences that they need to make progress and become independent learners, contributing as fully as possible to their local community and wider society.  School leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i) and 3(j)  The proprietor already has a well-developed model for providing high-quality teaching, learning and assessment at the school. This is defined in the teaching-and-learning policy. Discussions with the headteacher and the senior teacher during the inspection showed that leaders have a good understanding of how the quality of teaching impacts on pupils’ outcomes.  The proprietor has ensured that teaching and support staff are suitably qualified to

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Main inspection findings

deliver a high quality of education at the school. Because of the unique nature of the school, the professional development of staff is given a high priority. This includes specialist training in understanding pupils’ complex medical, social and emotional needs.  Pupils’ academic and personal development will be supported by a range of therapists and other specialist staff who are already employed either full time or part time at the school. These include music and art therapists, a paediatric nurse, and occupational and speech-and-language therapists.  The school is currently situated in two specially adapted classrooms. Current resources are appropriate for the proposed changes. However, it should be noted that a complete new-build school is well under way on another site. When completed in the summer of 2019, this will provide specially designed accommodation and resources for the school. The proprietor is proposing to make an appropriate

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Main inspection findings

application for a material change regarding the new building in the near future.  School leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 4  The school’s framework for assessing and reporting pupils’ progress is already well established. Much of this happens on a daily basis, due to pupils’ very complex needs. Formal reporting arrangements are also in place to report pupils’ development over time.  School leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved. 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) and 5(d)(iii)  The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils will continue to be at the heart of the school’s day-to-day life. The curriculum model supports this aspect of

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Main inspection findings

pupils’ development well.  Despite pupils’ complex needs, leaders have a strong desire to ensure that pupils benefit from a full range of experiences to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. The school’s inclusive culture underpins this part of the independent school standards particularly well.  Pupils’ understanding of equalities, fundamental British values, and the workings of wider society are all covered by the planned curriculum, as well as through a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities. Visits into the local community and further afield already help pupils understand the faiths and cultures of others. Tolerance and respect for pupils’ own differences are already well embedded in the culture of the school. Staff are fully aware of the importance of offering pupils balanced views of the different aspects of the world they live in.  School leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material

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Main inspection findings

change is approved. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that the arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils are strong. Arrangements to recruit new staff, for instance, are rigorous, and include the appropriate pre-employment checks. The school’s safeguarding policy, which is published on the school’s website, is compliant with current guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  School leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met if 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) and 34(2)  Because all of the paragraphs checked in relation to the material change application are likely to be met, this part is also likely to be met.

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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 Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £40,000–£79,000

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School details

Website www.thellewellynschoolandnursery.co.uk

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School details

Email address info.llewellynschool@gmail.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 3–5 July 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 2 to 12 2 to 16 2 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 4 Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 4 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 4 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 4 Not applicable

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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 4 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 10

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Information about this school

 The Llewellyn School and Nursery occupies two annexes and the outside space of residential premises in Margate, Kent.  The school caters for pupils who have severe learning difficulties, and who also have multisensory, communication and physical-development needs. All current pupils have an education, health and care plan.  This is a very small school. Although registered for up to 14 pupils, currently there are only four pupils on roll. The school is registered to take children from the ages of two to 12, although at the time of this inspection, there were no children in the early years.  For part of its curriculum, the school uses off-site facilities, including a nearby hydrotherapy pool and riding centre.  The proprietor is also the headteacher. The school has a small governing body, which works with the proprietor to provide arrangements for governance.  The school was first registered by the Department for Education in January 2017.

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Information about this school

 The school’s first full inspection took place in July 2018, when the school was judged to be good in all areas and all of the independent school standards were found to be met.  During this material change inspection, the proprietor indicated that new premises are under construction on a different site to accommodate the school. The new building is not yet complete and will be subject to a further material change application in the near future.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection took place under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002. It was commissioned by the Department of Education as a result of an application for a material change to the age range of pupils at the school, which will see the school add key stages 3 and 4, extending the age range from two to 12, to two to 16.  This was the first material change application since the school was registered. The material change application was made so that the school can provide a continuation in education for current pupils as they move from key stage 2 to key stages 3 and 4.  Prior to the inspection, the inspector reviewed a range of documents submitted by the proprietor to support the material change application. These included policies, long- term plans and schemes of work. The school’s website was checked, including published policies and other information.  The on-site visit included a tour of the school site, visiting classrooms, communal and

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Information about this inspection

outside areas. A range of documents and records were scrutinised, including the single central record of checks on adults working at the school.  An extended meeting was held with the headteacher, who is also the proprietor, the senior teacher, who is also a qualified teacher of the deaf, and the headteacher’s personal assistant. The purpose of this meeting was to ensure that the proposed changes will meet the needs of all pupils, including the younger pupils currently at the school.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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