Cheshire Alterntive Provision School

Cheshire Alternative Provision School Lower Park Mill, Centenary Place, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1EH

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school’s safeguarding policy is detailed, thorough and up to date. It takes account of the most recent guidance and legislation.  A good range of additional policies and procedures are in place to keep pupils safe. They are regularly reviewed.  The headteacher and those in charge of safeguarding have undertaken suitable training to ensure that they have a clear awareness of their roles and responsibilities.  All members of staff receive regular training in safeguarding, including the ‘Prevent’ duty. They are aware of key statutory guidance on safeguarding, such as ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2018’ and ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018’.  The headteacher works with the local authority to undertake an annual safeguarding audit. This ensures that policies, procedures and staff practice are strong. Paragraph 12

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire safety) Order 2005. The fire risk assessment, undertaken by a specialist external company, shows that the premises comply with regulations and meet the required standards.  Leaders have identified fire hazards, identified the people at risk, recorded their findings and reviewed their assessment to ensure that actions are being addressed. Paragraph 16,16(a),16(b)  The proprietor has a detailed risk assessment policy which outlines the steps necessary to control and reduce risks across the school. A wide range of individual risk assessments exist for a range of other purposes, including managing fire exits. Leaders use their risk assessments well to identify hazards and to plan and take actions to reduce potential risks.  Staff supervise pupils well throughout the school day, both in the building and around the school site.  The standards in these paragraphs are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17, 18, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(2)(f), 18(3) 19(2),19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), Paragraph 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  The school has a single register which records the details of the required employment checks on staff. This is up to date and maintained in electronic form.  The school carries out thorough checks on teachers and teaching assistants before

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Main inspection findings

appointment.  Leaders do not intend to use external persons or agencies to provide supply cover to the school. Leaders intend to make use of the staff employed to cover absences.  The school has high-quality recruitment systems in place to ensure the suitability of any appointed staff to work with pupils.  The standards in this part are met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f), (32(1)(h), 32(1)(i), 32(1)(j), Paragraph 32(2), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b)(i), 32(2)(c), 32(2)(d), Paragraph 32(3), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(c), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(f)  The school website is compliant. It includes a broad range of information about the school, including all appropriate contact details for the school, the chair of governors and the proprietor.  Leaders ensure that copies of all the school’s policies are available on request. Many policies, especially those relating to safeguarding, such as health and safety, staff

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Main inspection findings

discipline, use of mobile phones and behaviour, are published on the school’s website.  Appropriate procedures are in place to report on pupils’ progress and attainment to parents. Parents receive reports each fortnight outlining performance in terms of welfare, behaviour and attitudes to learning. This is followed by a summary report at the end of each term, outlining their child’s progress.  The school’s previous inspection report and information on admission arrangements are available on the website for parents.  The proprietor is aware of her duty to report on the income and expenditure of funds for pupils placed in the school by local authorities.  Standards for the provision of information are met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and governors are aware of how vulnerable pupils at Cheshire Alternative Provision School are. As a result, the welfare, health and safety of these

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Main inspection findings

pupils are actively promoted, and vigilance is high. Leaders demonstrate clear expertise in meeting the needs of these pupils.  Leaders have introduced high-quality recruitment procedures to ensure the suitability of any appointed staff to address the needs of the pupils effectively.  Pupils spoke highly about the support they receive from leaders and other staff in relation to their welfare. They noted that they are kept safe and that good behaviour is reinforced.  Leaders have ensured that the behaviour management procedures are strong and are followed effectively by teachers. Typical comments from pupils included ‘teachers look after us’; ‘they teach us properly’; and ‘they are always there for us’. The promotion of anti-bullying has also supported the welfare of pupils. One pupil’s work on display, which reflected many other pieces, included the following guidance, written by the pupil: ‘Bullying takes place in front of others; don’t be a bystander.’

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders work hard to ensure that pupils are protected from harm, in terms of safeguarding issues in the local community. A police officer attends school regularly to support pupils with strategies for dealing with issues linked to drugs and violent crime.  The standard for the quality of leadership and management 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

Email address lwild.caps@outlook.cheshire.sch.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 19 to 21 June 2018

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Information about this school

 In April 2017, the school was granted registration for 50 pupils aged from 11 to 16 years. Currently there are 21 pupils on roll.  The school caters for pupils with a history of disrupted schooling, including those with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. Pupils join the school and leave it at different points during the academic year.  The headteacher is also the proprietor. She took over as headteacher following the resignation of the previous headteacher in February 2018.  The school aims to support pupils as they ‘grow, aspire and achieve’, enabling them to return to their home school. Most pupils follow a 12-week programme at Cheshire Alternative Provision School, followed by a staged transition period as they return to their home school. The length of this reintegration varies according to pupils’ needs.  The school does not have a religious character.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) requested that Ofsted conduct an emergency inspection to report against Part 3, paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 12, 16, 16(a) 16(b) and Parts 4, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspection was conducted without notice.  The inspector examined the school’s website.  The inspector examined a wide range of documents, including the school’s fire risk assessment folder, a range of risk assessments and related documentation relating to fire safety.  The inspector held discussions with the proprietor, who is also the headteacher and the deputy designated leader for safeguarding. She also spoke with school staff and the designated leader for safeguarding.  The inspector spoke on the phone with the chair of the governing body.  The inspector spoke with all pupils about safeguarding, welfare and fire evacuation procedures in school.  The inspector undertook a tour of the school with the headteacher.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector checked the school’s register of checks on staff.

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Inspection team

Gill Pritchard, 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

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Inspection team

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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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