Dove School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Dove School 194 New Road, Staincross, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S75 6PP

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(g)  During the inspection in February 2018, inspectors found that the curriculum policy did not include key stage 2 and key stage 5 and there were no schemes of work in place for these key stages. This included appropriate personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education.  The action plan produced by the headteacher in December 2018 stated that the curriculum policy had been updated and the appropriate schemes of work will be written for pupils who may attend the school in these age phases. It said that the key stage 2 scheme of work had been written.  The action plan also stated that appropriate post-16 pathways were now in place and links to local colleges had been set up.  This inspection found that the curriculum policy has been updated appropriately and schemes of work for key stage 2 and key stage 5 are now in place. For example, in key

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Main inspection findings

stage 5, most pupils follow the key stage 4 curriculum because this is what is most appropriate to their needs. When pupils are ready, there are appropriate links and courses available to support them in an effective transition to college.  In key stage 2, the schemes of work cover the topics associated with the independent school standards. The headteacher then works with pupils individually to ensure that the curriculum meets their needs according to their ability and starting points.  An appropriate plan and scheme of work is in place to teach PSHE education. There is a display in the teaching room that teachers use to provoke conversation about, for example, the protected characteristics described in the Equality Act 2010.  These standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii)  In the previous inspection, the inspectors found that there were insufficient opportunities to ensure that teachers promoted British values effectively. Leaders planned to ensure that staff were trained in incorporating British values and opportunities for social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) development into lessons.  This inspection found that this training has taken place. The headteacher and teacher were able to share examples of where British values and SMSC are taught to pupils. For example, developing pupils’ literacy skills using the topic of human rights and British citizenship to spark ideas and discussion about the law and democracy in Britain.  Leaders ensure that topics discussed relate to the risks pupils may face, for example knife crime and county lines.

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Main inspection findings

 There is a dedicated space in the teaching room to inform about careers education, where pupils can select different resources to help them plan their next steps to college. This is used to provoke discussion about pupils’ place in society.  These standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that the safeguarding policy is up to date with the latest guidance from government. The policy sets out how staff will ensure that pupils are kept safe, the signs to look out for and what to do if staff have a concern.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and continues to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 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(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), 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(6).  The proprietor has ensured that all appropriate checks have been carried out on adults working with pupils at the school.  These checks are carried out prior to a person’s appointment and recorded on the single central register.  These standards were met at the previous inspection and continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 27(b)  At the previous inspection, inspectors found that external lighting was not in place to ensure that pupils could enter and leave the premises safely.  Since then, the external light has been replaced and is now in full working order.  This standard is now met. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(b)  Previously, inspectors found that the outside space for pupils to socialise was not suitable due to a loose wall and a lack of handrail for the steps. There was also a risk that pupils could fall from a height over a wall.  The action plan stated that a handrail and fence had been fitted and the garden levelled.  At the time of this inspection, the fence and handrail had been fitted to increase the safety in the outside space. However, rubble remained in the garden and the wall remained unsafe due to the top layer having eroded, leaving sharp edges. During the

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Main inspection findings

inspection, the garden was cleared, and the proprietor acted to contact the company maintenance team to further repair the wall.  These standards were unmet at the previous inspection and continue to be unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(b)  The up-to-date safeguarding policy and all other policies are available to parents or carers on request.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and continues to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)(a)  At the previous inspection, inspectors found that there were a number of independent school standards that were not met and that leaders did not demonstrate the skills and knowledge appropriate to their roles so that the independent school standards are met consistently.  The action plan stated that leaders would have some training about the independent school standards and that an appraisal system would be implemented so that staff targets link to the school improvement plan. It also stated that there would be a monthly audit of the independent school standards.  Since then, the headteacher has developed her awareness of the independent school standards and developed her skills in, for example, evaluating the quality of education in the school and action planning for improvement.  The headteacher now has an updated action plan, with space for evaluating the impact

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Main inspection findings

of the actions taken by leaders. The headteacher also has a plan to further develop the school.  The school has been supported by a school improvement adviser. In addition, the headteacher has made links with other schools and colleges in developing the schemes of work and curriculum policy.  Staff have responsibility for checking that different parts of the independent school standards are being met. For example, a teacher carries out a regular audit of the premises.  An appraisal system has been developed and this links to the development of the school. For example, the headteacher has monthly meetings with the proprietor, where the headteacher is held to account for school improvement.  This standard is now met. Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(b)  During the inspection, the outside space was found to be unsuitable and therefore standards 29(1) and 29(1)(b) are not met.  This means that leaders have not ensured that the independent standards are met

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Main inspection findings

consistently.  These standards were unmet at the previous inspection and continue to be unmet.

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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

Email address educationstaff@dovecare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6 to 7 February 2018

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Information about this school

 Dove School is a very small independent special school for pupils aged between nine and 18 years with social, emotional and mental health needs.  The school opened in 2007 and is registered to accommodate up to 16 pupils.  The school does not provide or use any alternative education provision currently.  The school has currently applied to the DfE for a change of proprietor.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of 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 inspection. This is the first progress monitoring inspection.  The previous inspection took place on 6 February 2018, when the overall effectiveness of the school was judged to require improvement. In January 2019, the action plan that was submitted by the school was rejected by the Department for Education (DfE).  The inspector met with the proprietor, headteacher and a teacher. The inspector evaluated documents and policies associated with the independent school standards, including safeguarding documents. The inspector also evaluated the premises internally and externally.  This inspection was conducted without notice.

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Inspection team

Debbie Redshaw, 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

 29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable– – 29(1)(b) pupils to play outside.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – (a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively;  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are— – (d) personal, social, health and economic education which–(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act (g) where the school has pupils above compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their needs.  5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor– – (a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

beliefs; – (b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which– (ii) enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England; (iv) enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England; (vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; and (vii) encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England;  27 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – (b) external lighting is provided in order to ensure that people can safely enter and leave the school premises.  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

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

school– – (a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently 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 now meets the following independent school standards

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

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