Cambian Northampton School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Cambian Northampton School 67a Queens Park Parade, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN2 6LR

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(h)  The previous progress monitoring inspection in October 2017 found that it was too soon to judge whether the introduction of new planning and assessment arrangements were having a positive enough impact on pupils’ outcomes. The school had not had sufficient time to show that pupils were making consistently good progress as a result of the changes introduced by school leaders.  The inspector also found that staff did not agree on the pace of pupils’ learning, the quality of oral and written responses that pupils are capable of and the need to accelerate the challenge in tasks in response to pupils’ successes.  In 2018, the school achieved its best results. All pupils leaving the school achieved GCSE passes in English, mathematics, biology and spoken English. Some pupils also achieved GCSE passes in physics and functional skills passes in English and mathematics alongside

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Main inspection findings

ASDAN qualifications in employability and personal and social development. These qualifications represent good and sometimes very good progress from pupils’ various starting points.  Pupils are now assessed when they start at the school and this baseline is used as the point from which to measure their progress. Inspection evidence and a scrutiny of pupils’ workbooks suggests that the majority of current pupils are making good progress. This is particularly the case in English. The headteacher and staff now have a very clear understanding of the progress pupils are capable of. Teachers have provided pupils with more appropriate challenge and the progress pupils have made has improved.  The headteacher has introduced frequent progress review meetings that are well attended by parents, carers and pupils. The meetings give valuable information regarding pupils’ attainment, progress, behaviour and attitudes to learning. Pupils told

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Main inspection findings

the inspector they value these meetings as a way of monitoring their own progress towards their recognised qualifications.  The headteacher ensures that each pupil has a record of achievement folder. The folders contain all certificates gained by the pupil during their time at the school. Such certificates are displayed proudly around the school. Pupils’ achievements are celebrated frequently, and this has a positive influence on the progress they make.  Staff spoke to the inspector confidently and knowledgeably about pupils’ progress and the monitoring system now in place to check it. Staff provide targets in pupils’ books so that pupils know what they need to do next to improve. Staff are now much clearer regarding the pace of lessons and know to provide pupils with a good level of challenge in lessons.  The proprietor has ensured that all the standards in this part have been met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 5, 5(b), 5(b)(iii)  The previous progress monitoring inspection in October 2017 found that staff were not consistently successful in ensuring that pupils develop positive attitudes to learning and appropriate work habits. Pupils did not have sufficient self-respect or desire to accept the challenge of working hard to achieve success. Pupils were not showing how they could contribute positively to the lives of those living and working locally and to society more widely.  Staff reward pupils for good behaviour and improved attitudes to school during the week with a visit to a local café or shop. There are also instant raffle ticket awards that enable pupils to exchange tickets for a treat at the school tuck shop. Records kept by the school indicate that incidents of poor behaviour are declining over time. Staff told the inspector that pupils now have consistently strong attitudes to school.

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Main inspection findings

 During the inspection, the inspector saw the vast majority of pupils on task and engaged in their learning. Pupils were concentrating and working hard, showing a desire to succeed. Pupils told the inspector that they have plans for their post-16 education, including college placements and apprenticeship opportunities.  There are various displays around the school reminding pupils of the importance of British values, and giving pupils key messages around such issues as the ‘Prevent duty’, anti-bullying, the dangers of knife crime and child sexual exploitation. Pupils are becoming increasingly aware of how they contribute to the lives of those living locally and around the world, for example through raising money for charities, writing to pupils in Sierra Leone and donating warm clothing to local homeless people in the winter.  The proprietor has ensured that all the standards in this part have been met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 9, 9(b)  The previous monitoring inspection in October 2017 found that staff did not implement the school’s behaviour policy effectively.  Over the last 18 months, staffing at the school has changed considerably. The headteacher ensures that the current staff use the new rewards and sanctions system effectively and consistently. Pupils receive points when, for example, they follow instructions, use equipment appropriately and show respect to staff and peers. Points are converted into money that can be deposited into the school bank. Periodically, pupils withdraw this money and, along with their significant adult, spend it appropriately on a reward or treat. Pupils are issued with a weekly pay slip that shows how much they have earned that week and if anything has been deducted through any poor behaviour. Staff and pupils told the inspector that this behaviour system is working well and it

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Main inspection findings

encourages pupils to behave, accept challenges and have a positive attitude to school.  The proprietor has ensured that all the standards in this part have been met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(c)  At the previous monitoring inspection in October 2017, the school did not meet all of the standards for leadership and management. The inspector found that despite leaders demonstrating improved knowledge and skills appropriate to their roles, there had been insufficient time for the school to demonstrate sustained improvement. This included in areas such as insufficient pupils’ progress, the need for pupils to approach their work with increased urgency and concerns regarding pupils’ behaviour.  The well-established headteacher has introduced effective systems to monitor the progress that pupils make and has ensured that staff consistently follow the school

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Main inspection findings

behaviour policy. The headteacher has also introduced frequent progress meetings that enable pupils and parents and carers to know what pupils are doing well and what they need to do next to improve. These measures have been effective in ensuring that previously unmet standards from Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the independent school standards are now met.  The lead teacher now ensures that parents and carers are contacted at the start and end of each day so that information can be shared. This ensures that staff can alter their plans accordingly in the mornings and that parents and carers are kept up to date with the daily progress, attitude, attendance and behaviour of their child.  The governance arrangements are effective in ensuring that the headteacher and other leaders are held fully to account for their actions. Frequent visits by the group’s national lead for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties mean that any issues

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Main inspection findings

regarding the school are dealt with promptly. The national lead has a very good understanding of the strengths and development areas at the school.  The proprietor has ensured that the school has an appropriate safeguarding policy that is published on the school’s website and is therefore available for parents and carers.  The proprietor has ensured that all the standards in this part have been 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. 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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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 The proprietor has ensured that pupils acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their abilities so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught. Pupils show self-motivation and the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves. The proprietor has ensured that staff use effective strategies for managing pupils’ behaviour and that they encourage pupils to act responsibly. (paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(b) and 3(h))  The proprietor has ensured that pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is actively promoted, and pupils are encouraged to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality in which the school is situated and to society more

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

widely. (paragraphs 5, 5(b) and 5(b)(iii)  The proprietor has ensured that good behaviour is promoted among pupils by ensuring that the behaviour policy is implemented effectively. (paragraphs 9 and 9(b)  The proprietor has ensured that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently, and the well-being of pupils is actively promoted. (paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(c))

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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

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 0

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School details

Website www.cambiangroup.com/specialist- education/our-schools/semh- schools/cambian-northampton-school Email address Northampton.School@cambiangroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28 to 30 March 2017

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Information about this school

 Cambian Northampton School is located in the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton. The school occupies a detached house which has been refurbished to operate as an independent day school.  The school admits pupils in the age range 11 to 18 who have a range of behavioural, social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The school is registered to admit up to 24 pupils. There are currently 14 pupils on the school roll aged 11 to 16 years. The vast majority of pupils have an education, health and care plan. Half of the pupils are looked after by their local authorities.  The school uses the following alternative providers to supplement and broaden the pupils’ curriculum: Moulton College, West Street, Moulton; Centurian Training Solutions, St James Mill Road, Northampton; Stablemates, Scrivens Hill, Daventry and Performing Rooms, Overstone Road, Northampton.  The school’s classroom motto is to ‘give respect and get respect’.

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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 that 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 inspection was conducted without notice. The school had a full standard inspection in March 2017 and a progress monitoring inspection in October 2017. There were unmet standards at both previous inspections.  During the inspection, the inspector held meetings with the headteacher, the Cambian group national lead for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, three members of staff and three pupils.  The inspector toured the school in conjunction with the headteacher and observed the learning in all classes. He examined a variety of pupils’ workbooks and the school’s

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Information about this inspection

assessment system. He scrutinised a variety of documents relating to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural curriculum, records of pupils’ behaviour and safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Peter Stonier, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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