Cambian Chesham House School

Cambian Chesham House School Chesham House, Thrush Drive, Bury, Manchester BL9 6JD

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school’s child protection and safeguarding policy is published on the school’s web pages included in the Cambian Group’s website. This policy is based on a model policy provided by the Cambian Group. However, leaders have added detail to this model policy to ensure that it matches the circumstances of the school.  The policy was updated at the start of this school year in response to the most recent guidance from the Department for Education. Leaders made a small number of minor adjustments to the policy during this inspection to ensure that it is as clear as possible and precisely matches the guidance.  Staff receive regular training and other updates in staff meetings to ensure that they are confident in how to respond to any safeguarding concerns about a pupil. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10  The school has clear policies concerning how staff will encourage pupils to behave

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Main inspection findings

well, reduce the likelihood of bullying and respond to any poor behaviour, including bullying. These polices set out clear principles and procedures. Staff are aware of these procedures and follow them carefully. Detailed records are kept of any behavioural incidents, including instances of bullying or poor behaviour which could develop into bullying. Leaders and other members of staff review each pupil’s behaviour daily. Leaders also monitor all pupils’ behaviour over time.  Pupils’ learning and behavioural needs are known very well by staff. If a pupil’s behaviour appears to be deteriorating, staff are often able to take action to help the pupil to improve their behaviour before a problem arises.  Pupils are encouraged to behave well. Leaders do this by rewarding pupils’ good attitudes and behaviours with incentives, such as trips out of school. This system also allows staff to provide clear information to parents and carers about how well pupils

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Main inspection findings

have done at school each day.  The pupils who spoke to the inspector said that pupils sometimes fall out with each other. However, they also said that if this happens, it is dealt with fairly by staff. The school’s records include a hard-bound book in which any actual, or potential incidents of bullying are recorded. The records indicate that pupils sometimes do not behave as well as possible, including towards each other. However, such behaviour rarely amounts to bullying. All behavioural incidents are carefully considered by staff to ensure that these are followed up and that any negative impact on other pupils is minimised.  The school’s systematic training programme includes work on how staff can respond to poor behaviour. For example, staff are in the middle of a training course that is updating their knowledge and skills about the appropriate use of physical restraint of pupils. Any instances of staff using restraint are recorded in detail.

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Main inspection findings

 Information about the prevalence of poor behaviour forms part of the information that is regularly reported from the school to the Cambian Group. This ensures that, should problems appear to be arising, the proprietor, or their representative, is able to support and challenge school staff about how they are managing pupils’ behaviour. Paragraph 12  The school has clear policies about fire safety. These are based on models provided by the Cambian Group. Staff have signed to confirm that they are aware of the details contained in the school’s fire risk assessment. Staff receive regular training about how to respond to fire and other emergencies.  A member of staff has responsibility for completing routine checks of fire-safety arrangements and potential fire risks. These checks are completed carefully and recorded systematically. The records confirm that fire alarm checks are conducted weekly and that fire drills take place at least monthly.

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Main inspection findings

 Escape routes are unobstructed and the signage of these is clear. However, during the inspection, a small number of additional fire safety notices were put up in rooms where these were missing.  Leaders ensure that specialist checks of the fire-alarm system, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers are completed annually.  The standards checked in this part are met by the school. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  School leaders and representatives of the Cambian Group work together closely to ensure that the school works well and that the independent school standards (ISS) are met. If any concerns about the school and its work are raised, leaders follow these up carefully. Leaders use people who are independent from the school to check that procedures have been properly followed and that actions taken are appropriate. Whether or not concerns turn out to be well-founded, leaders seek information from

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Main inspection findings

this process so that the school can improve.  The details about the school published online in ‘Get information about schools’ include the name of the previous headteacher and no details of the school’s proprietor.  The ISS checked in this inspection are met by the school. These standards concern pupils’ welfare, health and safety.  The standards in this part are met by the school.

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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

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 None

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School details

Website www.cambiangroup.com/specialist- education/our-schools/semh- schools/cambian-chesham-house-school/ Email address education@cambiangroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 17–19 October 2017

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Information about this school

 This is a small, independent special school which meets the needs of up to 20 male and female pupils who have social, emotional or mental health and associated difficulties.  The school is registered for the age range 10 to 18 years.  The school was registered in September 2013 and is part of the Cambian Group. The Cambian Group provides both education and care services for young people. The Cambian Group has recently become part of CareTech.  Most pupils travel to the school from children’s homes in the Cambian Group.  The majority of pupils who attend have an education, health and care plan. Pupils have experienced substantial periods of time missing education. Many pupils engage in challenging or risk-taking behaviour out of school.  The school currently uses alternative provision for a small number of pupils at Alltogether Animal Assisted Therapy and Learning, CAST North West, Red Box Training

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to complaints received by them.  The inspection was conducted with no prior notice to the school.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher and other members of staff. He also met with the Cambian Group’s regional lead, who has oversight of the school on behalf of the proprietor. The inspector had a discussion with a small group of pupils and spoke to others during their school activities.  He scrutinised policies and other documents about safeguarding, pupils’ behaviour and fire safety. He toured the school, accompanied by a senior leader.

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Inspection team

David Selby, 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

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

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

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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 children looked after, 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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