Leaways School

School material change inspection report

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Leaways School 18 Theydon Road, Clapton, London E5 9NZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1), 32(1)(c )  The school’s approach to safeguarding pupils continues to meet the requirements of the independent school standards.  Staff at all levels are suitably inducted and trained. Any concerns are raised quickly and shared with those responsible for safeguarding. All concerns and referrals are thoroughly documented.  Leaders have a strong understanding of the various risks which their pupils face.  There is a culture of vigilance, and a shared commitment to keep pupils as safe from harm as possible.  The school’s policy reflects the latest statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State, and is published on the school’s website.  Leaders ensure that all relevant vetting checks are undertaken for those who come into contact with pupils. All recruitment checks are recorded accurately on the school’s single central register, which meets all current requirements.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  Leaders ensure that the school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies are effectively implemented. The building and facilities are clean, safe and well maintained. Risk assessments relating to the premises, classrooms, individual pupils, use of local facilities and educational trips show that due consideration is given to possible risks. Specific actions are taken to reduce risks so as to ensure that pupils are kept as safe as possible.  Leaders ensure that the school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. All the required checks are undertaken and logged by the school’s site manager. These include checks on the fire alarm system, fire safety equipment and emergency lighting. Regular fire drills are conducted and recorded.  There is likely to be an appropriate deployment of staff to ensure that pupils are safely supervised. The minimum ratio is one adult to every five pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school’s premises are clean, safe, secure and well maintained. There are specialist classrooms and social spaces over four floors. These include dedicated areas for primary-aged pupils, and pupils with autism spectrum disorder. The building can comfortably accommodate up to 100 pupils.  The health, safety and welfare of additional pupils are likely to be assured through the effective implementation of the school’s health and safety policy and procedures.  The requirements in relation to toilet and washing facilities, changing rooms and showers are likely to be met in light of an increase in number.  The requirements in relation to medical care and first aid are likely to be met as the medical room meets requirements. However, its location is not ideal, and leaders plan to relocate it as part of building works this summer.  The acoustic conditions, sound insulation and internal and external lighting are

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Main inspection findings

suitable throughout the premises.  Suitably labelled drinking water is available throughout the school day from water coolers, and the temperature of hot water supplies is safely regulated.  Physical education and outdoor recreational time is made available to all pupils using nearby parks and leisure facilities, which are appropriately risk assessed.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The school’s leaders have a secure understanding of the independent school standards. They have ensured that all the relevant standards related to the requested material change, including the standard in this part, are likely to continue to be met.  As a result, the request to increase the number of pupils on the school’s roll from 75 to 100 is recommended.

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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 Day school for pupils with SEND

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Website https://kedlestongroup.com/leaways

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School details

Email address leaways@kedlestongroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 9–11 October 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 17 No change Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 75 100 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 75 Up to 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils None No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 75 Up to 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 75 Up to 100

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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 75 Up to 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 20 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff None No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 20 25

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Information about this school

 Leaways School is an independent special school in the London Borough of Hackney.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan. This is primarily for their social, emotional and mental health needs. Some have additional diagnoses and needs, such as autism spectrum disorder.  Pupils are placed and funded by a range of local authorities.  The school is part of, and governed by, the Kedleston Group. This is overseen by a board of directors, and led by a chief executive officer.  The school currently makes use of one alternative provider: Ilderton Motor Vehicle Project, Deptford, London SE8 5HB.  The school’s most recent inspection was a full standard inspection in October 2018.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider the school’s application to make a material change to its registration.  The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether particular independent school standards contained within Parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the director of quality and compliance, senior staff with responsibility for safeguarding, and the human resources officer. He toured the premises and reviewed relevant documentation in relation to health and safety, fire safety, risk assessment and safeguarding.  The inspection took into account the eight recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey (Parent View).

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted 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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