The Davenport School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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The Lodge, Foxborough Hill, Sandwich CT13 0NY

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(b)  At the school’s previous progress monitoring inspection in September 2018, weaknesses were identified in the school’s arrangements for safeguarding, which resulted in some aspects of the independent school standards not being met. The proprietor had not ensured that the safeguarding policy was up to date. In addition, not all staff were able to explain with confidence their understanding of the statutory guidance from ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (2018).  Following the inspection, school leaders took immediate action to rectify the shortfalls. They modified the school’s action plan and prioritised safeguarding training. Staff benefited from a targeted package of training, delivered by an external adviser. Staff had opportunities to discuss and explore key aspects that are particularly pertinent to this school and its pupils. Staff also made an active contribution to the revision of the

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Main inspection findings

safeguarding policy.  Leaders can point to the impact of staff members’ safeguarding training and the revised policy. They feel that staff take their responsibilities more seriously. Staff feel more confident about the part they play in protecting children because they have been closely involved in developing the policy and practice. In addition, extra training sessions, daily briefings and supervision help to keep staff alert and up to date.  Relationships between pupils and staff are constructive, warm and supportive. Staff manage pupils’ behaviour confidently and constructively, which helps to create a secure and orderly environment. Pupils gain more security and safe attachments with staff and each other while they are at the school.  This aspect of the independent school standards is met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)(c)  At the time of the last progress monitoring inspection, this standard was judged not to

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Main inspection findings

be met because the school is not equipped with showers for older pupils to use after physical education (PE) lessons. The current premises do not have a suitable space to install shower rooms; nor is there sufficient outdoor space for team games and sports. At the time of the progress monitoring inspection, there were plans in place to use a local sports facility, but this had not been implemented.  Leaders have now fully established PE as a timetabled activity for older pupils at a local sports centre, which has suitable facilities for changing and showering.  Evidence provided by the school demonstrates the positive impact that PE off-site is having on Year 7 pupils.  This aspect of the independent school standards is met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The last progress monitoring inspection found that the safeguarding policy on the school’s website was not up to date, as required by the independent school standards.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have now rectified this. The policy worked on by leaders and staff in October meets current statutory requirements and is published on the school’s website.  This aspect of the independent school standards is met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  At the previous monitoring inspection, standards relating to leadership and management were judged not to be met because leaders had not ensured that the school met all parts of the independent school standards. Some statutory duties related to safeguarding were not being carried out in line with requirements.  The school had also been operating out of its registration, with more pupils on roll than originally agreed.  Leaders have now taken concerted action to resolve the shortfalls in safeguarding procedures. The school’s arrangements now meet requirements. In addition, the school is currently operating within its registration agreement.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor and senior leaders have learned important lessons about their statutory duties as leaders of an independent school and are resolute that errors will not occur again. They have taken steps to keep up to date with all necessary guidance in order to meet the independent school standards consistently.  The proprietor and senior leaders have reviewed line management and accountability. More formal structures are in place to support and challenge the teacher in charge and ensure that she receives further training in school leadership.  Communication between leaders and with staff has been improved and formalised. In this way, conversations, plans and reviews can be followed up more systematically.  Leaders have taken active steps to look outwards. Plans are in place for leaders and staff to work with other schools in order to gain support and share good practice.  Leaders and staff are child-focused and committed to improving the school. They have

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Main inspection findings

responded well to the findings from previous inspections. Leaders have not made excuses for past failings, but have learned from them to improve outcomes for pupils.  The school meets this part of the independent school standards.

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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

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that-

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

– 7(b) such [safeguarding] arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that-

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that-

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Part 6. Provision of information

– 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 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 school-

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

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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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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Ethelbert Specialist Homes Ltd

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School details

Headteacher Julie Bartlett (Head of Education)

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School details

Website www.ethelbertonline.co.uk/davenport.html

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 31 January to 2 February 2017

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Information about this school

 Davenport School is an independent special school catering for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school is part of Ethelbert Children’s Services, which also runs a secondary school.  The school is led on a day-to-day basis by a teacher in charge based on site. The head of education oversees this school and the secondary provision.  Most pupils who attend the school have an education, health and care plan.  Nearly all pupils have experienced disruption to their education in the past. Many have been excluded from their previous schools.  At the time of the previous progress monitoring inspection in September 2018, the school was found to be operating out of its registration, with 18 pupils on roll. At this progress monitoring inspection, the school was complying with its registration agreement, with 16 pupils.  The school does not have any religious affiliation.  The school does not use any alternative provision. Pupils in Year 7 attend physical

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Information about this school

education lessons at a local sports centre.  The most recent standard inspection took place in January and February 2017.

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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.  The school was judged to require improvement at the last standard inspection in January and February 2017. At that time, all of the independent school standards were met. A material change inspection was carried out in December 2017, because the proprietor wanted to change the school’s registration. At this inspection, it was judged that not all the independent school standards were likely to be met if the material change was applied. School leaders drew up an action plan, in response to a notice issued by the Department for Education (DfE).  The DfE commissioned a previous progress monitoring inspection in September 2018.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection found that the school was not meeting all of the required independent school standards.  During this progress monitoring inspection, Her Majesty’s Inspector checked whether progress had been made in meeting the previously unmet standards. The inspection was carried out with no notice.  The inspector met with the managing director of the company, representing the proprietor. She also met with an area manager for the company, the head of education and the teacher in charge. Meetings were held with members of staff.  The inspector toured the school, accompanied by the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) and a pupil. She spoke to pupils and staff, observing morning activities. The inspector also observed part of a physical education lesson and carried out another tour of the site with the teacher in charge.  A range of relevant documentation was scrutinised in relation to the standards in the

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Information about this inspection

scope of this inspection. Documents included policies, risk assessments, timetables, records of behaviour and leaders’ action planning.  Eight pupils went on a pre-arranged school trip during the morning of the inspection.

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Inspection team

Janet Pearce, 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 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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