Birtenshaw School Merseyside

School material change inspection report

p.1

Birtenshaw School, Merseyside 82 Higher Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside L9 7AB

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The comprehensive safeguarding policy takes full account of the current legislation and guidelines. The policy is available from the school’s website.  All staff receive appropriate training. Regular updates keep their knowledge fresh so that they know how to keep pupils safe. Records of training are appropriate and thorough. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16(a), 16(b)  The school was built in 2018 with the intention of eventually admitting 80 pupils. The school has enough classrooms and shared areas for the planned increase in numbers. A suitable health and safety policy is in place. It complies with all relevant requirements. Leaders have a rolling programme of maintenance to identify and remedy any issues with the site. The school is tidy, safe and well-kept. All areas are spotless.  The proprietor has ensured that fire safety procedures are compliant with the

p.1

Main inspection findings

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Leaders complete annual risk assessments. Any fire precautions needed to safeguard pupils and adults are implemented. Systematic checks of the site and fire evacuation practices are conducted regularly. All pupils have an evacuation plan, so they know what action to take in the event of a fire.  The proprietor has made sure that there are plenty of staff to supervise pupils. Supervision is based on each pupil’s needs and leaders plan to maintain this level of support if numbers of pupils increase.  A written risk assessment policy is in place. This outlines the detailed process to be taken for all risk assessments. Leaders are alert to risk and use an appropriate and consistent risk assessment approach.  Detailed risk assessments are in place for all classrooms and shared areas, and for all educational and extra-curricular activities. Leaders use these risk assessments very

p.1

Main inspection findings

effectively to identify hazards and to plan and take suitable action to mitigate potential risks. Any new activity is risk assessed so that pupils are kept safe.  All the independent school standards in this part are met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(d), 18(3), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(4)  The single central record is fully compliant.  Appropriate checks have been carried out for all members of staff. Prohibition checks have been completed, as appropriate.  The proprietor has undergone appropriate checks.  All the independent school standards in this part are met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c)  There are plenty of toilets which are clean and accessible. Each toilet, including washing facilities, is for single use only and can be locked from the inside. All toilets are suitable for disabled use.  Toilets and washbasin facilities are adequate to meet the needs of the anticipated increase in the number of pupils on roll.  Sufficient showers and changing facilities are available for all pupils to use. These facilities are near to the swimming pool. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 21(1)(b), 24(1)(c), 24(2)  A spacious medical room is situated in the centre of the school. It includes a shower and wash basin and is very near to a toilet. It contains a first aid kit. Paragraph 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  Accommodation throughout the school is of a very high standard. The acoustics and lighting of the rooms are suitable. All teaching rooms are bright and have a good

p.2

Main inspection findings

source of natural light. Each classroom leads directly onto a safe outdoor area. The exterior lighting is of a high standard. Leaders are proud of the purpose-built school which was planned, in detail, to meet the needs of the pupils. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Drinking water is readily available for pupils. All water supplied is suitable to drink.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  Pupils can play in the spacious outdoor areas. Pupils use the plentiful outdoor equipment such as the climbing frame. The outdoor space is suitable for the planned increase in the number of pupils.  All the independent school standards in this part are met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders know the strengths of the school and what action to take to improve it further. The school improvement plan includes the correct areas for improvement. Leaders are working hard to meet the recommendations left from the previous full inspection. For example, staff contribute to the evaluation of the school’s effectiveness and in the school’s improvement plans.  Leaders demonstrate the knowledge and experience needed to accommodate the planned increase in the number of pupils. Leaders are well-organised and are ready to welcome increased numbers of pupils.  Leaders fulfil their responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils.  All the independent school standards in this part are met.

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

School status Independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £56,940 to £85,644

p.5

School details

Email address julie.barnes@birtenshaw.org.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 13–15 November 2018

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 3 to 19 3 to 19 3 to 19

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 34 80 80

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 34 80

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 34 80

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 34 80

p.6

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 34 80

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 6 7

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff N/A N/A

p.6

Information about this school

 Birtenshaw School, Merseyside is part of Birtenshaw, a charitable organisation.  It is an independent special school registered for 50 pupils from ages three to 19.  The school was inspected in November 2018.  Currently, there are 34 pupils on roll aged from four to 11 and one part-time pupil aged 17 years. Pupils have moderate to severe learning disabilities and/or complex health needs. Many pupils have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school is in Liverpool and pupils are placed at Birtenshaw by four local authorities.  The school does not use alternative provision.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This was the first material change inspection.  This inspection was commissioned in relation to the school’s request to increase the number of pupils admitted to the school from 50 to 80.  During the inspection, documents and policies were scrutinised, including documents relating to safeguarding. The inspector toured the accommodation and held discussions with the headteacher.

p.7

Inspection team

Eileen Mulgrew, 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 .

p.7

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.

p.8

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 .

p.8

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.

p.8

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.8