Crookhey Hall School

School material change inspection report

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Crookhey Hall School Crookhey Hall, Garstang Road, Cockerham, Lancaster, Lancashire LA2 0HA

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school’s current written safeguarding policy and procedures show due regard for the current guidance from the Secretary of State.  The school’s policy is implemented effectively to ensure that staff are well trained and vigilant about any risks posed to pupils. Safeguarding records are meticulously kept and fit for purpose. Routine analysis of records ensures that leaders are well informed of any emerging trends relating to safeguarding. Leaders take swift and effective action to respond to concerns. This includes sharing appropriate information with other authorities, parents and carers.  The proposed rise in the number of pupils on the school roll is unlikely to have a negative impact on the effectiveness of safeguarding in school. Consequently, this standard is likely to be met. Paragraphs 11, 14  The school has an appropriate and comprehensive range of health and safety policies

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Main inspection findings

in place to ensure compliance with relevant laws. The recently completed building work is included in the amendment to these policies to ensure the health and safety of pupils. In the newly built classrooms, there are established routines for checking the operation of fire alarm systems, emergency lighting and firefighting equipment.  Pupils are well supervised by diligent staff who are deployed effectively. Leaders plan to use safer recruitment procedures to increase the number of school staff appropriately. This is in order to meet the additional challenges of an increased number of pupils. Three additional teachers and six additional support assistants will be recruited. Additional kitchen staff will also be appointed to respond to the greater number of pupils and staff who will require meals. Leaders have suitable plans to deploy staff to ensure the effective supervision of pupils in the new building when

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Main inspection findings

they are in use.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 12  The school complies with the relevant fire safety regulations. Annual maintenance of firefighting equipment (such as fire extinguishers and the fire alarm) ensures that they are in an operational condition in all buildings, including the new classrooms. Emergency lighting is operational across the school to ensure safe egress when it is dark. This includes appropriate emergency lighting and heat and smoke sensors in the newly built classrooms.  Specific plans are in place for evacuation in the case of a fire. These were put to the test during an accidental activation of the alarm during the inspection, and were found to be very effective. The evacuation was well organised.  The school has a fire risk assessment in place. These risk assessments include those relating to the new building work to provide three new classrooms.  The proposed increase in pupil numbers will not have a negative impact on the school

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Main inspection findings

meeting fire safety requirements. Consequently, the standard is likely to be met. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has a written policy on risk assessment and risk management. This policy has been updated to take account of the newly built classrooms and the proposed rise in the number of pupils on the school roll. Risk assessments are suitably detailed. Control measures are correctly identified to mitigate any risks that have been identified. Consequently, this standard is likely to be met.  The standards relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils considered during this inspection are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3)  The proprietor has ensured that leaders undertake all the necessary checks on the suitability of staff to work with children. This includes checking the suitability of persons that hold leadership and management roles in the school to ensure that they have not been prohibited from such roles under section 128 of the 2008 Act. Appropriate criminal record checks, identity checks, qualification checks and health checks have all been completed. The proprietor has appropriate procedures in place to recruit any additional staff as necessary and required by the school in the future. These procedures are appropriately designed to ensure that members of staff will not be allowed to take up their posts of employment until all required checks are

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Main inspection findings

completed. Leaders demonstrate an awareness of the appropriate checks that need to be made for any staff who have lived or worked abroad. There are currently no staff who have lived or worked abroad who are employed at the school.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 19(2), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 19(4)  Leaders make use of a small number of supply staff in the school. Leaders’ records show that suitable checks are completed before any person undertakes any supply or contract work in school. Paragraph 20(1), 20(2), 20(3), 20(3)(a), 20(3)(a)(i), 20(3)(a)(ii), 20(5), 20(5)(a), 20(5)(a)(i), 20(5)(a)(ii), 20(5)(b), 20(5)(b)(i), 20(5)(b)(ii), 20(5)(b)(iii), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c)  The proprietor has completed the required identity and suitability checks on the directors of the proprietary company. These include those checks relating to prohibition from leadership and management of a school under section 128 of the 2008 Act. Paragraph 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii),

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Main inspection findings

21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  The school’s single central record contains meticulous details of all the required information. This includes the required information relating to the completion of identity, health, qualifications and prohibition from teaching checks. This is related to teaching staff and other adults working or regularly visiting the school. It includes contractors and agency staff. It also contains information relating to the required checks on leaders, governors and proprietors, including those relating to prohibition from leadership and management of a school under section 128 of the 2008 Act.  There are well-established and effective procedures for checking the suitability of staff and other adults working in school. Therefore, these are not likely to be negatively

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Main inspection findings

affected by the proposed increase in the number of pupils on the school roll. Consequently, the standards relating to the suitability of staff are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 25  The recently completed building work has provided additional teaching space and suitable toilet facilities for the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll. The school premises, including the new buildings, are maintained to a high standard and are safe places in which pupils can learn. The new classroom development is light and airy. Classrooms are provided with climate control systems that both heat and cool the classrooms to maintain a comfortable temperature. Classrooms have access to suitable toilet facilities, which include those suitable for any person who has special educational needs and/or disabilities. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(c)  The school has suitable medical facilities for the proposed increase in the number on the school roll. A fully equipped medical room is located in the main school building.

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Main inspection findings

Suitable first aid facilities have been included in the recently completed development of the new classroom. Paragraph 26  The acoustic conditions of the classrooms ensure that they are suited to the activities that take place within them. Paragraph 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The lighting in all rooms is suitable. External lighting is in place outside all of the school’s buildings to allow safe entry and exit. Emergency lighting is in place and operating to aid any necessary evacuation. This is well maintained through a service agreement with a specialist company. The newly constructed classroom development also has effective emergency lighting. These new classrooms benefit from automated lighting indoors that promotes energy efficiency. Lights are activated when persons are detected in rooms and the ambient lighting levels are low. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils have access to drinking water at all times. In the new building that contains additional classrooms, clearly marked taps supplied by mains water provide a readily available supply of fresh drinking water.  Washing facilities are available in all toilets, including those in the new classroom annex. The temperature of the hot water, where supplied, does not pose a scalding risk to users. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The school has extensive grounds that are suitable for a wide range of sports and recreation for a large number of pupils. As part of the new classroom development, leaders have provided a high-quality outdoor playground. The playground makes good use of safe surface materials. The specially designed playground equipment is aesthetically well matched to the new development and the school grounds.  The standards relating to the premises and accommodation at the school are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that the school meets the requirements to publish its safeguarding policy on the school’s website.  This standard is met.

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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), 34(1)(c)  Leaders and managers demonstrate a secure understanding of the independent school standards and how they apply to the needs of pupils currently attending the school. Leaders and managers have a clear commitment to ensuring that pupils attending the school are safe and that pupils’ well-being is strongly promoted. Leaders have carefully considered the expansion of the school numbers in response to a growing number of referrals received from a number of local authorities. Leaders have ensured that suitable accommodation is in place for the proposed anticipated increase in the number on the school roll. The well-considered design and project management have ensured that the building of high-quality additional classrooms, toilets and recreational facilities meets the needs of the anticipated additional pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders also demonstrate a secure understanding of the need for additional staff to support the proposed increase to the school’s number of pupils on roll. Leaders have well-established procedures in place to recruit the appropriate number of members of staff.  Leaders have ensured that the standards inspected as part of this inspection are likely to be met following the proposed material change to the school’s registration. Consequently, the standards relating to leadership and management are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have ensured that the school meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act. Leaders have an accessibility plan in place. They have carefully considered and implemented effective action to ensure that the newly constructed classroom annex meets building regulations relating to accessibility.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address s.lea@crookheyhallschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 23–25 January 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 17 10 to 17 10 to 17

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 74 92 92

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 74 92

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 As required

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 74 92

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 74 92

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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 74 92

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 17 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 23 29

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Information about this school

 Crookhey Hall School is an independent day special school for boys and girls. The school is located in a Victorian country house with extensive grounds, near Garstang in Lancashire. It is owned and operated by Acorn Care and Education.  Pupils are admitted to full-time education at the school as a result of their social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils on roll have an education, health and care plan.  The school aims to provide ‘boys and girls with an educational experience that will not only extend their academic and vocational social skills and abilities, but will also promote personal growth and help to build self-esteem’.  In addition to the academic and vocational provision on-site, the school works with 4Techmoto in Preston to offer courses for pupils in motor vehicle maintenance.  The school does not use alternative provision.  The school’s last standard inspection was in January 2018.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the registration authority to consider the proposed material change to the school’s maximum number of pupils on roll. In carrying out this type of inspection, inspectors assess the extent to which the school is likely to meet ‘The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014’ following the proposed material change.  The inspector checked on the proprietor’s compliance with the parts of the independent school standards that were commissioned.  During the inspection, meetings were held with the headteacher, the proprietor’s director of education, the proprietor’s facilities manager and an assistant director of education, who is the chair of the school’s governing body. Additionally, a telephone conversation was held with a director of the proprietary company who is registered at Companies House.  The inspector reviewed the school’s policies in relation to welfare, health and safety

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Information about this inspection

and the suitability of staff. A scrutiny of the school’s safeguarding procedures, including recruitment processes and checks, was also undertaken. A tour of the school premises was undertaken jointly with the headteacher, the company’s facilities manager and the senior officers of the proprietary company who met with the inspector. The inspector took part in and evaluated the whole-school evacuation brought about by the accidental triggering of the school’s fire alarm system.

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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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Inspection team

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