Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd t/a the Libra School

School material change inspection report

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Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd T/A the Libra School

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Edgemoor Court, South Radworthy, South Molton, Devon EX36 3LN

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  Leaders pay high regard to the safety of pupils attending the school, many of whom are highly vulnerable. Policies and procedures are detailed, published on the school’s website, and applied robustly. Leaders, including the designated safeguarding lead, have a secure understanding of current guidance and have ensured that the school’s practices are in line with the latest statutory legislation, such as ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (2018). Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  Leaders have established secure systems to maintain the safety and well-being of pupils while they are on the school site. The health and safety policy is appropriate to the setting and in line with statutory guidance. It outlines clearly the expectations placed on all members of the school’s community.  The fire risk assessment is updated regularly so that it identifies and mitigates any

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Main inspection findings

identified risks to pupils’ safety. Additionally, there is a robust suite of risk assessments in place to cover different aspects of the school’s work. This includes bespoke risk assessments for lessons, off-site visits, the premises and individual pupils. Paragraph 14  Supervision ratios are appropriate for the pupils currently attending the school and leaders have plans in place to increase the number of teachers and support staff. When implemented, this increase in staffing is likely to provide effective supervision for the additional pupils as proposed by the school’s material change application.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in Part 3 are likely to be met by the school if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(4) and 21(6)–21(7)(b)  Leaders and administrative staff display a deep understanding of safer recruitment. Consequently, the school’s procedures for ensuring the suitability of adults working in the school are extremely thorough and in line with statutory guidance. All the required checks have been undertaken for school leaders, including the directors. The headteacher and designated safeguarding lead have ensured that teaching staff are recruited in line with safer recruitment practices.  The school’s single central record is fully compliant and exemplifies best practice. This provides evidence that checks have been made in line with statutory guidance. Paragraphs 19(1)–19(3) and 21(5)–21(5)(c)  Due to the complex needs of the pupils attending the school, leaders do not currently

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Main inspection findings

utilise supply staff.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in Part 4 are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–29(1)(b)  The school’s premises are well maintained and, at the time of this inspection, were fully compliant with the independent school standards. An increase in pupil numbers, as proposed by the school’s material change application, will not require leaders to make any structural changes to the premises. The existing premises are suitable for the additional pupils and so it is not anticipated that there will be any detrimental impact on the school’s ability to continue to meet the independent school standards contained in this part.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in Part 5 are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  Leaders, including the directors, have a secure understanding of the independent school standards. There are established systems in place to ensure that the safety and well-being of pupils are ensured as much as is possible.  Leaders have considered fully the implications that any increase in numbers might have on the school. Any possible risks have been taken into account and mitigated appropriately.  School leaders have ensured that the standards in Part 8 are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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 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 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 Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Blackford Education (Schools) Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £66,066 to £78,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 13–15 November 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 18 5 to 18 5 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 30 40 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 30 40 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 30 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 30 40

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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 30 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 4

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Information about this school

 The Libra School is an independent special school and therapeutic community for pupils with severe social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The school opened in July 2001 and relocated to its current site in 2007.  The school is currently registered for 30 pupils. These are referred to the Libra School by local authorities, social services and health departments from around the country. The Libra School works with boys and girls between the ages of five and 18 years old. At the time of the inspection, there were no students in the sixth form.  All pupils attending the school have an education, health and care plan and about a third of pupils are eligible for pupil premium funding.  The school was last inspected in November 2018, when it was judged to be good. At that time, the school met the independent school standards and complied with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.  The proprietors, who are the company representatives, have responsibility for the

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Information about this school

governance of the school.  No pupils attend alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was commissioned by the DfE in order to assess whether the school is likely to meet the independent school standards, should the proposed material change be implemented.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher, the designated safeguarding lead, the school manager and a director. The inspector examined the school’s material change application and looked at other documents provided by the school, including those relating to the safeguarding of pupils. Along with the headteacher, he undertook a tour of the school’s premises.

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Inspection team

Jonathan Dyer, 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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