New Barn School

School material change inspection report

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New Barn School Guildford Road, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 3PQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11  Thorough procedures are in place to ensure that safeguarding is effective. The school has a compliant safeguarding policy on its website which takes account of the latest national guidance and legislation.  The comprehensive health and safety policy is implemented well. School leaders make sure that appropriate actions are taken to check that arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils are failsafe. Records of checks are kept meticulously. Paragraph 12  Leaders have commissioned an independent fire advisory body to check that the school is compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The fire risk assessment of the premises is carried out regularly and any areas to improve are rectified quickly. The school has yet to undertake a fire risk assessment of the additional building because it is in the final stages of refurbishment. This fire risk

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Main inspection findings

assessment is scheduled to take place in the very near future.  A log of checks of maintenance of fire appliances, weekly tests and fire drills is kept up to date. Paragraph 14  There are approximately four pupils in each class. With the expansion of numbers proposed, leaders do not intend to increase the class sizes. Each class has a teacher and teaching assistant. There are also other staff, such as therapists. Leaders have already appointed additional staff to ensure that extra pupils are supervised well and kept safe. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have developed an effective risk assessment policy. Records show that staff understand differing levels of risk and plan to take appropriate actions to minimise them. Leaders have considered well the risks to pupils associated with the additional building. A soft outside play surface and a high perimeter fence are planned to reduce the chance of accidents and keep pupils safe.  Trip leaders consider the risks associated with school trips, visits and work experience. Records show they consider the risks associated with pupils’ individual needs and take precautions appropriately.  All the requirements that were checked are likely to continue to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 17, 18, 19, 20, 21  Leaders carry out statutory checks to ensure that staff employed at the school are suitable to work with children. These checks are recorded in detail in a single central record.  The school does not intend to employ supply staff. Should a member of staff be absent there is capacity to cover that member of the staff within the school. The school intends to employ another 19 members of staff, should the material change be approved. In the unlikely event that supply staff are required, leaders state that all required checks will be carried out.  The school has carried out and recorded all the required checks for the board of directors that provides governance for the school.  All the requirements are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

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Main inspection findings

 The school is in the final stages of completing the refurbishment of an additional building to accommodate the proposed expansion in pupil capacity. School leaders expect the vast majority of increased numbers of pupils to be in key stage 2.  The existing school is situated in a rural setting. The school has six general classrooms, all of a good size for at least four pupils. Additional specialist areas include a science laboratory, art studio, food- and material-technology rooms, music room, library and computing room. All areas are spacious and well equipped.  Smaller rooms are also available for therapeutic services.  A large sports hall provides indoor space for physical education. There is ample outdoor space, including a sports-pitch area with artificial turf to enable usage throughout the year.  The additional accommodation is an existing building adjacent to the current school. It has been carefully remodelled to include a further five classrooms, medical

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Main inspection findings

accommodation and additional toilets. The outside space around this building is ample. This building is planned to be used as a key stage 2 area.  There is access to adequate toilet facilities for the school’s increase in numbers. The toilets have hot and cold running water, controlled at an appropriate temperature. The school complies with all aspects of premises requirements, such as providing showers and changing facilities, and a medical room with hot and cold water and a bed. Suitable drinking-water sources are provided.  All buildings are kept in very good condition.  There is ample space for the proposed increase of numbers from 34 to 68 pupils.  Once the building work is completed, all the requirements are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Directors and the well-informed executive principal have made sure that the school is

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Main inspection findings

compliant with the independent school standards relevant to the proposed material change.  Leaders have considered well how a further 34 pupils may affect procedures to keep pupils safe. They sensibly plan to enroll the extra pupils over a period of about two years. Staff capacity will be increased accordingly. A new key stage 2 leader has already been appointed.  Board of trustees’ minutes show that members have kept a careful eye on the plans to expand the school. They are highly skilled and knowledgeable, especially about safeguarding matters. Governance procedures to check the quality of provision are robust so they ensure that the school provides well for pupils’ special educational needs.  School leaders have ensured that a culture of safeguarding permeates the school. The school’s safeguarding policies and effective health and safety practice meet requirements well.  All the requirements are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve

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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 Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £53,000 to £63,000

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School details

Email address info@treehouseeducare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 15–17 May 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 19 not applicable not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 30 68 68

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 30 68

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 30 68

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 30 68

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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 68

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 15 34

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision not applicable not applicable

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Information about this school

 New Barn School is an independent special day school for girls and boys aged between seven and 19 years of age.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan related to autism spectrum disorders and associated difficulties.  The school opened in January 2017. It had a full standard inspection in May 2018 when the school was judged as providing a good standard of education.  The school uses Plumpton College in East Sussex as an alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This first material change inspection was carried out at the request of the DfE as the school had applied to increase the number of pupils on roll from 34 to 68.  Meetings were held with the executive principal and the premises officer. A discussion was held with the chair of the board of directors.  The inspector toured the premises, including the additional building that is under refurbishment.  The inspector looked at a range of policies and documents connected with health and safety, safeguarding pupils and governance.  The school’s website was viewed.

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Inspection team

Sue Child, 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

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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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