Oakwood Community School

School material change inspection report

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Oakwood School 20 Main Street, Glenfield, Leicester, Leicestershire LE3 8DG

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a) and 16(b), 25  Leaders have not drawn up a health and safety policy or health and safety procedures for the new site. The company has a generic health and safety policy, but it is not relevant for the new school setting. It does not show what checks will be carried out, who will carry them out or how these will be monitored. Leaders have not given sufficient thought to the particular health and safety hazards that the new site may pose.  A fire-risk assessment has been carried out for the new site by a suitably qualified person. Leaders have clear plans in place for the positioning of fire-safety equipment and fire-exit route signage. One of the headteachers has undertaken training to be a fire marshal and has a good understanding of this aspect of health and safety. Leaders have drawn up check sheets that show how often equipment, including the

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Main inspection findings

fire alarm and emergency lighting, will be tested. The requirements for this paragraph are likely to be met.  Since the previous inspection, leaders have drawn up a new risk assessment policy. This states that leaders will carry out risk assessment of the building and the environment. However, these have not been completed. Leaders have carried out a report on the safety of the local area and understand some of the risks that are present. They have not used this knowledge to draw up suitable risk assessments that show how the risks will be mitigated. They have not thought carefully enough about some of the potential health and safety risks on the school site, such as the body of water that lies at the front of the site, or the high volume of traffic that could be on site at the same time. No risk assessments are in place for the planned new site.  The school is not likely to meet the standards in this part should the material change

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Main inspection findings

be implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a) to (c); 24(1), 24(1)(a) and (b), 24(2)  The proposed new site has adequate and suitable toilet and washing facilities for pupils and staff. The building works are not yet complete, but leaders are confident that all the remaining work will be finished in time to admit pupils at the start of the new term.  The site has separate toilets for boys and girls that are located near to the classrooms and the dining areas. The toilets can be locked from the inside and are intended for use by one pupil at a time.  There are enough toilets to cater for the proposed increase to the number of pupils that the school is registered for.  Suitable changing rooms and showers are provided for pupils. These are for use by boys and girls but will only be used by one single-sex group at a time. The changing room is suitable to accommodate a teaching group. The showers are located next to

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Main inspection findings

the changing room.  Leaders intend to locate the medical room in the proposed office block. The proposed room is of suitable size and is next to a toilet. This toilet will be also be use by staff but will always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).  The school is likely to meet the requirements of these paragraphs, should the material change be implemented. Paragraphs 26, 27, 27(a) and (b)  The proposed premises consist of purpose-built buildings on a spacious site. These provide extensive accommodation for teaching, physical education and recreation.  The classrooms are of an appropriate size and are well lit. Leaders have considered the acoustic properties of the classrooms and have included materials in their construction that will help to insulate sound in each room.  The site has external lighting that will ensure that people can safely enter and leave

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Main inspection findings

the school premises. It was not possible to test the lighting as it is not yet complete. Paragraphs 28(1), 28(1)(a) to (d); 28(2), 28(2)(a) and (b)  Leaders plan to install drinking water facilities in the dining area. They are aware of the requirement to ensure that any water intended for drinking is clearly labelled as such and is not located in a toilet area.  There is a water supply in each classroom. There are temperature controls on the hot water to ensure that it does not pose a risk of scalding.  It was not possible to test the temperature of the water during the inspection as the water supply is not yet switched on. However, leaders are aware of the need to ensure that the toilets and showers have an adequate supply of hot and cold water and to carry out regular checks on the temperature of the water. Paragraphs 29(1), 29(1)(a) and (b)  The school has extensive outdoor space for pupils to play. This will include, when

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Main inspection findings

complete, a grassed area with a covered pavilion, a garden allotment and games pitches. The site backs onto surrounding fields and provides a pleasant setting for pupils to enjoy their recreation time.  The building site has a space that will be a sports hall and gymnasium. This is a spacious room that will allow pupils to take part in a wide range of sports.  The current spaces would accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  With the exception of paragraph 25, the standards in Part 5 are likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) approves implementation of the material change.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely 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, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Headteachers Sharon Dhesi and Kevin Kinsella

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School details

Website http://www.unitededucation.co.uk/ed

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School details

Email address kevin.kinsella@unitedes.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 22–24 January 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 18 8 to 16 8 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 20 40 20

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recommendation

The school does not currently meet the requirements of Part 3 of the independent school standards.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 20 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 20 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 20 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 5 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 15 15

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Information about this school

 Oakwood School is registered to provide full-time education for up to 20 pupils aged between eight and 18 years old who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties, together with associated challenging behaviour. There are no post-16 students currently on roll.  Some pupils live in the care of the local authority. Most have an education, health and care plan.  The school is currently operating at EMP House, Sapcote Road, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire LE9 4DW. It intends to move to the new premises at the end of August 2019. The proposed new site is currently under construction.  The school’s aim is to enable pupils to ‘learn to understand, manage and improve their own behaviour, and to build positive relationships with adults and with other pupils’.  The school’s last standard inspection took place on 22–24 January 2019. At this inspection, the school was found not to be meeting the independent school standards

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Information about this school

in full and was judged inadequate.  There has been a change in proprietor since the previous inspection. This change has not been registered on the DfE website, Get information about schools.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE commissioned this material change inspection, in response to the school’s request to move premises and increase the capacity of the school to admit up to 40 pupils.  The inspector met with the co-headteachers and the chair of the proprietorial board. Jointly with these leaders, the inspector undertook a tour of the school’s proposed new premises.  The inspector scrutinised relevant policies, procedures and records to check the school’s compliance with the relevant independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Deirdre Duignan, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured. 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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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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