Heathside Preparatory School

School and boarding progress monitoring inspection report

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Heathside Preparatory School 16 New End, Hampstead, London NW3 1JA

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this inspection

Residential provision outcome The school meets all of the national

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 3, 3(a)  At the full standard inspection, leaders had not ensured that teaching in the upper school enabled pupils to achieve well.  The action plan submitted by the school to the Department for Education (DfE) set out how leaders would review schemes of work to improve pupils’ writing. It also detailed leaders’ raised expectations for pupils’ behaviour and presentation of their work. The action plan made clear how leaders would monitor the quality of teaching to ensure improved consistency.  Leaders have taken effective action. Teachers have higher expectations of pupils’ work and a greater understanding of their individual needs. Teachers make better use of assessment to identify and address quickly any gaps in pupils’ knowledge. Pupils feel that teachers know them better and that work is more personalised for them.  Pupils are more involved in activities in the classroom and their behaviour has improved.

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Main inspection findings

Pupils like the higher expectations of behaviour because this helps them concentrate and learn. They typically said, ‘It is strict – but in a good way’. Pupils take more pride in their work and they have improved the presentation of their books.  Leaders are developing the curriculum to enable pupils to achieve well. Teachers have made improvements to the way topics are sequenced and fit together. As a result, pupils are readily able to recall and apply their knowledge to more complex tasks.  The requirements of this paragraph are met.  The school meets all the requirements for this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 8, 8(a), 8(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  At the full standard inspection, the requirements of these paragraphs were met.  The designated safeguarding leader (DSL) and the safeguarding team continue to monitor and respond to concerns in line with the statutory guidance on safeguarding, including in the

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Main inspection findings

boarding provision. Staff have had up-to-date safeguarding training and know how to record and report any concerns they may have. Leaders take advice from local authority safeguarding professionals, where necessary, and follow the advice received. Leaders carry out thorough pre-employment checks on all staff. The safeguarding policy meets requirements and is available on the website for parents and carers.  The requirements of these paragraphs are met. Paragraph 10  At the full standard inspection, the requirements of this paragraph were met.  All the pupils who spoke to inspectors across year groups and on the three main sites reported that there is no bullying. They all feel safe. If bullying does occur, then pupils are confident that they can speak to an adult who would help them. Pupils’ views are supported by the school’s records of bullying. The number of bullying concerns reported is low and there

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Main inspection findings

are very few repeat incidents.  Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education underpins the school’s anti-bullying ethos effectively. Pupils are encouraged to show respect and tolerance for all groups of people, particularly with regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2019.  The requirements of this paragraph are met. Paragraph 13  At the full standard inspection, the requirements of this paragraph were met.  Healthcare plans are in place for all pupils who need them. The plans detail the medical needs and action required for each pupil. There is a regular process of updating this information with parents. Pupils know and understand the first aid procedures. Pupils feel safe because staff look after them well. There are trained first aiders, including paediatric first aiders, on all school sites. Selected staff have had additional recent training so that they know how to use

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Main inspection findings

an ‘EpiPen’ for the treatment of the symptoms of severe allergic reaction and the procedures to follow.  The requirements of this paragraph are met.  The school meets all the requirements for this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  At the full standard inspection, the requirements of this paragraph were met.  Leaders have addressed the health and safety concerns. The premises have been inspected by pest control services. Leaders have implemented all recommendations and make follow-up checks appropriately. The proprietor has strengthened the system of health and safety monitoring. The school sites are well maintained.  The requirements of this paragraph are met.  The school meets all the requirements for this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a), 33(b), 33(c), 33(d), 33(e), 33(f), 33(g), 33(h), 33(i), 33(i)(i), 33(i)(ii), 33(j), 33(j)(i), 33(j)(ii) and 33(k)  At the full standard inspection, the requirements of this paragraph were met.  The complaints policy is detailed and thorough. It includes references to the independent school standards throughout the text. The policy explains the procedure to parents and makes clear that leaders are motivated to resolve issues of concern. The number of complaints in the last academic year is noted in the policy. Leaders follow the policy when formal complaints are made and take appropriate action.  The requirements of this paragraph are met.  The school meets all the requirements for this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)  At the full standard inspection, leaders were disorganised. Systems to hold leaders and staff to account were ineffective. There were weaknesses in the way leaders communicated with staff and parents.  The school’s action plan submitted by the school to the DfE set out how leaders intended to review job descriptions and ensure that staff understood their role in the organisation.  The headteacher and leaders have taken effective action. Leaders have made considerable progress in addressing the priority areas. The headteacher is highly organised, determined to improve the school and is creating an inclusive caring ethos for pupils and staff.  Leaders have compiled clear job descriptions. The school organisation diagram is complete, and staff know the line management arrangements. Staff have confidence in

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Main inspection findings

leaders and staff morale is rising. Staff said that everyone is now clear on their roles. Communication has improved. Leaders reply to emails and staff can get answers. Staff feel more valued as their concerns are listened to and acted upon by senior leaders.  The leadership procedures which met requirements in previous inspections remain rigorous and effective. This includes procedures for safe recruitment of staff and to record the destinations of pupils who leave the school.  Governors are professional and knowledgeable. Since July 2019, they have carefully reviewed the school’s strengths and weaknesses and lost no time in taking action to make essential improvements.  Leaders’ focus is to consolidate the school’s strengths before making further developments. Inspection evidence shows that parents support the changes that leaders are making. They appreciate the improved communication with the headteacher, school leaders and governors.

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Main inspection findings

 The requirements of this paragraph are met.  The school meets all the requirements for this part.

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Boarding provision

The national minimum standards that were assessed during this inspection Standard 11  Boarders feel secure and happy in the boarding provision. The accommodation is safe, well maintained and meets their needs. Boarders can identify a member of the boarding staff they can talk to if they have any concerns.  Leaders provide boarders with the contact numbers of appropriate external agencies who can provide advice and advocacy. Boarders also benefit from regular visits from an independent listener, who is able to support them with any concerns they have.  Boarding staff are aware of how to report any incidents of concern to the school’s safeguarding leaders, who take appropriate action when required. Standard 13.1, 13.3, 13.4  The school now has a governing body. Governors have relevant professional backgrounds and experience, so they have a well-informed oversight of the boarding provision.  Leaders seek and act on advice from external consultants to help improve the boarding

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Boarding provision

provision further.  The senior leadership team has been reorganised and now includes the head of boarding. Leaders have an improved understanding of the boarding provision and there is greater clarity of their roles and purpose. This has resulted in a more consistent approach to the boarding provision.

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standards for boarding schools

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and the national minimum standards for boarding schools and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school: – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that: – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  8 Where section 87(1) of the 1989 Act applies in relation to a school the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that: – 8(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of boarders while they are accommodated at the school; and – 8(b) such arrangements have regard to the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools or, where applicable, the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools or the National Minimum Standards for Accommodation of Students under Eighteen by Further Education Colleges.  10 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that bullying at the school is prevented in so far as is reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

implementation of an effective anti-bullying strategy.  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.

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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.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that: – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request.  33 The standard about the manner in which complaints are handled is met if the proprietor ensures that a complaints procedure is drawn up and effectively implemented which deals with the handling of complaints from parents of pupils and which: – 33(a) is in writing; – 33(b) is made available to parents of pupils; – 33(c) sets out clear time scales for the management of a complaint; – 33(d) allows for a complaint to be made and considered initially on an informal basis; – 33(e) where the parent is not satisfied with the response to the complaint made in accordance with sub-paragraph (d), establishes a formal procedure for the complaint

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

to be made in writing; – 33(f) where the parent is not satisfied with the response to the complaint made in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), makes provision for a hearing before a panel appointed by or on behalf of the proprietor and consisting of at least three people who were not directly involved in the matters detailed in the complaint; – 33(g) ensures that, where there is a panel hearing of a complaint, one panel member is independent of the management and running of the school; – 33(h) allows for a parent to attend and be accompanied at a panel hearing if they wish; – 33(i) provides for the panel to make findings and recommendations and stipulates that a copy of those findings and recommendations is: – 33(i)(i)provided to the complainant and, where relevant, the person complained about; and – 33(i)(ii) available for inspection on the school premises by the proprietor and the headteacher; – 33(j) provides for a written record to be kept of all complaints that are made in

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

accordance with sub-paragraph (e) and: – 33(j)(i) whether they are resolved following a formal procedure, or proceed to a panel hearing; and – 33(j)(ii) action taken by the school as a result of those complaints (regardless of whether they are upheld); and – 33(k) provides that correspondence, statements and records relating to individual complaints are to be kept confidential except where the Secretary of State or a body conducting an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act requests access to them.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school: – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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schools

 The school must ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (NMS 11.1).  The school’s governing body and/or proprietor monitors the effectiveness of the leadership, management and delivery of the boarding and welfare provision in the school and takes appropriate action where necessary (NMS 13.1).  The school’s leadership and management demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role (NMS 13.3).  The school’s leadership and management consistently fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the standards are met (NMS 13.4).

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School details

Social care unique reference number 1280475

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school. The inspection of boarding provision was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

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School details

School status Independent boarding school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £9,000 to £18,500

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School details

Annual fees (boarders) There are no additional fees for boarding

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 19–21 March 2019

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Information about this school

 Heathside Preparatory School is an independent boarding school for girls and boys in the London Borough of Camden. The school is registered for up to 600 pupils between the ages of two and 14. There are currently 274 pupils on roll. The school opened a boarding provision in January 2018 for boys and girls aged eight years and over.  The school is based on four sites, all of which are in Hampstead, London NW3. The boarding provision is located at the premises used by the upper school at West Heath Road. The lower school is located at 84A Heath Street. The middle school is at 16 New End. Year 6 pupils attend the premises at The Old White Bear. Year groups are no longer based at the synagogue, but the premises are used for some additional classes and events. The Territorial Army Centre in Hampstead is no longer used by the school. The school makes use of local parks and Hampstead Heath for outdoor space, including for

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Information about this school

the teaching of physical education.  There has been a change in proprietor since the last inspection. The proprietor is Hampstead Schools Ltd, which is a subgroup of Dukes Schools Ltd. The new proprietor took over the school in July 2019. A new governing body has been set up and the chair of governors is the founder and chief executive officer. The safeguarding advisory board has been disbanded as a group.  There have been several changes in school leadership since the last full standard inspection. One of the former interim co-headteachers of the upper school has been appointed as the substantive headteacher of the whole school. The head of boarding, who is also deputy headteacher of the upper school, continues in post. A new deputy headteacher has taken up a post to lead the lower school. A new special educational needs coordinator was appointed to the upper school. A new director of curriculum studies has taken up his post to lead curriculum development across the school. New

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Information about this school

leaders have been appointed for sport, drama and music across the age range.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools, the Department for Education. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection; and in response to concerns about the school.  The school’s last standard inspection took place in March 2019, when the school was judged to require improvement. The boarding provision was judged to be good.  This inspection, in September 2019, took place without notice.  Inspectors met with leaders, including the headteacher, the head of boarding, the designated safeguarding lead and the compliance officer. Inspectors spoke informally with several other staff, including teaching, support staff and boarding staff.  The lead inspector met with two governors, including the chair of governors. An inspector met

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Information about this inspection

with two representatives of the parent-teacher association.  Inspectors visited the high, lower and middle schools to talk to pupils and staff and check the health and safety of the premises.  Inspectors visited classes in the upper school and the boarding provision.  Inspectors spoke to six groups of pupils across the age range from two to 14 years, including boarders. Inspectors spoke to other pupils informally at lunchtime.  A range of documentation was scrutinised, including safeguarding records, records of bullying and first aid and the impact of leadership.

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Inspection team

Janet Hallett, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Social Care Regulatory 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

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.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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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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