Spring Hill High School

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Spring Hill High School C/O 28 Slade Road, Erdington, Birmingham, West Midlands B23 7PG

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 12 and [Part 6. Provision of information 32(1), 32(1)(c)]  The school did not meet all the independent school standards at its last standard inspection in June 2018. Leaders had not taken appropriate action to address concerns relating to fire safety. The accommodation for pupils who became unwell at school was inadequate.  An emergency inspection in November 2018 identified that leaders had taken appropriate action to address the fire safety concerns. Leaders had improved the accommodation for when pupils are unwell at school. As a result, the emergency inspection judged the standards in this part as met.  The school’s safeguarding policy takes account of current government requirements. It is supported by, and has clear links to, a range of other school policies that promote the safety and well-being of pupils. These include safer recruitment, behaviour management,

p.1

Main inspection findings

spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, anti-sexting and drugs use. It provides a strong framework to guide the work of the school in its efforts to keep pupils safe from harm or the risk of harm.  The school has launched its website. Parents and carers can now access a range of school policies, including the safeguarding policy, online. Paper copies of the safeguarding policy are available on request. The website also provides contact information and previous inspection reports.  There were no instances of poor behaviour during this inspection. Staff know their pupils and know how to manage pupil anxieties. Relationships are positive and supportive, and staff are very caring.  All of the standards in this part continue to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b) and 25  At the last standard inspection, inspectors found that the accommodation for the

p.1

Main inspection findings

treatment and short-term care of pupils was inadequate. Also, the proprietor had not ensured that all sites complied with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The emergency inspection identified that leaders had taken appropriate action to improve fire safety and had met the requirements of the independent school standards.  Leaders continue to build on their progress to improve the accommodation and facilities for all pupils. The three sites that are in use are well kept, clean and tidy.  Each site has a dedicated medical room so that sick pupils have privacy and illnesses are contained. Each room has washing facilities and a toilet, or is near to a toilet.  The Wood End site has been refurbished. Most of the pupils at this site are in key stages 4 and 5. Pupils are taught on a one-to-one basis, but in some instances they are taught in small groups. This arrangement is helping the older pupils to prepare for when they

p.1

Main inspection findings

move on from the school. Lunch is a communal activity where pupils and staff have opportunities to interact informally. It was a pleasure to see pupils enjoying socialising in this way.  Leaders have closed the Hunton Road site for refurbishment. They intended to refurbish all sites to bring them up to the same standard as at Wood End.  Each site has a standard health and safety file in which leaders keep the annual fire safety audits. A specialist company carries out these audits.  Records show that leaders regularly check fire safety equipment, alarms and emergency lighting. Fire drills are carried out routinely. Fire safety and first-aid equipment was where it was supposed to be.  Each site has an evacuation map in each room so that staff and pupils know how to get out of the building quickly and where to meet.  Maintenance logs show that any defects are corrected quickly. Leaders ensure that

p.2

Main inspection findings

regular checks take place on the condition of sockets, lights, boilers and toilets.  All of the standards in this part are met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  At the last standard inspection, the proprietor had not ensured that all the independent school standards were met. The unmet standards had a direct impact on the welfare and well-being of pupils.  School leaders have significantly improved their knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards. They have planned carefully and implemented their action plans. This has improved the accommodation and facilities that provide for the welfare and well-being of pupils.  Leaders have drawn information from health and safety specialists and safeguarding services to provide audits, risk assessments, advice and staff training so that the arrangements for making sure pupils are well cared for and well looked after have also

p.2

Main inspection findings

improved.  Leaders are reflective and receptive. When policies have been tested and need to change, they have taken specialist advice and adapted their practice. For example, the school drugs use policy and procedures were improved by including a referral to the local safeguarding team should a pupil arrive at the school in an intoxicated state. Leaders provided staff training so that staff understood the changes and the school’s responsibilities. This change has strengthened the school’s safeguarding practice, and it promotes the well-being of pupils.  There is a strong culture of safeguarding and care within the school.  All of the standards in this part are met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school’s policies show that school leaders clearly understand their responsibilities under the 2010 Equality Act.  The school’s accessibility plan is suitable. It takes account of the potential physical and

p.2

Main inspection findings

cognitive barriers to learning that may be faced by the pupils the school caters for.

p.3

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 were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

p.4

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if–  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.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

p.4

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils including–  24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils;  24(1)(b) accommodation for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility.  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.

p.4

Part 8. Quality of leadership in 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; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

School status Independent special school

p.5

School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

p.5

School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 8

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £29,000 to £86,000

p.5

School details

Email address srferguson@springhillhighschool.co.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 12–14 June 2018

p.5

Information about this school

 Spring Hill High School is an independent special school located in the Gravelly Hill ward of Birmingham.  The school aims to provide a caring, safe and secure environment that values education and helps pupils to reach their full potential.  The school has four sites. One site has recently reopened following an extensive refurbishment. Three sites are currently in use and another is now closed for refurbishment. This arrangement will continue until the accommodation at all four sites has been upgraded.  The school is registered for up to 50 pupils. There are currently 20 pupils on roll, including a small number of students in the sixth form. The pupils have a range of social, emotional or mental health difficulties. Many pupils also have complex learning and/or medical needs, including autism spectrum disorder.  The previous standard inspection, in June 2018, judged the school to be inadequate. An

p.5

Information about this school

emergency inspection followed in November 2018 and it was judged that the independent school standards for pupils’ welfare and safety were being met.  Following the previous standard inspection in June 2018, the DfE served the school with a notice to prepare an action plan. In February 2019, the initial action plan produced by the school was rejected. A modified plan was accepted in May 2019.  The information on the government’s ‘get information about school’s website’ is not accurate. The school does not take boarders. Leaders have informed the DfE of this.  Since the previous inspection, the school has launched its website, which provides information about the school, contact details, shows a range of school policies and the school’s inspection reports.  The school does not have a religious character.  The school does not use alternative providers.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. 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.  This inspection was the first performance monitoring inspection since the standard inspection in June 2018 and was conducted without notice.  The inspector met with the proprietor, who is also the headteacher, and the deputy headteacher.  The inspector checked the arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils.  The inspector visited all four sites. She conducted a brief tour of the premises and accommodation at each site, during which she observed pupils and staff working together during lessons and at lunchtime.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation that included policies relating to

p.7

Information about this inspection

safeguarding, drugs use, arrangements for sick pupils, health and safety, and fire safety. The school’s action plan, training record and accessibility plan were also scrutinised.

p.7

Inspection team

Elizabeth Ellis-Martin, 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 .

p.7

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.

p.8

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 .

p.8

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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.8

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8