Woodbury School

Woodbury School Bushbury Court, Helier Road, Wolverhampton WV10 8ED

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  As a routine part of the inspection, the inspector checked the school’s arrangements for safeguarding. These standards were met at the school’s standard inspection in September 2018.  The school has made appropriate arrangements to safeguard pupils. Staff have received recent training about safeguarding matters and understand the risks that pupils might face. Senior leaders have had specific training about the dangers of extreme views and about female genital mutilation.  The school’s safeguarding policy is informed by the most recent guidance from the Secretary of State. The policy is available on the school’s website and in hard copy to those parents who request it.  These standards remain met. Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 14  One focus of this inspection was to check whether the school’s behaviour policy is

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Main inspection findings

adequate and implemented effectively. These standards were met at the school’s standard inspection in September 2018.  The school’s written behaviour policy is fit for purpose. It provides guidance for staff and pupils and describes the rewards and sanctions that staff should use. Staff and pupils say particular strategies help them to work together to improve behaviour.  The school keeps records of any inappropriate behaviour. Entries in the school’s records of such behaviour are detailed and closely linked to the individual risk assessments that are completed for all pupils. Records indicate how incidents of poor behaviour are managed and the actions taken to improve behaviour.  During this inspection, pupils were appropriately supervised. There is no evidence of bullying in the school or of any of the pupils being treated unfairly. Pupils are confident that other pupils would not hurt them or deliberately upset them. They say

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Main inspection findings

that staff are kind and care for them. They feel safe. Staff spoken with say that they also feel safe and that the school manages behaviour well.  These standards remain met. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13  Another focus of this inspection was to check whether health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy. These standards were met at the school’s standard inspection in September 2018.  Leaders make sure that staff are well trained in all aspects of health and safety. A health and safety ambassador leads the staff team. Records of health and safety matters are detailed, and the staff work diligently to ensure that practice is continuously improved. This ensures a safe environment for pupils.  Leaders and staff know their roles and responsibilities in the event of a fire alarm and are vigilant to ensure that fire exit routes are familiar to staff and pupils. Evacuation

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Main inspection findings

procedures are clear and regular practices are completed and recorded. Pupils demonstrated a well-informed understanding of fire safety.  All staff are trained in the administration of first aid. The written first-aid policy is fit for purpose. Detailed records of the administration of first aid and medicines are maintained. Pupils know all staff can be approached with concerns about their welfare. Pupils feel able to approach staff with worries and concerns.  These standards remain met. Paragraphs 15, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor maintains admission and attendance registers. Admissions are related to the specific needs of pupils, and are linked to the requests of local authorities to meet those needs. Attendance is carefully recorded and contact with parents and/or carers is established on the first day of any absence, to ensure the safety and well- being of pupils. These standards were met at the school’s standard inspection in

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Main inspection findings

September 2018.  Detailed and comprehensive risk assessments are undertaken for all individual pupils. Staff are fully involved in considering appropriate strategies to meet the specific needs of pupils and to mitigate any risks established. For example, where the previous behaviour of pupils is considered a risk, appropriate arrangements are made to meet the specific personal, social and emotional learning needs of these pupils. Should visits be made outside the school, specific plans are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of pupils.  All school visits are risk assessed and actions are planned to reduce the identified risks. School leaders carry out detailed risk assessments for a range of different activities.  These standards remain met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)  These standards were met at the school’s standard inspection in September 2018.

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Main inspection findings

 Several concerns have been raised with the registration authority, related to behaviour and the health, safety and welfare of pupils. These concerns were considered during this inspection. While unaware that the concerns have been raised with the DfE, the school’s records indicate that leaders have effectively followed their policies and procedures when incidents occurred. All actions taken had been recorded and those actions communicated to parents. Securing the welfare and safety of pupils is a key aspect of the school’s purpose.  Staff have received extensive training and they regularly reflect on their practice to ensure that the particular needs of pupils are met. Specific areas of knowledge and skills, for example those related to behaviour management and the development of pupils’ personal responsibilities, are detailed. The school’s development plan indicates further areas of professional development, for leaders and for staff.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor and headteacher have managed the concerns in accordance with their agreed procedures and show considerable expertise in working with the pupils in their care. Designated leaders complete regular risk assessments and monitor the health and safety provision. All aspects of health and safety are scrutinised. Actions are recorded, and improvements are made where necessary.  Further scrutiny of the school’s work is provided by managers in the Horizon Care and Education Company. They work effectively with leaders to identify and to tackle any issues. This ensures that the independent school standards are met consistently.  These standards remain met.

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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 were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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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.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 1

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School details

Proprietor Horizon Care and Education Group Ltd

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School details

Email address enquiries@horizoncare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25–27 September 2018

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Information about this school

 Woodbury school is one of a group of schools run by the Horizon Care and Education Group. It was first registered by the Department for Education (DfE) in February 2018.  The school provides full-time education for pupils between the ages of seven and 18 and is registered by the DfE to accommodate up to 42 pupils. It operates from a self- contained building, standing within its own grounds, in Wolverhampton, West Midlands.  Pupils are referred to the school by local authorities. There are currently 31 pupils on roll. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The current headteacher has been in post since June 2019.  Pupils attending the school typically have a range of social, emotional and mental health difficulties and a history of interrupted schooling due to exclusion. Many pupils have been out of education for a significant time.  The school aims to address the individual, personal, social and emotional learning

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Information about this school

needs of pupils by developing their self-esteem and teaching them to make appropriate choices. The aim is to enable pupils to reintegrate into school or continue into further education and employment.  The school does not use any alternative providers.  The school’s last standard inspection was in September 2018 and, at that time, it was judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspection was prompted by information received by the DfE which raised concerns about behaviour and the welfare and safety of pupils at the school. These concerns were considered during this inspection.  The inspection was carried out with no notice and lasted one day.  The inspection focused on provision for pupils’ welfare, health and safety and leadership and management.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and other staff. In addition, he spoke to pupils. He looked at school policies and records, information from pupils and staff, and examined the safeguarding policy and the single central record of employment checks on staff.  Before the inspection, the inspector checked the school’s website and looked at information on the internet.

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Inspection team

Mike Onyon, 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

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 looked after children, 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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