Twycross House School

Inspection of Twycross House School 1 Main Road, Twycross, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 3PL

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Sixth-form provision Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Does the school meet the independent school standards?

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish in this nurturing school. The proprietors have used the school’s extensive grounds and exceptional facilities to create a school rich with opportunities for pupils to explore their talents and interests. Pupils receive a high-quality education. They feel relaxed and cared for. They told us the school has a family atmosphere. Staff have developed strong trusting relationships with pupils. They know them exceptionally well. Teachers respect and listen to pupils. There are few incidents of bullying. Pupils’ behaviour is excellent.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils told us they feel fortunate to be able to attend this school. Adults model courteous behaviour. This helps pupils understand how to treat each other with respect. They say they know teachers value them and have high aspirations for their future careers. By the time they leave the school, pupils are extremely well prepared for future life.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Teachers give excellent help to support pupils’ academic and personal development. For example, teachers and pupils share breaktimes and eat lunch together. Teachers take these opportunities to make sure that pupils are happy and safe. They work individually with pupils outside lessons. This helps pupils to make better progress in their learning.

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better?

Staff have high expectations of all pupils, including those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They support them, at every opportunity, to achieve and develop their self-esteem. Most pupils gain excellent qualifications. All students progress to further education or employment.

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better?

Subject plans are logical and coherent. They identify what pupils need to learn and when. Pupils build on what they already know. They understand and remember what they are studying. In English, pupils develop strategies to help them find and identify information in the texts they read, including at GCSE and A level. In science, pupils develop their knowledge well as they progress through the school. For example, they build a good understanding of how blood vessels, arteries and veins work. As a result, pupils can consider complex questions related to temperature and respiration.

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better?

Teachers plan pupils’ learning from their starting points. They revisit learning to help pupils to recall and remember. Pupils who struggle have effective personalised tuition to help them to catch up and keep up. Teachers encourage pupils to develop resilience and determination. Pupils respond well to thought-provoking work. Pupils enhance their knowledge and skills through the school’s curriculum and culture. For example, pupils went to the theatre to watch a performance of the Shakespeare play they are studying. They participate in various subject workshops. In biology, pupils were eager to tell us about their recent ‘dinner and dissection’ 14–16 January 2020

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workshop. Pupils travel abroad to explore different cultures. They compare styles of architecture and practise their modern foreign language skills.

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Leaders prioritise the teaching of reading. Pupils read frequently. They discuss and share a variety of texts in lessons and with their friends. Teachers ensure that pupils understand the vocabulary of the books they read. As a result, pupils become confident, fluent readers.

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Pupils’ personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is strong. Pupils learn about diversity, equality and current affairs. They develop an understanding of different beliefs, values and cultural heritages across the world. They learn the skills they need to live healthy, independent lives.

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Sixth-form students achieve very well in their studies. Students choose subjects to study which will help them achieve their career aspirations. They take part in relevant work experience. They have opportunities to volunteer for the school and in the local and wider community. Some complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme to gold standard. Students mentor and volunteer to tutor younger pupils. Teachers teach students the skills they need for their future challenges. For example, students get help with university applications and interview techniques. They learn to cook and about the importance of good financial management.

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The proprietors are extremely ambitious for pupils and staff. They ensure that pupils have exceptional pastoral care and education. They provide staff with high-quality support. Teachers are experts in their subject. Staff say they are very well supported and cared for by leaders. They show dedication to the positive impact the school makes on pupils’ lives. Many past pupils proudly return to the school having achieved successful careers. They share their advice and experiences with current pupils.

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The school meets all the independent school standards. The school is compliant with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. Statutory information about the school is available on the school’s website. However, leaders are currently updating the website. They want to ensure that parents and carers have instant up-to-date information about the school. The school’s safeguarding policy provides the latest national guidance.

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Pupils engage well with the local and wider community. They contribute to local charities. These include a food bank and a teenage homeless charity. They also raise funds to support charities within Great Britain and in other countries. Pupils take part in many events and competitions. Some students told us how proud they are to represent the school in the ‘under 20s ultimate frisbee’ competition.

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There are exceptional resources within the unique and safe environment. Leaders maintain the school buildings to a high standard. They carry out the necessary health and safety checks. They complete thorough risk assessments. Pupils enjoy communal areas. Here, they can relax, socialise and work with others, including 14–16 January 2020

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staff. Pupils use these times well to manage their academic studies and develop their social skills. Leaders place high priority on pupils’ physical and mental health. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school. A comment reflecting the views of many was: ‘From an inclusive school comes happy, educated children and this is Twycross House School.’

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is a culture of vigilance throughout the school. Staff receive up-to-date training on how to keep pupils safe. They understand the procedure to pass on any safeguarding concerns and know this should be to the designated safeguarding leaders or to the local authority.

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Safeguarding

Leaders for safeguarding work effectively with external agencies and parents to resolve concerns. They keep secure and comprehensive records of concerns. Teachers make sure that pupils understand the potential risks they may face. These include online grooming, drugs and alcohol misuse.

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Safeguarding

Leaders undertake suitable checks on the employment of staff.

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use Ofsted Parent View information when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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How can I feed back my views?

If you are the provider and you are not happy with the inspection or the report, you can complain to Ofsted . 14–16 January 2020

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School details

Unique reference number 120331 DfE registration number 855/6006

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School details

Inspection number 10124542 Type of school Other independent school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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form

Annual fees (day pupils) £9,960 to £11,310

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Email address enquiries@twycrosshouseschool.org.uk

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Date of previous inspection 6–8 June 2017

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Information about this school

 The school’s last standard inspection took place on 6–8 June 2017.  The school does not use any alternative providers.  New buildings have been added to the school since the last inspection. There is now a theatre and a new dining hall on site. 14–16 January 2020

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Information about this inspection

We carried out this inspection under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The purpose of the inspection 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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Information about this inspection

The school meets the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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Information about this inspection

 We met with the joint proprietors, one of whom is also the headteacher. We also met with the designated safeguarding lead, the coordinator of the provision for pupils with SEND and other senior leaders.  We looked closely at English, mathematics, modern foreign languages, science and PSHE. We met with the leaders of each subject, visited lessons, spoke with pupils and looked at examples of their work. We also met with the teachers whose lessons we visited.  We met with staff to discuss what it is like to work at the school and to discuss their understanding of the school’s safeguarding procedures.  The lead inspector met with the designated safeguarding lead to discuss the school’s procedures to safeguard pupils. She also scrutinised the school’s single central register.  The lead inspector and the headteacher toured the school site to check the school’s compliance with Part 5 of the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Stephanie Innes-Taylor, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Mandy Wilding Ofsted Inspector 14–16 January 2020

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to 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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