Sandwell Valley School

School material change inspection report

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Sandwell Valley School 150 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, Sandwell, West Midlands B70 6QT

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  There is a detailed safeguarding policy which reflects current statutory guidance. The policy is published on the school’s website and is also available in paper format for those parents and carers who do not have access to the internet.  There are four designated safeguarding leads. They are appropriately trained and are knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. At least one designated lead is available on site at all times.  Leaders complete all the necessary checks on staff’s suitability to work with children. Leaders record the checks accurately on the school’s single central record. As a result, the record meets requirements.  All staff have completed training in safeguarding. They are aware of the risks and signs of child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation. Staff have an

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Main inspection findings

awareness of radicalisation and are aware of their responsibilities within the ‘Prevent’ duty.  Leaders are part of local safeguarding boards and have strong connections with local police. They have a good understanding of risks in their local community.  The staff-to-pupil ratio contributes to a high level of supervision and vigilance, both within lessons and during unstructured times of the school day.  Staff consistently and effectively implement the school’s behaviour policy. Pupils behave well and display positive attitudes towards their learning. Staff deal with incidents of negative behaviour effectively and record incidents appropriately.  The school’s admissions register contains all necessary information and meets regulations. Staff record pupils’ attendance in line with legislation.  There is a clear anti-bullying policy. Staff record any incidents electronically and leaders analyse these incidents. Records suggest that incidents of bullying are low.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have implemented a health and safety policy that considers all aspects of the school’s work.  There is a detailed first aid policy. The number of appropriately trained staff who can administer first aid is sufficient for the size of the school.  An external company has completed a comprehensive fire risk assessment. Evacuation routes are clearly marked. Firefighting equipment is regularly serviced, and the school has ensured that routine tests on portable appliances are completed. Leaders record and document the regular tests of alarm systems and routine evacuation practices appropriately.  There is a comprehensive risk assessment policy in place. Staff complete risk assessments for individual pupils, tasks, the school environment, activities, trips and visits. Staff identify risks appropriately and take necessary action to minimise risks where necessary.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 23(2), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  Since the last full inspection, the school has undergone some refurbishment work. This has resulted in enlarged classrooms and the addition of three extra classrooms. A new ‘therapeutic suite’ has been added to provide additional support for pupils. The additional space is suitable for the number of pupils the school would like to admit.  Classrooms are well maintained. They are well lit and suitably ventilated. Acoustics and noise control in the classrooms are appropriate. Classrooms are spacious enough to accommodate the planned number of pupils. The classrooms are suitable for the activities that take place within them.  Bottled drinking water is provided for pupils, as well as a dispenser of water that is

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Main inspection findings

accessible at all times.  There are sufficient toilets for boys and girls that can be secured from the inside. A disabled toilet is also available on the ground floor. Toilets are intended to be used by one person at a time. Toilet facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water. Regular temperature checks ensure that the hot water does not present a scalding risk.  The accommodation for the short-term care of pupils meets requirements. The room has a sink and is near a toilet. Additional first aid equipment is available on the second floor of the building.  There is adequate outdoor space for pupils to play. The area used during breaktimes and lunchtime is secure and well supervised.  Leaders have staggered pupils’ lunch breaks to ensure that all pupils can access outdoor space safely. Pupils also access off-site gym facilities at a local leisure centre where they are provided with suitable changing and showering facilities.

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Main inspection findings

 External areas are well lit to ensure safe entry and exit of the school during hours of darkness.  These standards are likely to be met if the proposed material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f), 32(1)(g), 32(1)(h), 32(1)(i), 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(i), 32(2)(b)(ii), 32(2)(c), 32(2)(d), 32(3), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(c), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(f), 32(3)(g), 32(4), 32(4)(a), 32(4)(b), 32(4)(c) and 32(5)  The school has a comprehensive website that includes a statement of the school’s ethos. Parents can access key policies, including; information on the curriculum, admissions, safeguarding, pupil behaviour, exclusions and how to make a complaint. All policies are available in paper format for those parents who are unable to access the internet.  There is a detailed policy on provision for pupils with education, health and care (EHC) plans.  The school provides a detailed annual report for parents, on pupils’ progress. In addition, the school also sends a half-termly progress report to parents.

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Main inspection findings

 These standards are likely to be met if the proposed material changes are implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c) and 34(2)  Leaders demonstrate appropriate skills and knowledge to ensure that the independent school standards are met.  Leaders know the context of the school well. Since the last inspection, the number of pupils has increased. The school has responded well to this by recruiting additional staff and increasing the hours worked by some part-time staff to full time. There are detailed plans in place to recruit additional teaching staff. Leaders have enhanced the curriculum provision.  Leaders have trained additional first aiders and an additional designated safeguarding lead.  Leaders have extended the therapeutic support available to pupils. Additional therapy rooms have been built to facilitate sessions for an increased number of pupils.  Additional building work and renovation have been completed. The facilities have

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Main inspection findings

been extended to accommodate the proposed number of pupils that the school plans to admit.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely 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.

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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

Proprietor The Sandwell Community Caring Trust

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10–12 October 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 19 11 to 19 11 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 138 175 175

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 120 155

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 55 70

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 3 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 17 21

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Information about this school

 Sandwell Valley School provides education for pupils who are unable to access mainstream provision due to social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Pupils are referred to the school by several local authorities, including Sandwell, Birmingham and Worcestershire.  The school offers places to international pupils, some of whom arrive in the United Kingdom having experienced significant trauma. The majority of pupils have experienced disruption to formal learning. Pupils currently attend the school from thirty-two countries. There are currently more than sixty languages spoken within the school.  There are currently 138 pupils registered at the school, 16 of whom are post-16 learners.  The school caters for a wide range of educational needs, especially in the areas of social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The school also provides for pupils who speak English as an additional language. It engages with a variety of community

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Information about this school

partners to provide a wider range of support to pupils and their families.  The school has 40 members of staff, who cover teaching, learning support, pastoral roles and mentoring. Some of the staff work part time to provide flexibility for the intake, which is often fluid.  Pupils can start at Sandwell Valley School at any point during the school year.  Sandwell Valley School continues to be a part of the Sandwell Community Care Trust. The school’s last full inspection took place in October 2017 when it was judged to be good in all areas.  The school does not make use of any alternative education provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out with notice of one day.  The inspector met with the headteacher and the quality assurance manager, who are also designated safeguarding leads.  The inspector toured the premises, including renovated areas and newly added classroom spaces.  During the inspection, several documents and policies were examined. These included safeguarding policies, health and safety policies, fire safety documentation and behaviour policies. The inspector also examined the school’s website.  Records on pupils’ behaviour and attendance and the admissions register were also evaluated.

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Inspection team

Melanie Callaghan-Lewis, 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

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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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