The Llewellyn School and Nursery

School material change inspection report

p.1

The Llewellyn School and Nursery Annexe No 11 Cliffe Avenue, Westbrook, Margate, Kent CT9 5DU

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has a clear understanding of her safeguarding duties. She has updated the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy so that it includes the changes outlined in the statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2019). The school’s policy is published on the school website.  The proprietor ensures that all staff have a thorough induction so that they are suitably knowledgeable about the pupils. This induction includes a wide range of training that helps staff to keep pupils safe. The proprietor has also engaged the services of external specialists to provide safeguarding training for all staff.  Staff are knowledgeable about possible risks to pupils. They know pupils well and are alert to any change that might be a cause for worry. They make good use of the systems for reporting any concerns that might arise.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 11  The school’s health and safety policy is well considered. It is published on the school website. It is fit for purpose and supports leaders to meet relevant health and safety requirements and to promote pupils’ well-being. Paragraph 12  The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The building has been designed with a view to promoting health, safety and welfare, including in the case of a fire. Equipment is tested and maintained by an external registered company. Records of checks and fire drills are kept carefully. All adults at the school have received recent fire-safety training and can recall it well. Paragraphs 16(a), 16(b)  Alongside the risk assessment policy which is published on the school website, the school has comprehensive risk assessments in place for all pupils. These are ‘live documents’ which are routinely reviewed and personalised to consider each pupil’s

p.1

Main inspection findings

specific needs. The risk assessments support staff to assess, reduce and manage risks in relation to all activities that pupils undertake.  The relevant aspects of this part of the independent school standards are likely to be met if the material change is granted. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c), 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), 29(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The school has recently relocated to a new purpose-built building. It has been designed with the needs of the pupils in mind and meets their needs well. Classrooms are bright and welcoming. There is appropriate space for the small numbers of pupils at the school. Lighting and acoustic insulation is suitable. The school currently has no pupils under five years of age and has no plans to accept this age group. However,

p.2

Main inspection findings

there is appropriate space to use should they decide to fill this aspect of their registration.  The proprietor has a very sound understanding of the needs of the pupils and her vision is well-realised in the building and the school grounds. Outside spaces are generous and lit well. They provide for games and outdoor learning while promoting pupils’ welfare. Pupils enjoy these spaces. Pupils attend hydrotherapy, swimming and horse-riding lessons externally.  Suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided and meet the specific needs of pupils, including their medical and therapy needs. A hoist is available if needed. There is suitably hot and cold running water. Drinking water is readily available and marked as such.  The school has a well-equipped separate medical room for the short-term care of pupils. A locked medical cabinet is used to store pupils’ medication.  This part of the independent school standards is likely to be met if the material

p.2

Main inspection findings

change is granted. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor (who is also the school leader) and governors have not ensured that the independent school standards (ISS) are met consistently. The proprietor understands the standards, but she has been distracted by the work required to ensure that the new building is completed to a high standard and ready to receive pupils. Some school policies that met standards at the school’s standard inspection in 2018 and material change inspection in 2019 have not been updated with proper regard to requirements.  Prior to this inspection, governors recognised the unreasonable load the proprietor is managing. They have recently appointed a senior leader to build capacity and support the proprietor with leadership responsibilities, including ensuring that the ISS are met consistently.  Governors do not have a strong enough understanding of the ISS. They have not

p.2

Main inspection findings

fulfilled their responsibilities so that all standards are met. They have not held the proprietor/school leader to account to ensure that these are met. Paragraph 34(2)  The proprietor and governors are determined to provide the best possible education for their pupils. The proprietor knows every child well. She ensures that staff plan carefully to meet every pupil’s needs. She actively promotes the well-being of pupils and ensures that all decisions are in pupils’ best interests.  This part of the independent school standards is not likely to be met if the material change was granted.

p.3

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is does not 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, as set out in the annex of this report.

p.4

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 compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

p.5

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

School status Independent boarding school

p.5

School details

Headteacher Sara Llewellyn (School Leader)

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £40,000 to £79,000

p.5

School details

Email address info.llewellynschool@gmail.com

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 3–5 July 2018

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 2 to 16 Not applicable Not applicable

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 12 Not applicable Not applicable

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 12 Not applicable

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 Not applicable

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 Not applicable

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 12 Not applicable

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 11 Not applicable

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 11 Not applicable

p.6

Information about this school

 The Llewellyn School and Nursery caters for pupils who have severe learning difficulties, and who also have multisensory, communication and physical-development needs. All current pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school is registered for 14 pupils aged from two to 16. However, the school does not currently have any pupils aged under five years and has no plans to admit any of this age.  The school moved to its current site in September 2019. The school is now in a purpose-built building with plenty of outdoor space for pupils. The address is different to that recorded on Get Information About Schools and at the top of this report. It is: Quex Park, Birchington, Kent CT7 0BB.  For part of its curriculum, the school uses local off-site facilities. These include the library, a hydrotherapy pool and a riding centre.  The proprietor is also the school leader. The school has a small governing body which

p.6

Information about this school

works with the proprietor to provide arrangements for governance.  The school’s first full inspection took place in July 2018. At this inspection the school was judged to be good in all areas and all of the independent school standards were found to be met. The school had a material change inspection in February 2019 to extend the upper age range of pupils from 12 to 16. This material change was granted.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This inspection took place under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002. It was commissioned by the Department of Education as a result of a material change request. This request was for the relocation of the school to the new premises.  The material change has already taken place. Pupils moved to the new building in September 2019.  This is the second material change application since the school was registered in January 2017. The material change application was made so the school can move to purpose-built accommodation. As with the current registration, the school provides for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils have severe learning difficulties and multisensory, communication and physical-development needs.  I met with the proprietor/school leader and the chair of the governing body. I also met with a range of staff. The proprietor and I toured the school site together, visiting

p.8

Information about this inspection

all parts of the school and the outside areas. I scrutinised a range of documents, including the school’s safeguarding, health and safety and risk assessment policies. I also checked the school’s safeguarding, fire safety and maintenance records and the single central record of recruitment checks.

p.8

Inspection team

Lucy English, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.8

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 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.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.10

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.10

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.

p.10

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.10

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

p.10

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

p.10