The Rowan School

School material change inspection report

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The Rowan School Roseville House, Tunnel Street, Bilston WV14 9JW

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 14, 32(1) and 32(1)(c) [Part 6. Provision of information]  The school’s safeguarding policy is detailed, up to date and pays due regard to current government guidelines. It reflects the school’s context and the particular dangers that its pupils might face, for example when using the internet. The policy is sent to all parents whenever it is updated, most recently to include additional information about COVID-19 (coronavirus).  Leaders ensure that pupils’ welfare is a top priority for all staff. Staff are comprehensively trained in many aspects of keeping pupils safe. Training focuses well on those dangers that pupils are most likely to face. For example, recent training has included online safety, risks posed by people with extreme views and supporting pupils with medical conditions.  Pupils are supervised appropriately throughout the school day. Classes typically

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Main inspection findings

comprise of five pupils with three adults. Good levels of supervision continue at breaktime and lunchtime. If the proposed material change is implemented, class sizes will rise to six pupils. Levels of supervision are likely to remain appropriate.  Leaders ensure that staff report any concerns they have about pupils immediately. They follow up concerns speedily, involving outside agencies when appropriate. Records relating to child protection are detailed, well organised and stored securely.  The school is likely to meet these standards if the material change is implemented. Paragraphs 11, 13, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school has a concise health and safety policy that clearly spells out relevant roles and responsibilities. The school site provides a safe learning environment. A clear risk assessment policy defines the school’s risk assessment process. It also links well to other areas of school life, including first aid, child protection, supervision and off-site

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Main inspection findings

visits.  Risk assessments reviewed as part of this inspection demonstrated that leaders understand the process of identifying risks and putting in place control measures to reduce risk. For example, leaders have produced a detailed COVID-19 risk assessment that clearly sets out potential risks and appropriate control measures that have been put into place.  The school’s first-aid policy is clear and detailed. It includes procedures for the use of the medical room and for administering medicines. The school has several trained first aiders and their names are displayed around the school. Several staff are trained in the administration of medicines for pupils who need them. Paragraph 12  The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) order 2005.  A comprehensive fire risk assessment was completed in August 2019. It identified only very minor issues, and these were successfully addressed immediately. The school’s

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Main inspection findings

fire alarm system and fire extinguishers have been serviced recently. Leaders carry out regular checks of the alarm, emergency lighting and fire doors. Emergency evacuation plans are displayed around the school, as is clear signage. Regular evacuation drills take place and their details are recorded. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(2), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a) and 28(2)(b)  The school has ample toilet and washing facilities for girls and boys. Toilets and washbasins are clean and well maintained. Suitable hot and cold water are provided, as is soap and paper towels for hand drying. There is a separate, appropriately equipped, disabled toilet.  Drinking water is available to pupils throughout the day. It is provided from either of the school’s two kitchens, where it is suitably labelled. In response to COVID-19,

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Main inspection findings

pupils bring in their own water bottles that are filled in school. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The school moved to its current site in October 2019. The buildings had been refurbished to a high standard prior to that move. They remain in excellent condition, attractive and well maintained.  Classrooms provide plenty of space to accommodate five or six pupils and three adults. They are light and airy. All have natural daylight. Acoustics are fit for purpose.  Corridors are wide and free from clutter. A good-sized hall provides a useful multipurpose space for assemblies and teaching. The school’s playground provides suitable outdoor space for physical education and outdoor play at breaktime and lunchtime. Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  The school’s medical room is suitably equipped, for example with a washbasin, and is close to toilets. It is not used for any other purpose.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to meet these standards if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The proprietors and leaders are knowledgeable and committed to providing a good education for the school’s pupils. Leaders demonstrate strong attention to detail in ensuring the school consistently meets the independent school standards. The proprietors provide considerable expertise and support for school leaders and staff. For example, one proprietor provides supervision for the headteacher in her role as the school’s designated safeguarding lead.  Leaders make promoting pupils’ well-being and safety their top priority. They do this by providing clear leadership and ensuring that all staff are comprehensively trained to provide the right support for pupils when they need it.  The school is likely to meet these standards if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders ensure that the school meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. There is an accessibility plan in place which provides details of how the school intends to improve educational provision, the physical environment and provision of information.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Proprietors Mike Searle and Ben Whittall

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School details

Email address admin@therowanschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10–12 December 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 11 5 to 11 5 to 11

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 30 36 36

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 30 36

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 30 36

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 30 36

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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 30 36

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 9 9

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Information about this school

 The Rowan School is an independent day school for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The school currently offers places for up to 30 pupils. All the pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school was last inspected in December 2019 when it was judged to be good and met all independent school standards. Since that time, there have been no major changes at the school.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) in response to an application by the school to increase the number of pupils on roll from 30 to 36. The inspection focused on whether the premises would be likely to meet the relevant welfare, health and safety and premises standards in Parts 3 and 5 of the independent school standards if the material change was implemented.  This inspection was commissioned by the DfE during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.  This was the school’s third material change inspection. The previous inspections focused on a previous request to increase the number of pupils on roll and the school’s move to its current premises.  I examined a range of documents, including the school’s safeguarding policy, documents relating to fire safety, health and safety and risk assessments.  I had a tour of the school building, accompanied by the headteacher.  I held conversations with the headteacher and the school’s two proprietors.

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Inspection team

Alun Williams, lead inspector Her Majesty’s 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

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.

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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 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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