Cressex Lodge School

School material change inspection report

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Cressex Lodge (SWAAY) Cressex Lodge, Terrace Road South, Binfield, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 4DE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that the arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils are strong. Arrangements to recruit new staff are rigorous and include the appropriate pre-employment checks. The school’s safeguarding policy, which is published on the school’s website, is compliant with current guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Paragraph 11 and 12  Leaders have ensured that the school has effective policies to ensure the health and safety of pupils, staff and visitors to the school. This includes a written health and safety policy. Fire safety is given a high priority. A fire risk assessment for the school building is in place. Key maintenance of fire equipment, including alarms and emergency lighting is carried out by a suitably qualified contractor. Paragraph 14  High staff-to-pupil ratios ensure that current pupils are properly supervised at all

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Main inspection findings

times. Staff have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. Routines and systems will take into account the increase in the number of pupils to ensure that pupils are properly supervised at all times if the increase in number of pupils is approved. Paragraph 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The proprietor and school leaders have ensured that the school has a risk assessment policy, which is implemented effectively. A wide range of risk assessments are in place to help staff to identify and reduce risk. These include individual risk assessments for pupils, and those that cover use of the school’s buildings or for educational visits and trips.  School leaders have ensured that all relevant standards that were checked in Part 3 are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18, 19, 20 and 21  Leaders have attended appropriate training and have a clear understanding of their

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Main inspection findings

responsibilities to carry out checks on all adults coming into contact with pupils at the school. The suitability of all persons appointed as existing members of staff at the school has been thoroughly checked in accordance with current guidelines. Leaders confirm that this will continue to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraph 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii) and 19(3)  School leaders are aware that they are required to check the suitability of all persons offered for supply to the school by an employment business thoroughly and in accordance with current guidelines. Paragraph 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii) and 20(6)(c)  At the time of this inspection, appropriate checks had been carried out on members of

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Main inspection findings

the proprietor body. Leaders confirm that this will continue to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraph 21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b) and 21(8)  As part of this material change inspection, the inspector reviewed the school’s single central register of checks on all adults working at the school. This included those who are members of the proprietor body or who are working at the school under contract from a supply agency. The single central record was found to comply with current guidelines.  School leaders have ensured that all relevant standards in Part 4 are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 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), 28(2)(a),

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Main inspection findings

28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The current school building fully complies with all aspects of the standards required to meet Part 5. The accommodation contains a range of well-equipped teaching spaces, suitable toilet facilities, offices and other communal areas. Although pupils were not present during the inspection visit, it was clear to see that increasing the number of pupils from 20 to 24 is acceptable considering the size and range of accommodation currently available.  The building is well maintained and furnished. Lighting, acoustics and other aspects, such as provision of suitable drinking water, ensure that the welfare, health and safety of pupils are protected. Suitable accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils is also available.  The school has an attractive rear garden, which also contains a number of ‘pod’ buildings that provide additional teaching space. Suitable space is available for pupils

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Main inspection findings

to meet and play outside. Appropriate arrangements have been made for pupils’ physical education, which mostly takes place off site in a local leisure centre.  School leaders have ensured that all relevant standards in Part 5 are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c) and 34(2)  The proprietor has ensured that those in positions of leadership and management understand their responsibilities to ensure that the independent school standards checked in this inspection are likely to be met if the material change is approved.  Because all of the paragraphs checked in relation to the material change application are likely to be met if the material change is approved, this part is also likely to be met.

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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

Proprietor SWAAY Child and Adolescent Services Ltd

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4–6 July 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 17 not applicable not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 20 24 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 20 24 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Up to 20 Up to 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Up to 20 Up to 24

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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 Up to 20 Up to 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 14 14

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Information about this school

 Cressex Lodge (SWAAY) is an independent school for boys located in a village near Bracknell. It operates collaboratively as part of a therapeutic community provided by SWAAY Child and Adolescent Services Ltd.  The school is registered for up to 20 boys, aged between 11 and 17 years, who have specific behavioural, emotional, and social difficulties. Pupils join the school with a history of interrupted schooling and remain at the school for approximately two years.  There are currently 20 boys on roll, some of whom have moderate, specific or complex learning difficulties. The vast majority of pupils have been placed by their local authority. Approximately 11 local authorities use the school to place pupils.  Approximately half of the school’s pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school was last inspected in July 2017 when it met all the independent school standards and its overall effectiveness was judged to be good.

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Information about this school

 The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic of 2020.  The inspection took place under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002. It was commissioned by the Department of Education as a result of an application for a material change to the number of pupils at the school from up to 20 to up to 24.  This was the second material change application since the school was first registered.  Prior to the inspection, the inspector reviewed a range of documents submitted by the proprietor to support the material change application. The school’s website was also checked, including published policies and other information.  The on-site visit included a tour of the school site, visiting classrooms and communal and outside areas. A range of documents and records were scrutinised, including the single central record of checks on adults working at the school. The inspector also

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Information about this inspection

talked to members of staff during the tour of the school site.  An extended meeting was held with the headteacher and a director who represented the proprietor. The purpose of this meeting was to ensure that the proposed changes will meet the needs of all pupils currently at the school, as well as any additional pupils if the material change is approved.

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Inspection team

Clive Close, 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

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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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