The Stable School

School material change inspection report

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The Stable School 2–4, 12 Dudmoor Farm Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 6AQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders have suitable arrangements in place to safeguard pupils. The safeguarding policy meets current requirements and is published on the school’s website.  Staff receive suitable training that supports them to take appropriate action to help keep pupils safe. Leaders have provided valuable additional training for staff on the risks that are pertinent to pupils at this school. As a result, staff know the signs that they need to look out for, to help them identify better when pupils need help. Leaders work closely with other agencies to report concerns about pupils and to ensure families get the right support where necessary. Paragraph 11  The proprietor has implemented the health and safety policy effectively. Staff carry out appropriate checks on the premises and equipment. Leaders have considered the risks at the new premises and taken steps to comply with requirements, such as

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Main inspection findings

installing hazard signage. Paragraph 12  The proprietor complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire risk assessment has been undertaken recently at both the current and new school buildings. Leaders have ensured that the few resulting actions were carried out promptly. All staff and pupils participate in regular fire drills to ensure that everyone knows the evacuation procedures. Paragraph 14  The school has sufficient staff in place already to ensure that pupils are well supervised at all times. Additional staff are on hand to provide further support when needed. The new premises, classes and staffing arrangements will further reduce the ratio of pupils to staff. Procedures for effective supervision are well established across the school. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Leaders’ expectations for risk assessments are set out clearly in the policy. It also details the arrangements in place to check the quality of them. Staff follow the policy

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Main inspection findings

and complete risk assessments for the site, equipment and activities. Consequently, risk assessments are used appropriately to identify risks as well as suitable measures to reduce them.  Leaders understand pupils’ needs well and use this to enhance risk assessments. For example, when planning school trips, staff consider how to best support pupils, taking into account a wide range of information, to minimise risks.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(1)–18(4)(c)  Leaders have established effective systems to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. All of the required checks take place before a new employee starts work at the school. Paragraph 19(1)–19(4)(c)  The Stable School does not use supply teachers. Leaders make use of extra staff to cover any absence. However, leaders can explain what checks they would need to

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Main inspection findings

make if they were to employ supply teachers. Paragraph 20(1)–20(9)  Records show that all necessary checks on the members of the proprietary body have been completed. Paragraph 21(1)-21(8)  The single central record contains all of the required information on the checks for staff suitability. The record is checked and updated regularly.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22, 23(1)–23(2), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(d), 28(2)  At both sites, suitable washing and toilet facilities are available for the sole use of pupils. There is an adequate supply of water and the temperature of hot water does not pose a risk to pupils.  Drinking water is clearly marked as such and is available in a range of suitable locations at both sites. Paragraph 24, 25, 26, 27, 29(1)–31(c)  At the original site, the accommodation is maintained to a high standard. The new

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Main inspection findings

building, previously a nursery school, has been refurbished to a good standard. There is sufficient space at both premises to accommodate 65 pupils.  At both sites, the outdoor space is large enough to allow pupils to play outside.  There is a medical room with a sink, close to a toilet, at both sites.  In all rooms across both sites, the lighting and acoustics are suitable. There is sufficient outdoor lighting to all buildings.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor has established a good school that sets high expectations for pupils. They are seeking to develop the school further and increase the number of pupils on roll by 30. There is a demand for places.  Leaders recognise that this expansion requires them to make some important

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Main inspection findings

changes. Therefore, they have widened the leadership team, and set clear expectations for these new leaders. This new structure will enable them to maintain effective oversight of the quality of work at both sites, including ensuring that pupils’ well-being is promoted effectively. Leaders also intend to broaden the curriculum and enhance the provision for the oldest pupils, making use of the new facilities.  At the standard inspection in March 2020, and in this material change inspection, the independent school standards (ISS) have been met consistently. Leaders make use of external support to check their continued compliance with the ISS. Currently, the proprietor is setting up a board of trustees to further strengthen accountability and oversight.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor The Happy Learning Centre Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £25,000 - £30,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10–12 March 2020

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 16 6 to 16 6 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 34 65 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 35 65 Number of part-time pupils 2 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 35 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 35 65

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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 35 65

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 14 15

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Information about this school

 The proprietor established The Stable School to support pupils with social, emotional or mental health needs. Local authorities fund pupils’ placements at the school. Most pupils have been permanently excluded from mainstream settings.  All pupils attending the school have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.  The school’s headteacher is a member of the proprietary body. He has started to establish a board of trustees, but due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, they have not yet held their first board meeting.  The school’s first standard inspection took place in March 2020. All of the independent school standards were met and the school was judged to be good.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 to consider the school’s request for a material change. All of the inspection was conducted on site.  The proprietor would like to increase the school’s capacity from 35 to 65 pupils. The proprietor has additional premises about half a mile from the main school to accommodate the additional pupils. These have been refurbished.  The inspector met with the two members of the proprietary body; this included the headteacher. The inspector also met with the deputy designated safeguarding leader.  A range of documents relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils and leadership and management were considered.  The inspector had a tour of the premises at both sites to check that they were compliant with the ISS.

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Inspection team

Caroline Dulon, 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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