Denby Grange School

School material change inspection report

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Off Stocksmoor Rd, Midgley, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF4 4JG Inspection date 6 August 2020

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that there is a safeguarding policy in place. This policy is in line with current statutory guidance and is available on the school’s website.  The policy is comprehensive and easy to read. It is clear what is expected of all staff, in terms of keeping children safe.  The proprietor provides all staff with child protection training. The headteacher and deputy headteacher have received enhanced training as the designated leads for safeguarding in the school.  The headteacher is aware of the additional vulnerabilities of the pupils who are referred to the school. The policy explains how pupils will be taught to keep themselves safe.  The headteacher is an experienced designated lead for safeguarding. She was able to explain what systems she has in place to monitor pupils’ safety and how to get help for pupils who need it.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has a management information system that keeps pupil information secure. School leaders use this system to track the progress of any referral that is made to an external agency. Paragraphs 11, 12  The proprietor has written a comprehensive health and safety policy. This policy explains what all staff must do to ensure effective health and safety in the school.  The proprietor provides training to ensure that staff know how to keep themselves and their pupils safe. This includes emergency first-aid and fire-warden training. The headteacher has completed a recognised course in health and safety management.  The proprietor has a specialist health and safety lead who monitors health and safety in the school and provides support and direction to the headteacher when needed.  The proprietor has formed a governing body that meets termly. Health and safety in the school is a standing item at this meeting.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor brought in a specialist agency to carry out the school’s fire-risk assessment. The fire-risk assessment reflects the additional needs of the pupils in the school and what steps have been taken to reduce these risks. The latest fire-risk assessment was completed recently and judged the risks in the school as low.  The proprietor has ensured that fire-safety equipment is checked regularly by a certified company. All evacuation routes are clearly signed and have emergency lighting.  The headteacher keeps detailed logs that show the routine testing of alarm systems and emergency evacuations. The headteacher is aware of the need for, and has in place, personal emergency evacuation plans for some pupils. Paragraph 14  School leaders have given careful thought to the proposed increase in pupil numbers. There is an established staff team and plans in place to add to this staff team if more

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Main inspection findings

pupils join the school, so that pupils remain well supervised.  The headteacher has systems in place for managing pupil behaviour in the school. Staff have received training in de-escalation strategies and restorative practices. The headteacher has recently developed a nurture base to further support pupils’ emotional needs and reduce incidents of challenging behaviour. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor has ensured that there is a comprehensive risk-assessment policy in place. The policy includes clear guidance for staff on how to assess and reduce risks in the school.  The individual risk assessments seen during the inspection showed that staff were following the proprietor’s policy. These risk assessments included those related to the use of hazardous substances and trips to the local sports centre.  During the site visit, the proprietor was able to show how the measures designed to control the spread of infection were being implemented around the building.

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Main inspection findings

 The headteacher prepares individual risk assessments for each pupil when they join the school. She was able to explain how she keeps these under review with the support of parents and carers and specialist agencies.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve the implementation of the material change requested.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3)  The proprietor has a safer recruitment policy. All school leaders, including the headteacher and members of the governing body, have received training in safer recruitment.  The headteacher knows how to carry out the pre-employment checks required by government guidance. The headteacher is supported by the proprietor’s human resources department, which oversees all pre-employment checks to ensure that they are complete before anyone joins the school staff. 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), 19(3)  The headteacher does not expect to use supply staff. However, the headteacher does

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Main inspection findings

have a system in place to carry out checks on the suitability of supply staff to work in the school if this were to become necessary. 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), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 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)  The proprietor ensures that checks on the suitability of staff are completed in line with current government guidance. These checks apply to all adults who work in the school and all members of the governing body.  The headteacher maintains a single central register of this information, which is checked and monitored by the proprietor.  The proprietor has ensured that Part 4 of the independent school standards is likely to

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Main inspection findings

continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change requested.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c)  The proprietor has recently refurbished the school building.  The proprietor has ensured that there are enough suitable toilets for the proposed increase in pupil numbers from 40 to 50. The toilets for boys and girls are separate. Each toilet has a full-length, lockable door for added privacy.  There is one shower room, which is close to the toilet area. The headteacher explained that they use a local sports centre for physical education lessons and there are additional showers there. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  The proprietor has ensured that there is a medical room for pupils if they become unwell or injured while at school. The medical room is spacious, and has a bed and a portable washbasin. The medical room is located close to the pupil toilets.  The medical room has a well-stocked first-aid box with a log sheet to records the

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Main inspection findings

checks on first-aid supplies.  There is a lockable storage cupboard for any medication prescribed to pupils. Paragraph 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The proprietor has invested in routine safety checks of the school’s utilities, alarm systems, fire-safety and electrical equipment. These checks are done by qualified technicians. The certificates checked during the site visit showed that these checks were all up to date.  The school building and outside areas are well maintained. The school is in a single- storey building with large windows. It is light and airy with appropriate acoustics.  The school has a range of good-sized classrooms and social spaces that can accommodate the proposed number of pupils. The pupil occupancy rate for rooms across the site is planned to be no more than five. The school is well decorated and has suitable furniture and equipment.  The site is fenced and secure, with adequate external lighting.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  There are several places for pupils to access drinking water in classrooms and the kitchen area. All taps are clearly labelled to show where water is suitable for drinking.  There are washbasins in the toilet area. The water for hand-washing did not run too hot when checked during the inspection. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The proprietor has invested in the outdoor play area. This area is well designed and has a range of equipment, including an outdoor table-tennis table and a daily mile pathway.  The outdoor play area is large enough for organised games and physical education lessons. However, the headteacher explained that staff deliver physical education lessons at the local sports centre. There is a risk assessment in place for this activity.  The proprietor has ensured that Part 5 of the independent school standards is likely to

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Main inspection findings

continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change requested.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that the safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. This policy is easy to find and is compliant with government guidance.  The proprietor has ensured that this standard is likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change requested.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The headteacher is an experienced school leader who understands the additional needs of the pupils in her school well.  The proprietor group has an executive leadership team that includes managers with knowledge of finance, health and safety, and school improvement. This leadership team brings additional capacity to the school.  The proprietor has given careful thought to the proposed expansion of the school. The proprietor has refurbished the school and has plans to increase the size of the staff team.  The proprietor has a governing body in place that meets termly. The governors have produced policies and implemented systems that indicate they understand the importance of the independent school standards and are able to monitor the school’s activities effectively.  The proprietor has ensured that Part 8 of the independent school standards is likely to

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Main inspection findings

continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change requested.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address jennieallport@keys-group.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 15–17 January 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 11 to 18 11 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 38 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 38 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 38 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 38 50

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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 38 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 13 14

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 12 16

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Information about this school

 Denby Grange is situated in a semi-rural setting, between Wakefield and Huddersfield, and is a small day school for pupils aged from 11 to 18 years who have severe social, emotional and mental health needs.  The school opened in 2000 and its last standard inspection was in January 2019, when it was judged to be good.  In 2019, the school applied to the DfE for a material change to increase the number of pupils that could be on roll from 36 to 40. At the time of this inspection, there were 38 pupils on roll (23 boys and 15 girls).  The school currently employs 13 teachers and 12 teaching assistants and plans to increase this to 14 teachers and 16 teaching assistants if the DfE agrees to the material change requested.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  Pupils are placed at the school by their local authority. Some pupils may have been excluded from previous schools or had long periods without any education.

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Information about this school

 The school is part of the Keys Group, which was previously known as the Keys Childcare Company.  The school’s aim is for pupils to be well prepared to live successfully in the community when they leave school.  The school does not use any alternative education provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department of Education (DfE) during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic of 2020. Some of the inspection was conducted remotely. This was due to the restrictions placed on non-essential travel during the COVID-19 outbreak.  This inspection was commissioned by the DfE because the proprietor had applied to increase the number of pupils that can be taken on the school’s roll from 40 to 50. This was the school’s second request for a material change.  The inspection was carried out with two days’ notice.  The inspector visited the site to check the school premises against the independent school standards.  The inspector held online meetings with the proprietor and headteacher.  The inspector spoke to the chair of governors on the telephone.  The inspector reviewed a range of policies and documents associated with the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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