Magdalen Court School

School material change inspection report

p.1

Magdalen Court School Victoria Park Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4NU

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs: 2(1)(b), 2(2), 3(a-d)  The school offers a wide-ranging curriculum. This curriculum is well structured and supports pupils to increase their knowledge over time. The school offers a range of appropriate qualifications for pupils to work towards.  The school’s personal, social and health education programme, coupled with assemblies, equips pupils to respect other people and understand British values. The school’s careers programme supports pupils to make informed choices about their futures and fulfil their potential.  At the time of the previous material change inspection, the delivery of the curriculum did not meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers were not adapting the curriculum in line with the targets set out in pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans. Since that inspection, the proprietor

p.1

Main inspection findings

has appointed a new headteacher with experience and expertise in working with pupils with SEND. There have also been several other appointments of staff with suitable knowledge and experience of working with pupils with SEND.  The headteacher has provided training for all staff aimed at ensuring that everyone understands the targets set out in pupils’ EHC plans. Staff now have a clear understanding of the needs, aptitudes and prior attainment of these pupils.  Specialist staff are in place to improve communication with external specialists. Systems are in place to ensure that information is shared with staff. This has resulted in teachers adapting their planning so that it provides for the needs of pupils with SEND. Support staff are clear about their role in assisting pupils. All pupils now have the opportunity to develop academically.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

p.1

Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 7, 9, 11, 14, 16  The proprietor has ensured that there is an appropriate safeguarding policy in place. This policy is in line with current statutory guidance and is available on the school’s website. Expectations of staff are clear.  Staff are aware of their responsibilities with regards to keeping pupils safe. The school uses an electronic system to record concerns. Staff have confidence in using the system and take the right actions to help keep pupils safe.  The school has a comprehensive behaviour policy. Leaders keep records of serious misbehaviour. Staff training ensures that all staff know how to manage behaviour effectively. This includes recognising how relationships affect behaviour.  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 policy also refers to how the curriculum provides for teaching pupils, including those

p.2

Main inspection findings

with SEND, about health and safety.  Pupils are well supervised. During breaks and between lessons staff are vigilant and ensure the safety of pupils. They know their responsibilities and adjust the level of support to match pupils’ individual needs.  Staff prepare individual risk assessments for each pupil when they join the school. These consider the individual needs of each pupil. For example, personal emergency evacuation plans are in place for pupils that require extra support in the event of an evacuation.  Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for the premises and for off-site activities. Leaders review these regularly and adjust them as required.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  To meet the requirements of the ISS, following the previous material change inspection, the proprietor took action to increase the number of staff with suitable

p.2

Main inspection findings

experience and expertise in working with pupils with SEND. This resulted in the appointment of a new headteacher, a review of the school’s staffing arrangements and extensive training for all staff.  The new headteacher is an experienced school leader who understands the additional needs of the pupils in her school well. She has developed staff expertise and ensured that the needs of these pupils are met successfully.  Leaders now have systems of accountability for checking and evaluating the impact of the school’s work. Trustees now check to see that the school is operating effectively.  Leaders continue to actively promote the well-being of pupils. Safeguarding arrangements meet requirements and the curriculum supports the social and emotional development of pupils, including those with SEND, well.  The standards in this paragraph are likely to be met.

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.4

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £24,000 to £52,000

p.4

School details

Email address office@magdalencourtschool.co.uk

p.4

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 2–4 July 2019

p.4

recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 18 5 to 18 5 to 18

p.4

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 54 180 180

p.4

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 52 180

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 50 180

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 49 180

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 48 180

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 13 15

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 10 40

p.5

Information about this school

 Magdalen Court School is a co-educational, non-selective day school currently registered for 250 pupils aged between five and 18 years of age.  The proprietor appointed a new headteacher in September 2020.  Currently, most of the pupils on the school’s roll have an EHC plan.  The majority of pupils are placed at the school by Devon.  The school does not make use of any alternative education provision.  The school’s previous standard inspection was in July 2019. At this time, it was found to require improvement to be good.

p.5

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 purpose of the inspection was to consider whether the school could add pupils with SEND to its registration status. This was the school’s second material change inspection. The first material change inspection was on 5 March 2020.  During the inspection, the inspector met with a trustee, the headteacher, the school’s head of placements, the leader for SEND, teachers and learning support assistants to discuss the proposed changes.  The inspector reviewed a range of the school’s documentation, including policies and procedures, pupils’ EHC plans, individual support plans, risk assessments and other records maintained by school staff.  The inspector spoke on the telephone to a representative of Devon County Council

p.7

Information about this inspection

and the parents of two children who attend the school.  The inspector also reviewed material available on the school’s website.

p.7

Inspection team

Mark Burgess, lead inspector Ofsted 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 .

p.7

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.

p.8

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 .

p.8

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.

p.8

Inspection team

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.8

Inspection team

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

p.8

Inspection team

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

p.8