Compass Community School South

School material change inspection report

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Compass Community School South Hilltop House, Palmerston Road, Newhaven, East Sussex BN9 0NS

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7  A suitable safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website and is compliant with current guidelines.  Leaders make sure that staff are well trained in safeguarding matters. Good communication between staff ensures any safeguarding concerns are shared and appropriate action is taken.  Safeguarding records are kept in good order. Leaders check safeguarding procedures regularly. Paragraph 11  Leaders make sure that the comprehensive health and safety policy is implemented well. Detailed records show that checks are made regularly so that the building is safe for pupils. Paragraph 12  Fire safety takes a high priority in this school. Leaders make sure that the school complies fully with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Signage to show fire exits and procedures is clear. Fire drills are undertaken regularly.  A log of checks on the maintenance of fire appliances, emergency lighting, and other

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Main inspection findings

fire safety issues is kept up to date.  An independent fire advisory body undertakes a fire risk assessment of the buildings annually. Paragraph 14  Leaders wish to increase the school roll from a maximum of five pupils to seven. Currently, there are three full-time teachers and two therapists. School leaders do not plan to increase staffing as there are already sufficient staff to serve the needs of the additional two pupils well. However, should a pupil join who requires extra or specialised staffing, then the school will increase numbers of staff accordingly. Paragraph 16  Leaders have developed an effective risk assessment policy to explain how risks are managed. Staff consider carefully any potential hazard, especially any risks associated with trips and activities. Controls are put in place to reduce the chance of a pupil being harmed.  Records show that staff understand differing levels of risk and plan to take

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Main inspection findings

appropriate actions to minimise them.  Staff consider carefully the risks associated with pupils’ individual needs and take precautions appropriately.  All the requirements that were checked are likely to continue to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18, 19, 20 and 21  School leaders carry out all the statutory pre-employment checks on staff.  The checks are recorded carefully in electronic form on a centralised register. Leaders and governors double-check the register regularly to make sure all checks have been completed as required. Leaders ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.  All the requirements that were checked are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30  The school has a clean, bright decor and is kept in good order.  There are three teaching spaces that are adequate in size to accommodate the proposed increase in number of pupils. Two of the spaces are set out as formal classrooms. The third space has a social area, with a table and comfortable chairs adjacent to a kitchen.  The school complies with all aspects of premises requirements, such as providing a medical room with hot and cold water and a bed. Suitable drinking water sources are provided.  The toilet facilities include washing facilities and have water at a suitable temperature.  The outside area is maintained well. There is an artificially grassed games area, although physical education takes place at a local sports centre. There is a small gardening area and an outside social area with benches. The outside space provides additional teaching space and a pleasant space for pupils to relax.

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Main inspection findings

 The current buildings and facilities are suitable to accommodate a further two pupils. All the requirements that were checked are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Suitably skilled, experienced and effective governors ensure that the leaders of the school consistently meet the independent school standards checked during this inspection.  Recently, leadership capacity has been strengthened further with the addition of a regional executive headteacher. Roles and responsibilities of leaders are clearly defined. The operational leader of the school makes sure that all safeguarding procedures work well. A comprehensive and reliable audit process ensures that leaders at all levels are supported and challenged in their work to keep pupils safe.  Leaders have considered carefully the reasons for the material change request to

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Main inspection findings

increase the age limit from 16 to 17. Most pupils have missed time at their previous school or have been out of education for a while. For this reason, leaders want to offer education to 17-year-olds so they can complete their preparation for key stage 4 examinations at the school.  Governors and leaders recognise that the school has the capacity to support an additional two pupils.  All the requirements are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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

Website www.compass-schools.org/compass- community-school-south/ Email address Rebecca.slayford@compasscommunity.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 13–15 November 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 17 11 to 17

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 4 7 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 4 7 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 4 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 2 7

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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 2 7

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 2 2

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Information about this school

 Compass Community School South is part of Compass Community Children’s Services that provides education and care homes for pupils across the country.  The school provides education for boys with complex social, emotional and mental health issues. All pupils are in the care of the local authority.  Pupils join the school at different times during the school year and at different ages. Their length of stay in the school varies according to their individual needs. Pupils receive education, care and therapy services while in the school.  Since the last inspection a regional executive headteacher has been appointed.  The school had a standard inspection in November 2018 when it was rated outstanding. This is the first material change inspection of the school.  The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was carried out at the request of the DfE as the school had applied to increase the number of pupils on roll from up to five to up to seven. The school also applied to change the upper age limit from 16 to 17.  Meetings were held with the senior teacher with operational responsibility for the school. Further discussions were held with the director of education. A telephone discussion was held with the chair of governors.  The inspector toured the premises.  The inspector looked at a range of policies and documents connected with health and safety, safeguarding pupils and governance.  The school’s website was viewed.

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Inspection team

Sue Child, 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 .

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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 looked after children, 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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