Skegness Grammar School

Boarding emergency inspection report The information contained within this draft report should not be shared or published under any circumstances. Ofsted will consider the sharing of information in any manner a serious breach of confidentiality and will take appropriate action if necessary Skegness Grammar School 1 October 2020

p.1

Skegness Grammar School, Vernon Road, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE25 2QS

p.1

Main inspection findings

The overall experiences and progress of children An unannounced visit was carried out after concerns were raised to Ofsted about the boarding provision. The concerns were raised anonymously. The complainant was concerned that the reopening of the boarding provision, following a period of closure, had not been done safely. The complainant raised concerns about management and staffing arrangements, the physical environment and the boarding provision’s adherence to policies and procedures.

p.1

Main inspection findings

The boarding provision at Skegness Grammar School was last inspected on 14 to 16 May 2019 and was judged as good in all areas. The school was found to have met all the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Following the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, there had been uncertainty about whether boarding would continue to be offered, and alternative options were being explored. Decisions about the future of the boarding provision have not yet been made. However, a decision has been made to continue to offer boarding to a small number of existing boarders.

p.1

Main inspection findings

The boarding house is comfortable and well maintained. Due to the very low number of boarders, only part of the boarding house is being used. The boarding provision is large and mainly unoccupied, but the physical environment meets young people’s needs well.

p.1

Main inspection findings

The boarders’ main evening meal is provided by the school and transported to the boarding house. This is not an ideal situation, given the distance between the school and the boarding provision, but appropriate procedures are in place to manage this. Other meals, snacks and refreshments are available on site.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Young people are happy with the boarding provision. They receive good support from staff. The staff spend time with young people and promote their educational progress as well as providing a range of extra-curricular activities. New staff have been recruited to complement the boarding staff team, but most staff are familiar to the young people. Young people are dedicated to their studies. The boarding environment supports this.

p.1

Main inspection findings

How well children are helped and protected Staff understand how to keep young people safe. Staff are familiar with safeguarding procedures and know what to do if they are concerned about a young person. There are no obvious health and safety concerns. A recommendation made at the last inspection regarding the storage of hazardous items and substances has been addressed. Fire evacuation drills are taking place as appropriate.

p.1

Main inspection findings

The effectiveness of leaders and managers The director of boarding left their post earlier this year. The school is in the process of appointing a new director of boarding. However, the school principal maintains an oversight of the boarding provision. In general, interim management arrangements are suitable and effective.

p.2

School details

Unique reference number 138757 Social care unique reference number SC060655 DfE registration number Inspection number 10167017 The inspection of boarding provision was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

p.3

School details

Type of school Boarding school School status Independent boarding school Age range of pupils 11 to 18 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 675 Number of boarders on roll 5 Headteacher Jude Hunton Head of boarding/residential provision Post vacant Telephone number 01754 610000 Website www.skegnessgrammar.co.uk Email address enquiries@skegnessgrammar.co.uk Date of previous boarding inspection 14 to 16 May 2019

p.3

Information about this school

 Skegness Grammar School is a co-educational, selective, foundation day and boarding school based in the town of Skegness.  The school caters for boys and girls aged 11 to 18 years and there are currently 675 pupils on roll. Five pupils are boarders. The boarding community caters for boarders from different cultures and ethnicities.  The boarding house is located on the edge of the market town of Wainfleet.

p.3

Inspection team

Corrinne Barker, lead inspector Social Care Regulatory 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.3

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. 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/government/organisations/ofsted .

p.4

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. 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-

p.4

Inspection team

government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

Inspection team

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

p.4

Inspection team

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

p.4