Bloomfield School

Bloomfield School 178 Bloomfield Road, Tipton, West Midlands DY4 9ER

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The school has a suitable safeguarding policy which takes account of the latest government guidance. It is published on the school’s website. However, leaders are not adhering to the policy well enough to reduce safeguarding risks. While there is no immediate risk of harm to pupils, sampling of staff files shows that references are not scrutinised well enough or followed up when insufficient information relating to safeguarding is provided.  The proprietor body has not ensured that any safeguarding concerns about members of staff have been reported to relevant agencies.  The senior leader with responsibility for safeguarding and her deputies are up to date with their training. They make sure that pupils who need additional help and support to keep them safe are referred quickly to local agencies. These pupils receive the help

p.1

Main inspection findings

they need to keep themselves safe.  Leaders have also ensured that staff have recently completed relevant safeguarding training. However, some members of staff are still unclear about to whom they should refer concerns about other staff members.  While the use of physical interventions is decreasing, the standard of recording these incidents varies in quality. 11 interventions have been recorded this term, but on nearly every form the information has not been completed correctly and incident numbers are not logged accurately. Records suggest that pupils are not receiving the post-incident support that the school intends to offer. While there is evidence that leaders are quality assuring these forms, the standard of completion remains inconsistent. Leaders recognise that this record-keeping system is not as secure as it could be.  These standards are not met. Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 10  School records show that incidents of poor behaviour are generally decreasing over

p.1

Main inspection findings

time. Earlier this year, staff reported that pupils’ behaviour deteriorated, believing that that this was because systems and expectations had been changed without consultation and expectations of pupils were unclear. The acting headteacher, who has been in post since September 2020, has re-established clear rules and expectations of pupils and staff. Staff say that this is having a positive impact on staff morale and pupils’ behaviour. Pupils told the inspector that behaviour at the school is ‘ok’ for most of the time, and that inappropriate behaviour is dealt with effectively by staff.  The school has a suitable anti-bullying policy, which recognises the different types of bullying that may occur, such as racist, homophobic and cyber bullying. Pupils told the inspector that if any bullying takes place at school, the staff will sort it out. Pupils know that they can talk to staff if they have any concerns about being bullied.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 These standards continue to be met. Paragraphs 11 and 14  The school has a suitable health and safety policy. Additional measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The environment is clean and well-maintained. Pupils are appropriately supervised by members of staff and are kept safe from harm.  These standards continue to be met. Paragraph 15  This paragraph, which relates to the school’s maintenance of the admission and attendance registers, was not in the original scope of the inspection.  At the time of the inspection, pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 were attending school on a part-time basis, on alternate days of the week. This has been the case since September 2020, even though the Department for Education (DfE) has stated that full-time attendance is mandatory for all pupils from this date. Although these pupils are provided with some work to complete while at home, they are not receiving their

p.2

Main inspection findings

statutory entitlement of a full-time education. Pupils told the inspector that they like being part-time because they can play on their gaming devices at home. They said that they are not given much work to do. It is also likely that these pupils’ individual social, emotional and mental health needs are not being met sufficiently well.  Leaders are using the incorrect code to record the attendance of pupils who are attending part-time, so the school’s attendance figures are inaccurate.  This standard is not met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 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), 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), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii),

p.2

Main inspection findings

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) and 21(7)(b)  When the single central register (SCR) was checked at the beginning of the inspection, the inspector noted several administrative errors. These were rectified on the same day, and the register was subsequently compliant with government guidelines. Leaders reported that they check the SCR every week, but were unable to provide evidence of this.  Leaders understand and make the necessary checks on supply staff who are engaged in employment at the school.  These standards are met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(i), 33(i)(ii), 33(j) and 33(k)  This part of the standards was not in the original scope of the inspection.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 The school has received a number of complaints in the last academic year. Leaders did not make these complaints available for inspection, as they had all been stored centrally. This action disregards the school’s own complaints policy and the relevant independent school standards.  A member of the proprietor body was able to provide the inspector with an oral account of the investigation into the complaints during the inspection and the subsequent outcomes. Several complaints were upheld.  Leaders are in the process of revising their complaints policy and it is currently awaiting ratification.  These standards are not met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The school has been through a turbulent time of late. There have been several changes of headteacher. School systems have been changed and staff and pupils have become unsettled. A number of complaints about the leadership of the school have

p.3

Main inspection findings

been made. The proprietor has ensured that the complaints have been investigated and has taken the necessary actions to stabilise the school. During the inspection, staff spoke positively to the inspector about the recent changes that have been made.  The appointment of the acting headteacher has helped to galvanise the staff, as well as re-establish routines and expectations. However, the period of turbulence has had a negative impact on the school and, as a result, leaders have not ensured that some of the independent school standards have been met consistently.  The proprietor body has not monitored the systems and practices in the school sufficiently well since the last inspection and, as a result, pupils have been put at potential risk of harm. The school is now in a stronger position, which ensures that, on a day-to-day basis, pupils are safe.  The proprietor body has not ensured that every pupil is receiving their statutory

p.3

Main inspection findings

entitlement to a full-time education, as well as additional support for their social, emotional and mental health needs as set out in their education, health and care plan (EHC plan).  These standards are not met.

p.3

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

p.5

School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

p.6

School details

School status Independent special school

p.6

School details

Proprietor Horizon Care and Education Group Ltd

p.6

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £39,936 – £92,157

p.6

School details

Email address bloomfieldoffice@horizoncare.co.uk

p.6

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4–6 June 2019

p.6

Information about this school

 Bloomfield School is an independent special school that caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an EHC plan. Bloomfield School is one of nine schools in the Horizon Care and Education Group Ltd.  Bloomfield School was previously inspected in July 2019 when its overall effectiveness was judged to be good.  The school uses the alternative provider Nova Training, Bushbury Lane, Wolverhampton WV10 9TT to offer vocational opportunities to some of the pupils.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the DfE, following a number of complaints received about the school. Complaints raised concerns about safeguarding, the welfare and safety of pupils and the quality of leadership and management of the school. These concerns were considered during the inspection.  The inspection was carried out with 30 minutes’ notice to discuss the practical arrangements of the inspection and the school’s measures for having visitors on site. The inspection lasted for one day.  The school has received eight more complaints this term, all anonymous. The chief executive officer (CEO) of Horizon Care and Education has engaged an independent law firm to investigate these new complaints.  The inspection focused on safeguarding, the welfare, health and safety of the pupils, the suitability of staff, supply staff and the proprietor body, complaints and leadership and management of the school, to check compliance with the independent school

p.7

Information about this inspection

standards.  The acting headteacher was appointed to the school on an interim basis in September 2020, following the resignation of the previous headteacher. She is the substantive headteacher of another school in the proprietor group. The proprietor is seeking to appoint a substantive headteacher as soon as possible.  The inspector met with the acting headteacher and the assistant headteacher. She spoke on the telephone with the CEO and the Director of Quality for Horizon Care and Education. The inspector met with several members of staff and pupils at the school. She looked at a range of school policies, complaints submitted about the school and headteacher reports. She scrutinised a range of safeguarding documentation, including the safeguarding policy, the school’s single central register, staff training records, pupil records and behaviour records.

p.7

Inspection team

Deb Jenkins, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that-

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13].

p.8

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

 33 The standard about the manner in which complaints are handled is met if the proprietor ensures that a complaints procedure is drawn up and effectively implemented which deals with the handling of complaints from parents of pupils and which-

p.8

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

– 33(i) provides for the panel to make findings and recommendations and stipulates that a copy of those findings and recommendations is-

p.8

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

– 33(i)(ii) available for inspection on the school premises by the proprietor and the head teacher;

p.8

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

– 33(j) provides for a written record to be kept of all complaints that are made in accordance with sub-paragraph (e) and-

p.8

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

– 33(k) provides that correspondence, statements and records relating to individual complaints are to be kept confidential except where the Secretary of State or a body conducting an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act requests access to them.

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school-

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.

p.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

p.9

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

p.9