Newbury Independent School

Newbury Independent School Unit 6, Cuckoo Wharf, 435 Lichfield Road, Aston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B6 7SS

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned this inspection because of concerns raised about the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  Leaders have put in place a safeguarding policy that adheres to current government guidance. It is available on the school’s website. Parents can request a copy of the policy from the school.  Senior leaders responsible for safeguarding are suitably trained and knowledgeable in safeguarding matters. There are clear protocols in place for staff recruitment and staff induction.  Leaders regularly train staff on safeguarding matters. For example, on the day of the inspection, all staff completed a safeguarding training day. Staff are able to spot signs that a child may need help. They know what to do if they have any concerns. Staff are vigilant and understand the additional challenges that pupils at the school may face.

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Main inspection findings

 The staff code of conduct sets out leaders’ expectations for staff’s behaviour, including their use of language, whistleblowing and health and safety.  The school continues to meet these standards. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 10  The school’s behaviour policy sets out the sanctions for misbehaviour. It also details examples of serious misdemeanours and how incidents should be reported and recorded. The policy clearly outlines the procedures that staff should follow.  The anti-bullying policy details the school’s anti-bullying strategies. It includes information about the signs and symptoms of bullying that staff should be alert to. It also describes how staff should respond to any bullying incidents or allegations of bullying. The policy highlights the different types of bullying and makes references to how pupils will be taught about these within the school’s curriculum.  The new headteacher provided evidence to show that physical restraint training is

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Main inspection findings

provided for all staff. This is because leaders know that pupils are likely to have specific behavioural, social and emotional needs. This additional training ensures that all interventions follow set rules and protocols. All incidents of restraint are recorded so that discussions with pupils and staff can take place to address any identified issues.  The school continues to meet these standards. Paragraph 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  There is suitable provision for first aid on site. There are named first aiders and safeguarding staff. This information is displayed around the school. The school’s first aid policy states how pupils with additional medical needs will be supported.  Leaders have suitable health and safety and risk assessment policies. They have carried out several risk assessments to minimise likely or known risks to pupils and staff. For example, there are detailed risk assessments in place for any off-site visits

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Main inspection findings

such as sporting activities.  Arrangements for recording admissions of pupils are in place. The school’s attendance policy and register use the appropriate DfE codes when recording pupils’ absence from school.  Appropriate arrangements for the supervision of pupils are in place. This includes arrangements for trips, activities on site and social times. All pupils are supervised by an adult throughout the school day, including break and lunchtimes.  Leaders commission an annual fire risk assessment of the school site. They have acted to address any issues identified by these assessments. Leaders plan and execute regular fire drills with pupils and staff and keep records of these.  The school continues to meet these standards. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f), 32(1)(g), 32(1)(h), 32(1)(i), 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(ii), 32(2)(c), 32(2)(d), 32(3),

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Main inspection findings

32(3)(a), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(c), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(f), 32(3)(g)  The DfE commissioned this inspection because of concerns about the provision of information.  Leaders fulfil their duties to provide the required information on the school’s website, such as contact details for senior leaders, proprietors and the chair of governors. There are copies of all relevant policies on the website. Policies are available to parents on request.  Leaders provide parents and carers with regular information about how well pupils are doing. This is done through reports that include pupils’ attainment and learning aptitudes. Reports also refer to pupils’ specific personal goals.  Proprietors keep records of the funding they receive for each pupil and how that funding is spent.  Senior leaders ensure that every pupil with an education, health and care (EHC) plan has an annual review. They keep records of these reviews and share them with

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Main inspection findings

relevant agencies as required.  The school continues to meet these standards. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The proprietors express a strong commitment to making the school a success. The headteacher and the chief executive officer (CEO) demonstrate suitable knowledge, skills and expertise. They have high ambitions for the education that the school provides. They are committed to providing high-quality education and bespoke pastoral care to vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils, many of whom are children looked after.  Proprietors have employed a CEO and school improvement partner to provide additional support and expertise to the school. The CEO has suitable knowledge of the independent school standards and also has expertise in social care work.  The relatively new headteacher has secure knowledge of the independent school

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Main inspection findings

standards and how to meet them consistently and continually over time. She has devised clear plans and policies for the school. She is knowledgeable about the many challenges that face some pupils.  Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to actively promote pupils’ well-being, welfare and safety.  The school continues to meet these standards.

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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 were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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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.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 5

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School details

Proprietor Robin Smith and Anthony Walters

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £25,502–£48,902

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School details

Email address enquiries@newburyschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25–27 June 2019

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Information about this school

 Newbury School is an independent day school providing education for pupils between the ages of 11 and 19 years old. It opened in October 2016 and is registered by the DfE to accommodate up to 60 pupils.  The current headteacher and CEO were appointed in September 2019.  Pupils attending the school have a range of social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Many pupils have an EHC plan. A large proportion of pupils are children looked after.  Nearly all the pupils have experienced significant disruption to their education. The majority have been permanently excluded from previous schools.  Pupils come from a range of cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. The school does not have a specific religious character.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency unannounced inspection was carried out at the request of the DfE because of a complaint about the school relating to welfare, health and safety, provision of information and leadership and management. The purpose of the inspection was to check whether the school continues to meet the independent school standards in the areas where concerns had been raised.  This is the first inspection since the school’s last full inspection, which took place in June 2019, when it was judged to require improvement.  The inspector met with the headteacher of the school and the CEO. She held a meeting with senior leaders responsible for safeguarding and with a proprietor. The inspector also checked the school’s policies and documents.  The inspector toured the school’s premises, accompanied by the headteacher.  The inspector spoke with a small number of pupils and staff.

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Inspection team

Bianka Zemke, lead inspector Her Majesty’s 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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