LUMIAR STOWFORD SCHOOL

School progress monitoring inspection report

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LUMIAR STOWFORD SCHOOL Stowford Manor Farm, Wingfield BA14 9LH

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  At the time of the last inspection, leaders did not demonstrate a strong understanding of statutory safeguarding requirements. Inspectors reported that the school’s single central register was incomplete. Some checks on adults’ suitability to work with children had not been conducted. In addition, leaders did not demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of risk assessment procedures, including those relating to the school site and pupils.  The school’s safeguarding policy takes account of the most recent government legislation and guidance. Staff and trustees have a good understanding of the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures.  Staff receive high-quality training and timely updates on keeping pupils safe. Leaders check the understanding of staff through online safeguarding assessments and weekly staff meetings. More recently, staff have received training on the impact of COVID-19

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Main inspection findings

(coronavirus) on pupils’ social and mental health. As a result, staff are confident in the action they should take if they have any concerns regarding the safety or well-being of a pupil.  Staff form positive and trusting relationships with pupils. All pupils spoken with during the inspection reported that they are happy and feel safe in school. Pupils understand what they need to do to stay safe around the school site. For example, pupils told the inspector why they must wear high-visibility jackets and walk in pairs when moving from their outdoor play area back into school.  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website and is easily accessible. The policy pays due regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State, which includes ‘Keeping children safe in education’, 2020. Paragraph 14  At the time of the last inspection, inspectors reported that pupils were not properly

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Main inspection findings

supervised around the school site.  Pupils are well supervised throughout the school day, during lessons and in social times. For example, pupils are escorted safely to and from their outdoor play area. Pupils have access to two spacious grassed areas. These areas are fenced with clear signage that the land is private with no public access. Pupils can no longer stray towards the river.  The actions that leaders have taken to improve the safety of the grounds mitigate potential risks to pupils and help to keep them safe. Paragraph 16  At the time of the last inspection, it was reported that the school did not carry out risk assessments effectively. Inspectors commented that staff did not include enough detail about how to keep pupils safe from potential hazards. It was noted that leaders had not considered the nature of the site when considering pupils’ safety.  Staff and governors have undertaken suitable health and safety training. Leaders have

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Main inspection findings

also commissioned the support of an external company to provide ongoing health and safety advice and regularly audit the school’s procedures.  Risk assessments are in place for activities within the school building and beyond. The head of education referred to a ‘change in mindset’ following the last inspection. Staff now consider any activity beyond the school building as a trip. Therefore, there are risk assessments in place for all activities within the school’s grounds. These risk assessments meet requirements to minimise risk to pupils and keep them safe.  The standards in paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 14 and 16 are now met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(iii)  The last inspection found that some checks on adults’ suitability to work with children had not been conducted. Teaching staff had not undergone the required prohibition

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Main inspection findings

check.  Leaders now ensure checks on adults’ suitability to work with children are completed. All staff have undergone the required prohibition check.  Leaders have undertaken safer recruitment training. As a result, they are confident in the processes and checks required when appointing new staff. Leaders complete recruitment checks as required. Paragraph 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(b)  The last inspection found that there were weaknesses in the school’s approach to safer recruitment. Inspectors found that the single central register was incomplete.  The single central register of pre-appointment checks meets statutory requirements. A new online register is well maintained and reviewed by the head of education and the safeguarding governor to ensure it remains compliant.  The standards in paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(iii), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(b) are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  Inspectors reported that leaders and trustees had not ensured that the requirements of the independent school standards (ISS) were in place at the last inspection. Leaders had not ensured that staff and proprietors were safe to work with children. It was also reported that systems to monitor the school’s actions to ensure that it complies with the ISS were not strong enough.  The head of education, with support from the proprietor and trustees, has worked tirelessly to tackle the improvements identified at the time of the last inspection. Systems are securely in place and are now routinely monitored to minimise risk and keep pupils safe.  The proprietor and leaders of Lumiar Stowford School have ensured that the independent school standards checked during this inspection are now met.  The standard in paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) is now met.

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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. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  14 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 18(2)(b) no such person carries out work, or intends to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction; – 18(2)(c) the proprietor carries of appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person- – 18(2)(c)(iii) the person’s right to work in the United Kingdom.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is- – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff(‘S’) appointed on or after 1 st May 2007, whether- – 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

direction; – 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff (‘S’), whether a check was made whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership 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- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so the independent standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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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

Headteacher Claire Walker (Head of education)

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 3–5 December 2019

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Information about this school

 The school’s last standard inspection took place in December 2019. This was the first time it had received a standard inspection.  The proprietor changed from Lumiar Project Limited to Lumiar Stowford in September 2019. At the time of the last inspection, the registration authority had not been notified of this change. There are three trustees of Lumiar Stowford who make up the proprietor board and oversees the work of the school.  The previous head of education left their post in 2019 and was replaced by the current head of education. This change had not been notified to the registration authority.  Early years provision opened in September 2020.  The school does not use any alternative providers.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This was the first progress monitoring inspection. Prior to this, the school submitted an action plan to the Department for Education and this was accepted in March 2020.  The inspector held meetings with the head of education, proprietor and vice chair of governors. She had an informal discussion with a member of staff.  The inspector observed pupils moving around the site and held conversations with them during their playtime.  A wide range of documentation was scrutinised, including documents relating to health and safety and safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Jen Southall, 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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