Cotswold Chine School

Cotswold Chine School Box, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 9AG

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1)–4  Leaders have recently updated the school’s curriculum policy. The policy ensures that pupils, including students in the sixth form, receive full-time education in a range of subjects. Schemes of work and teachers’ planning take into account pupils’ ages, aptitudes and special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The personal, social, health and economic education curriculum reflects the school’s aims and covers a comprehensive range of topics, including equality of opportunity and local and national issues.  Pupils receive impartial careers advice and guidance from an adviser independent of the school and the trust. Action plans are in place to provide pupils with opportunities to experience work in areas that interest them. Transition plans that reflect pupils’ aspirations for life and work are developed with pupils, their parents or carers, social

p.1

Main inspection findings

workers and teaching staff. Students in the sixth form are supported to move successfully on to further education or employment.  Teaching allows pupils to make progress in the subjects they study, as well as in their social and emotional development. Teaching staff adapt their methods so that pupils can learn. Pupils’ work shows that they are engaged in their learning over time and take pride in their work.  Leaders have an established assessment system in place. Pupils in key stage 4 and students in the sixth form follow a range of courses leading to recognised qualifications.  The standards in this part continue to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  The school’s personal development curriculum supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and helps them to appreciate public institutions and fundamental British values. Older pupils undertake work experience in a range of

p.1

Main inspection findings

settings, including a cycle repair workshop, cafes and retail outlets. This supports them in developing their self-esteem and self-confidence.  The standard in this part continues to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7–16(b)  Leaders have ensured that safeguarding arrangements meet the requirements set out in the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The recently updated policy is posted on the school’s website. Although the requirements are met, leaders are aware of ways in which arrangements could be improved further.  Leaders have drafted a behaviour, support and physical intervention policy that staff follow. The arrangements to record, monitor and respond to incidents of physical intervention and restraint are fit for purpose. Leaders identify patterns, themes and triggers and take action to better support pupils and staff members. Pupils have no concerns about behaviour. Staff feel well prepared and well supported by leaders. The

p.2

Main inspection findings

use of physical intervention has declined.  Leaders have ensured that an effective anti-bullying policy is in place and is implemented. Bullying is not tolerated in the school. Staff feel confident about addressing any incidents of bullying. Pupils feel safe and are not concerned about bullying.  Pupils are supervised effectively throughout the day.  The school’s attendance and admissions registers are maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  Staff from the trust ensure that the health and safety policy, fire safety and first-aid arrangements are implemented effectively. This ensures that the necessary checks are carried out in good time and that the premises are maintained to ensure pupils’ health, safety and welfare.  Leaders have developed a risk assessment policy. They have written risk assessments which identify hazards, assess who will be affected by them and set out the control

p.2

Main inspection findings

measures required to reduce risk. Risk assessments cover all aspects of learning such as off-site learning, including the risks associated with the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.  The standards in this part continue to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1)–18(3), 20(6)–20(6)(c) and 21(1)–21(7)(b)  Trust leaders have ensured that the required checks are completed prior to staff members and trustees being appointed. These are accurately reflected in the single central register.  No agency staff have been engaged by the school recently. Leaders have no plans to make use of agency staff.  The standards in this part continue to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–29(1)(b)  Trust staff ensure that the premises are adequately heated, ventilated and lit. The premises at both the main site and the sixth-form centre are well maintained.

p.2

Main inspection findings

 The accommodation provides sufficient toilet facilities, accommodation for pupils who need first aid or medical examination and outdoor spaces.  Drinking water is available to pupils throughout the school day.  The standards in this part continue to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32  Leaders have ensured that all of the required information is available either on the school’s website or on request.  The contact details for the school and the proprietor are included on the school’s website, along with the school’s aims.  Most policies have been revised in the last 12 months and meet requirements.  The standard in this part continues to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33  The school’s complaints procedure covers all the required aspects. Leaders aim for all complaints to be resolved at an informal stage. Where the complainant remains dissatisfied, there is both a formal stage and, subsequently, an independent review

p.3

Main inspection findings

panel if needed.  The complaints log includes the details of the complaint, the stage at which it was resolved and the outcome. Leaders maintain records of the full details of each complaint and any investigations.  The standard in this part continues to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)  Trustees and leaders have ensured that the independent school standards (ISS) continue to be met.  The chair of trustees and the chief executive officer ensure that systems are in place to monitor compliance with the standards. This includes the appointment of an external adviser who provides additional assurance to the trustees.  Leaders have restructured the staffing arrangements. Trustees have allocated resources to make additional appointments, strengthen the curriculum and improve the premises. Trustees recognise areas where further improvements need to be made

p.3

Main inspection findings

but these do not compromise the ISS continuing to be met.  The standard in this part continues to be met.

p.3

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.

p.4

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.5

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

School status Independent special school

p.5

School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

p.5

School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 11

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £59,475–£79,365

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 26–28 September 2017

p.5

Information about this school

 Cotswold Chine School is operated by Novalis Trust. The proprietor also operates an independent specialist college and residential accommodation for children and adults.  The main school premises are located on the edge of the village of Box, Gloucestershire, GL6 9AG.  Since the previous standard inspection, the proprietor has opened a sixth-form centre within the grounds of William Morris College in Eastington, Gloucestershire, GL10 3SH.  The previous standard inspection of the school was carried out in September 2017, when the school was judged to be good.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school offers education for pupils who have social, emotional or behavioural difficulties due to significant trauma in their lives. Most pupils have an education, health and care plan. All pupils are placed at the school by their respective local authority.

p.5

Information about this inspection

 We carried out this inspection under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.  The school meets the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.  This emergency inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools as a result of concerns regarding pupils’ welfare and safety.  In accordance with the arrangements in place for COVID-19, this inspection was conducted with 30 minutes’ notice.  Inspectors met with the headteacher, who is also the designated safeguarding lead. Inspectors also met with the chair and chief executive of Novalis Trust, the deputy designated safeguarding lead, senior leaders, members of staff and the trust’s health

p.7

Information about this inspection

and safety adviser.  Inspectors visited lessons with leaders. They looked at pupils’ work, heard pupils read and spoke with pupils.  Inspectors reviewed a range of documentation, including registers, safeguarding, health and safety and behaviour records, the school’s improvement plan, staff development records and minutes of meetings.

p.7

Inspection team

Iain Freeland, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

Inspection team

Mark Burgess 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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

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.

p.8

Inspection team

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.8

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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.8

Inspection team

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.8

Inspection team

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

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8