Unsted Park School

School material change inspection report

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Unsted Park School Munstead Heath Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1UW

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7  The school’s comprehensive safeguarding policy complies with the latest statutory guidance and is published on the school’s website.  Leaders have a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures. They maintain valuable links with agencies such as children’s services and the police.  Leaders ensure that staff are well trained and knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures. Leaders use weekly updates to keep staff informed about safeguarding issues.  The school’s secure online system for recording safeguarding concerns and any actions taken is well established. The system enables leaders to identify any patterns in concerns raised about pupils and to check progress made in individual cases. Paragraph 11  The school’s wide range of health and safety policies provide a secure framework for pupils and staff. The school’s written health and safety policy is published on the

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Main inspection findings

school’s website. Paragraph 12  Leaders give fire safety a high priority. Fire risk assessments have been completed for all areas of the school site, including the new classrooms and remodelled areas. The school completes emergency evacuation drills regularly. The school’s maintenance manager makes sure that fire equipment is serviced and maintained properly. Paragraph 14  High staff to pupil ratios ensure that pupils are supervised properly. Staff maintain positive and professional relationships with pupils. Leaders have suitable plans in place to maintain current staff to pupil ratios should the proposed increase in the number of pupils be approved. Paragraph 16  The school’s risk assessment policy is implemented effectively. The school maintains a wide range of risk assessments to help staff to identify and mitigate risk in different contexts and activities. Risk assessments are also completed for individual pupils,

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Main inspection findings

which take their specific needs into account.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards in these paragraphs if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17 and 18  Leaders are suitably qualified in safeguarding and recruitment matters. They have a clear understanding of their responsibilities for completing recruitment and suitability checks for all adults who come into contact with pupils.  Leaders have completed all required pre-employment checks for staff currently employed in the school. The school business manager works closely with the proprietor to ensure that checks are completed in a timely fashion. Paragraph 19  The school’s rigorous safeguarding procedures ensure that all required pre- employment checks are carried out where supply staff are employed. Paragraph 20  All required checks have been completed for members of the proprietor body.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 21  The single central register currently meets requirements. Robust procedures in place mean that this is likely to remain the case in the future.  Leaders have ensured that all relevant standards in Part 4 are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29  The current school building complies fully with all aspects of the standards in Part 5.  The newly built classrooms and the remodelled areas mean that the school would be able to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers comfortably.  The two newly built classrooms are bright, attractive and well equipped. Large windows ensure that the classrooms are suitably ventilated and well-lit by lots of natural light, in addition to the classrooms’ artificial lights. Each of the new classrooms is equipped with toilet facilities and has access to drinking water.

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Main inspection findings

 The classrooms provide plenty of space for pupils to learn and to interact with each other. During the inspection, pupils were seen working at tables, answering the teacher’s questions and moving around the classrooms freely.  Leaders have remodelled part of the school previously used for residential accommodation. Rooms previously used as bedrooms have been redesigned to provide two suitably equipped classrooms, two break-out rooms, a pastoral room and a toilet block. Refurbishment work has been completed to a high standard.  Recent developments include the creation of a purpose-built outdoor play area for the younger pupils which can be accessed directly from the two new classrooms. The play area provides pupils with an inviting and stimulating environment for relaxing and socialising during breaktimes. During the inspection, pupils enjoyed using the recently installed play equipment at the start of the lunchtime break.

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Main inspection findings

 The current medical facilities will continue to be suitable for pupils if the increase in the number of pupils on roll is approved.  The school’s extensive and attractive grounds provide plenty of outdoor space for pupils to exercise, socialise and to get some fresh air. The high staff to pupil ratios ensure that pupils are supervised appropriately when they are using the school grounds.  Leaders have ensured that all relevant standards in Part 5 are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Leaders have worked hard to ensure that the new classrooms and related areas are fit for purpose and completed to a high standard.  The proprietors maintain and monitor a range of robust policies and procedures which comply with current statutory guidance. These policies and procedures will provide a secure framework for the school should the proposed increase in pupil numbers be

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Main inspection findings

approved by the Department for Education (DfE).  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards are likely to be met should the DfE approve the proposed material change.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent residential special school

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School details

Proprietor Priory Education Services Limited

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School details

Website www.priorychildrensservices.co.uk/unsted- park-school Email address unstedparkschool@priorygroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 April to 2 May 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 20 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 80 Up to 96 Up to 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 83 Up to 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 83 Up to 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 83 Up to 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority an education, health and care plan 83 Up to 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 15 18

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 9 9

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Information about this school

 Unsted Park School is part of the Priory Group, offering full-time education to male and female pupils between the ages of seven and 20. The school is registered for up to 80 pupils. At the time of this material change inspection, the school was operating beyond its registration agreement with 83 pupils on the school roll.  The school caters for young people with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and associated disorders, such as anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and pathological demand avoidance. All pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities and usually have an education, health and care plan. Most pupils are placed and funded at the school by a local authority.  The last standard inspection of the school’s education provision took place in April 2019. The last full inspection of the school’s residential provision took place in November 2018.  The school currently uses Farnborough College of Technology to extend the range of

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Information about this school

courses available in the school at A level.  Mane Chance Sanctuary in Monkshatch Farm Down Lane, Compton, is currently used by the school to provide practical horse care experiences for a small number of pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to evaluate the school’s application for a material change. The proprietor wishes to increase the maximum number of pupils on roll from 80 to 96.  This was the school’s first material change inspection.  During the inspection, I met with the headteacher, the director of operations, the business manager and the site manager. I viewed the new primary building and the associated outdoor play area. I also visited a part of the school which has been remodelled to provide more classroom space. I reviewed the school’s website and considered a range of documentation.  A social care assurance visit was taking place at the time of the inspection.

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Inspection team

Julie Sackett, 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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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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.

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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 .

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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 children looked after, 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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