Seven Hills

School pre-registration inspection report

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Seven Hills 80b Kenn Road, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6EX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2, 3, 4  School leaders are committed to delivering a bespoke curriculum that meets pupils’ specific needs. The range of subjects to be offered meets the requirements of the independent school standards (ISS). There will be a wide range of therapeutic provision available to pupils, including play therapy, mindfulness and yoga.  Pupils will follow academic and vocational routes for learning. Staff will assess pupils on entry to the school to identify the most appropriate route. Pupils will be able to study for accredited qualifications, such as skills-based ones from the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network, alongside GCSEs.  In all subjects, leaders have prepared schemes of work for each key stage. Teachers will tailor these schemes to plan learning that meets pupils’ individual needs and presents new ideas in a coherent sequence. Reading will be a priority. Pupils will have

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Main inspection findings

missed significant periods of their education. Therefore, leaders have trained staff in place to support pupils with gaps in their early reading and enable them to catch up quickly.  Pupils will learn personal skills through a carefully planned personal, social, health and economic education programme. Leaders have correctly identified the importance of building pupils’ self-esteem, confidence and resilience when attending the school. Leaders have planned ‘life-skills’ sessions, including cooking, to prepare pupils for their future.  Leaders have plans in place to provide impartial careers guidance and advice. Pupils will have varied opportunities to learn about employment, including work experience, work-related learning and on-site visits.  The headteacher and other leaders intend to monitor closely the quality of education and care pupils receive. Induction programmes for new staff are an integral part of

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Main inspection findings

staff development to ensure pupils are receiving an effective education. The head of education is working closely with North Somerset County Council and neighbouring local authorities to ensure that prospective pupils’ needs are clearly understood before any placement is agreed.  The assessment policy sets out a framework to guide staff as to how pupils’ learning and development will be checked. Staff will use regular reviews of pupils’ work and social development to keep parents and social workers well informed about their achievements.  These standards are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  There is a clear commitment to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Leaders have considered how to promote this aspect of pupils’ development. Leaders see this aspect of learning as being fundamental to pupils’ future success. There is a strong focus on developing pupils’ self-confidence and self-

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Main inspection findings

esteem. Supporting pupils to self-regulate their behaviour and well-being is a core aim of the school.  The school will not have any religious character. Leaders are aware of the need for pupils to learn about cultures and faiths beyond their own. There are appropriate opportunities for pupils to do this as part of their planned learning.  Leaders are aware of the importance of presenting pupils with alternative views when considering political and ethical issues. This will enable pupils to gain the necessary skills to approach an argument or dilemma in a balanced and empathetic way.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16  Leaders have suitable arrangements in place to safeguard pupils. The safeguarding policy is comprehensive and meets current government legislation and guidance. It is easily accessible.

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Main inspection findings

 Through their induction, staff will receive suitable training which will support them to take appropriate action to minimise risk and keep pupils safe. Leaders will provide staff with valuable, additional training on risks that are pertinent to pupils who will attend this school. As a result, staff are likely to be confident in the action to take should they spot any concerns regarding the safety or well-being of a pupil.  The school has suitable behaviour and anti-bullying procedures in place.  The proprietor has an effective health and safety policy in place. There are written procedures in place to ensure that appropriate checks on the premises and equipment comply with requirements.  The proprietor has systems and procedures in place to ensure the school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Leaders ensure that all fire checks are routinely undertaken to maintain equipment. Risk assessments are

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Main inspection findings

pertinent. Regular fire drills will take place to ensure that everyone knows the evacuation procedures in the event of a fire.  The school has sufficient staff in place to ensure that pupils will be well supervised at all times.  Leaders have ensured that the written risk assessments and the first-aid policy are detailed and well thought out. There are appropriate plans in place to provide bespoke risk assessments for each pupil. Staff will monitor risk assessments closely and amend them as required. This will ensure that risk assessments remain fit for purpose.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18, 19, 20, 21  The single central register is in place and contains the required information relating to staff’s suitability. The range of checks, set out in the ISS, have been completed for those staff already employed. This includes the required checks on the eight members

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Main inspection findings

of the proprietor board.  Staff have appropriate experience and qualifications to support pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.  The proprietor has ensured that senior leaders are well trained in safeguarding pupils. Therefore, at least one member of any interview panel will always have up-to-date safer recruitment training.  The proprietor does not plan to use supply staff. There is a recognition by staff that pupils who attend this school need the familiarity of working with adults they already know. Nonetheless, leaders are aware of the required safeguarding checks were they to use supply staff in the future.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29  The proposed school building is a dormer bungalow located on a small industrial site in Clevedon. The proprietor has refurbished the building to a high standard. The

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Main inspection findings

ground floor has two spacious classrooms and a fully functioning kitchen, with all modern appliances. Pupils have access to drinking water from the kitchen.  The classrooms are bright and airy. There are external windows that provide natural light. There are plentiful sockets for electrical appliances such as information and communication technology equipment. Central heating radiators provide suitable heating for each room. The acoustic conditions in the building are appropriate for use as a school.  A spacious staff room, staff toilet and office are located upstairs. There is an abundance of storage space, including a secure, built-in cupboard to store examination materials. All cleaning and potential hazardous equipment is locked away securely.  A well-equipped medical room is available on the ground floor for the treatment of sick or injured pupils. The room is fitted with a sink and is located near to the toilet

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Main inspection findings

and shower facilities for pupils.  There are enough toilets for pupils. They have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water. The temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk.  The outside area is suitable for pupils’ physical activity. Appropriate external lighting is provided around the building. The site is secure.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32  The school does not propose to have a website. However, the school prospectus is clear and provides details for how parents can acquire all the information about the school. All the details required by the ISS, such as the school’s address and the name of the headteacher, are available.  Details about the backgrounds of the eight directors of the proprietor board are available.  The policies and procedures that the school are required to provide to parents are all

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Main inspection findings

available in paper copy, including the behaviour policy and details of the admission process. Leaders have plans in place for reporting to parents about pupils’ achievements while at the school.  Leaders have plans in place to show how the school will meet the needs of children looked after and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and to show how any funding will be spent.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33  The school’s complaints policy is readily available to parents. The policy is easy to read and describes the actions that parents should take if they have a complaint about the school’s work. It sets suitable time scales for the management of the complaint and the different stages of the process. There is provision for the complaint to be made and considered on an informal basis first.  There are also formal procedures. There are appropriate guidelines to ensure that any

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Main inspection findings

complaints panel has at least one member who is independent of the management of the school. The policy is clear that parents can be accompanied at a panel if they wish.  Leaders intend to keep detailed records of complaints that show how they were resolved, and the action taken as a result.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The chair of the proprietor board, who is also the head of education, has wide experience of education for pupils with SEND. Therefore, she has the necessary knowledge to provide effective challenge and support for leaders. The headteacher demonstrates the understanding necessary to ensure that all of the ISS will be met consistently over time.  Leaders have a comprehensive understanding of the safeguarding requirements for these vulnerable pupils. The board is committed to promoting the well-being of pupils

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Main inspection findings

with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. This is the fundamental reason behind their determination to set this school up.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have prepared an accessibility plan that meets the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Type of school Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £39,000 to £43,000

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Proposed school details

Email address sevenhills.headteacher@hexagoncare.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 18 11 to 18 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 12 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Girls Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable To be confirmed

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan Not applicable 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 2

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Information about this proposed school

 Seven Hills School is proposed to be a small special school, located in a detached bungalow in Clevedon, Bristol.  The school intends to cater for girls with a range of complex needs, including SEMH.  All pupils will have experienced disruption to their education, with long periods out of school due to significant trauma in their lives.  Most pupils at the school are likely to have an education, health and care plan.  Most pupils are children looked after.  The school does not plan to use any alternative providers.  The ultimate aim of the school is to enable pupils to return to mainstream education when appropriate.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department of Education during the COVID- 19 (coronavirus) pandemic of 2020.  This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection. Part of this inspection was conducted remotely.  Off site, the inspector considered a wide range of documentation relating to the curriculum, welfare, health and safety of pupils and leadership and management.  Meetings were conducted on site with the chair of the proprietor board, who is also the head of education, the headteacher and deputy head of education.  The inspector had a tour of the premises to check that they were compliant with the ISS. The inspector checked the single central register and sampled other safeguarding records.

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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 1231, 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 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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