Woodbury School

Woodbury School Hellier Road, Wolverhampton WV10 8ED

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school has an up-to-date safeguarding policy that is informed by the government’s most recent guidance. It includes an addendum that sets out the safety measures in place because of COVID-19 (coronavirus). A copy of the policy is published on the school’s website.  Staff report that they receive regular updates about safeguarding and know what to do if they have a concern about any aspect of school life. Pupils, too, say that they would feel confident to tell an adult at school if something was worrying them.  School records show that any concerns about pupils’ safety are followed up and recorded properly. When necessary, the school involves the appropriate external agencies to make sure that any incidents and/or allegations are dealt with thoroughly.  These standards remain met. Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 14  The school’s behaviour policy and associated policies for promoting positive

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Main inspection findings

behaviours are fit for purpose. Staff understand expectations and respond to pupils’ behaviour in consistent ways. They have been trained in the use of physical restraint and leaders make sure any instances are recorded and followed up correctly.  Pupils say that staff treat them fairly and they understand the school’s rules. They can talk about the sanctions and rewards that staff use, and how these help them to manage and improve their behaviour.  During this inspection, pupils were supervised at all times. Pupils and staff report that this is usually the case. Most rooms are kept locked to prevent anyone from wandering in, but all rooms can be opened from the inside.  These standards remain met. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(c)  The school completes and keeps appropriate risk assessments. For example, when using the school kitchen or workshop there are documented procedures to follow. Staff and pupils both say that they have to wear safety equipment when using

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Main inspection findings

machinery. This equipment is clearly visible on site. Pupils cannot enter the workshop or the kitchen without an adult because the doors are kept locked.  Fire safety measures work as they should. Fire exits are kept clear, fire drills and alarm tests happen frequently and a professional contractor checks fire safety arrangements. Other health and safety routines are in place to make sure the site remains well maintained, secure and safe.  The school’s health and safety procedures and risk assessments give no cause for concern.  These standards remain met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii),

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Main inspection findings

20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a) and 21(7)(b)  The school maintains a single central register of employment checks on staff. It is informed by the required information and also records the receipt of references. Staff’s files are kept in a locked cabinet in an office. No one can start work at the school until all the required checks are complete.  The proprietor has checked that staff are not subject to any orders that prohibit them from teaching or holding a management position in a school.  These standards remain met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The premises are well maintained. Rooms used by pupils for different activities are fit

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Main inspection findings

for purpose, with appropriate lighting and furniture. There is adequate space for pupils to work, socialise and move around. A site manager is on hand to attend to any routine maintenance matters. On the day of the inspection, the site was clean, tidy and secure.  These standards remain met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)  This inspection was prompted by concerns sent to the Department for Education (DfE). Consequently, these concerns were considered during the inspection. Leaders were already aware of the concerns raised because they have received other similar anonymous complaints. They have investigated the allegations and, where necessary, involved other agencies, including placing local authorities and the health and safety executive. During this inspection, information from different agencies was considered alongside actions taken by the school. It is clear that the school has followed the

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Main inspection findings

correct procedures and involved the right people at the right time.  The proprietor, Horizon Care and Education Ltd, brings a constructive level of challenge and support to the school’s work. Senior staff work well with school leaders and are attentive to pupils’ education, welfare and safety.  Staff who spoke with the inspector were confident that leaders make decisions in the best interests of pupils.  This inspection did not find any concerns. All the independent school standards that were checked as part of this inspection continue to be met.  These standards remain 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. 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 2

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School details

Proprietor Horizon Care and Education Group Ltd

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School details

Email address enquiries@horizoncare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25–27 September 2018

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Information about this school

 Woodbury School is one of a group of schools run by Horizon Care and Education Group Ltd. It was first registered by the DfE in February 2018.  The school provides full-time education for pupils between the ages of seven and 18 and is registered to accommodate up to 42 pupils. It operates from a self-contained building, standing within its own grounds, in Wolverhampton, West Midlands.  Pupils are referred to the school by local authorities. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  Pupils attending the school typically have a range of social, emotional and mental health difficulties and a history of interrupted schooling due to exclusion. Many pupils have been out of education for a significant period of time.  The school aims to meet the individual, personal, social and emotional learning needs of pupils by developing their self-esteem and teaching them to make appropriate choices. The aim is to enable pupils to reintegrate into school or continue into further

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Information about this school

education and employment.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provider called Nova Training.  The school’s last standard inspection was in September 2018, when it was judged to be good. The school had an emergency inspection in December 2019.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspection was prompted by information received by the DfE that raised concerns about safeguarding, behaviour and the welfare and safety of pupils and staff at the school. These concerns were considered during this inspection.  The inspection was carried out with no notice and lasted one day.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and other staff. He also spoke with pupils and looked at school policies and records. In addition, the inspector spoke with the managing director of Horizon Care and Education Group Ltd, a Sandwell local authority safeguarding officer and the head of children’s strategy and partnerships at Wolverhampton local authority.  The inspector examined the single central register of employment checks on staff and other documents related to safeguarding. He also considered information contained in

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Information about this inspection

anonymous complaints sent to the school and the actions taken by school leaders and other organisations in response.  Before the inspection, the inspector checked the school’s website and looked at information on the internet.

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Inspection team

Martin Pye, 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

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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