Shaftesbury School

Progress monitoring inspection boarding report

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Shaftesbury School Shaftesbury School, Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8ER

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Context of the inspection

This monitoring visit was carried out because Ofsted has not visited this boarding school since October 2017. In addition, the inspector wanted to review concerns raised by children to Ofsted in surveys. This includes concerns about bullying, the quality of meals and Wi-Fi restrictions.

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Context of the inspection

Inspectors visited the school to meet with children and staff in person. The review of records and additional interviews took place remotely.

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Context of the inspection

Since the last inspection, a new headteacher and head of boarding have been appointed. In the short time since their appointment, they have identified areas in the boarding provision that need improving. This includes a review of the actions taken to meet the recommendations made at the last inspection in 2017, the maintenance of the boarding environment and the recording of safeguarding concerns. These improvements have been formalised into a development plan.

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Context of the inspection

In January 2021, the new senior leaders took on the responsibilities of designated safeguarding leads for the school. Since their appointment, they have identified that the current safeguarding recording system is complex and requires improvement. However, their audit of safeguarding concerns has not identified errors in records. For example, that not all records detail all actions taken and the outcome. Senior leaders have confirmed that, since their appointment, there have not been any safeguarding concerns in the boarding provision.

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Context of the inspection

Children spoken to confirmed that they feel safe, enjoy boarding, and they can identify an adult who they can speak to if they have any concerns or worries. Children confirmed that the Wi-Fi signal is good. However, they are not happy with the current restriction filters in place. Senior leaders are aware of this and are reviewing the appropriateness of sites that children have asked to access. Children said that incidents of bullying in the boarding provision are rare and that, when they do occur, the boarding staff take immediate action. Leaders and managers have taken appropriate action to address bullying behaviour. Children told the inspectors that, overall, the quality of food has improved. However, in their view, further improvement is required to the choices available. Inspection Report Shaftesbury School, 03/03/2021 Page 2 of 5 Consultation meetings with children are not used effectively and require improvement.

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Context of the inspection

They do not take place regularly and children’s attendance is varied. Records of these meetings are not of a good quality. They do not consistently detail discussions held, the actions taken or the outcome.

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Context of the inspection

Senior leaders know that the current maintenance provision is insufficient to address the maintenance issues in the boarding provision. A tour of the boarding house identified that limited work has been completed to meet the recommendations raised at the last inspection in 2017. The head of boarding has recently compiled a development plan to address essential works. This plan has been presented to senior leaders for authorisation.

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Context of the inspection

In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, staffing bubbles were formed in the boarding provision. As a result, children benefit from being cared for by a small and consistent team of staff. Positive recognition of how the school has managed the pandemic was confirmed by parents who contributed to this monitoring visit. Most parents commented positively on how well the boarding staff communicate with them and said that their child enjoys boarding.

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schools:

 Boarding houses and other accommodation provided for children is appropriately lit, heated and ventilated, cleaned and maintained, and reasonable adjustments are made to provide adequate accessible accommodation for any children with restricted mobility. (National minimum standard 5.4)  The records specified in Appendix 2 are maintained and monitored by the school and action taken as appropriate. (National minimum standard 13.8)  Children are actively encouraged to contribute views to the operation of boarding provision, are able to raise concerns and make complaints, and their views are given appropriate weight in decisions about the running of the school. Children are not penalised for raising a concern or making a complaint in good faith. (National minimum standard 17.1) Inspection Report Shaftesbury School, 03/03/2021 Page 3 of 5

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Inspection team

Sharron Escott Lead Social Care Inspector Wendy Anderson Social Care Inspector

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Information about this school

Shaftesbury School is a co-educational academy catering for approximately 1000 students aged 11 to 18 years. At the time of the inspection, the school had 66 children, the majority being international students. The children are accommodated at Barton Hill House which is situated a short walk from the main school site. The school is located in Shaftesbury, Dorset. The last inspection of the boarding provision took place in May 2017. Inspection Report Shaftesbury School, 03/03/2021 Page 4 of 5

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School details

Unique reference number 140898 Social care unique reference number SC042320 DfE registration number 838/4511

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School details

This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

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School details

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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School details

Type of school Boarding School Number of children on roll 104 Gender of children Mixed Age range of children 11 to 18 Headteacher Donna London-Hill Date of previous boarding inspection 16/05/2017 Telephone number 01747 854498 Email address office@shaftesburyschool.co.uk Inspection Report Shaftesbury School, 03/03/2021 Page 5 of 5 guidance ‘Raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.co.uk/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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School details

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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School details

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.co.uk/ofsted

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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