Quay View School

Quay View School Bere Alston, Yelverton, Devon, PL20 7EX

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and (b), 11, 14 and 16, 16(a) and (b)  The Department for Education commissioned this inspection because of concerns about safeguarding and pupils’ welfare. The proprietor has invested heavily to increase both the number and capacity of the staff team. This has ensured that staff have the knowledge and resources they need to keep pupils safe.  The designated safeguarding lead and her deputy have been appointed since the previous inspection. Both have considerable knowledge and expertise in safeguarding practice. Leaders ensure that staff are well trained to know the risks pupils may face, to identify indicators of harm and to understand reporting procedures.  Since the previous inspection, many teachers have left. The proprietor has replaced them and appointed additional teachers. This has ensured that there is sufficient capacity and expertise to manage pupils’ behaviour without the need for physical

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Main inspection findings

intervention. Teachers now use physical intervention infrequently.  The school’s safeguarding policy was updated in September 2020 and reflects the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Leaders have included an addendum to reflect how the school is responding during the national restrictions during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The policy is published on the school’s website.  Staff use an online reporting system to record safeguarding concerns and track actions. Leaders follow up any concerns swiftly and involve other agencies, as necessary. However, some records lack the detail they need. This limits their usefulness to school leaders to ensure best practice.  The proprietor uses a filtering system to prevent pupils from accessing inappropriate material on the internet. Leaders have introduced a programme to teach pupils how to stay safe online. Discussions with pupils showed that they are very aware of the

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Main inspection findings

risks and know how to act safely online.  Leaders are alert to pupils’ health, safety and welfare. The school’s pastoral team, including therapists, ensure that pupils’ welfare is prioritised. The proprietor’s health and safety policy complies with legislation and is implemented effectively.  There is a high ratio of staff to pupils. This means that pupils are supervised effectively.  The risk assessment policy is fit for purpose. Suitable risk assessments are in place for individual pupils, the site and activities. They identify the hazards, such as pupils’ allergies, and the mitigations to reduce likelihood of harm and are regularly updated.  The standards inspected in this part continue to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33  The school’s complaints procedure includes all of the required aspects. Leaders aim for complaints to be resolved at an informal stage. Where the complainant remains

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Main inspection findings

dissatisfied, there is both a formal stage and, subsequently, an independent review panel. The procedure makes clear that parents have the right to be accompanied at a panel hearing.  The complaints log includes the detail of the complaint, the stage at which it was resolved and the outcome. Leaders retain details of each complaint, any investigations and any actions taken as a result. These show that where complaints are lodged, they are investigated, and the findings shared with the complainant.  The standard in this part continues to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The proprietor and school-based leaders have ensured that the independent school standards continue to be met. Leaders have put effective arrangements in place so that pupils’ welfare is promoted well.  The proprietor has responded to the findings of the previous inspection. Increased staffing levels, including at senior leadership level, is adding capacity to effect positive

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Main inspection findings

change. There has been some investment in the premises, and more is planned.  The operations director undertakes weekly reviews with senior leaders. She also carries out termly checks against the independent school standards and involves specialists, such as health and safety advisers, from within the wider Priory Group. External specialists have been involved when necessary. Leaders are taking swift and appropriate action to tackle any areas for improvement identified by these specialists.  The standard in this part continues to be 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

School status 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 7

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School details

Proprietor Priory Education and Children’s Services

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £65,000–£95,000

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School details

Website www.priorychildrensservices.co.uk

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School details

Email address QuayViewSchoolinfo@priorygroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 12–14 June 2018

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Information about this school

 Quay View School is operated by Priory Education and Children’s Services. The proprietor also operates children’s homes and other independent special schools.  The school is located in a remote setting on the banks of the River Tamar, five miles south-west of Tavistock, Devon, PL20 7EX.  The school provides education for pupils who have complex needs, such as autism spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan and are placed at the school by their respective local authority.  The previous standard inspection of the school was carried out in June 2018, when the school was judged to require improvement.  The school uses an alternative provider, South West Intervention Services, to provide mentoring and teaching to a small number of pupils.  At the time of inspection, there were 33 pupils on roll. This exceeds the registered capacity of the school. A number of older pupils have been unable to move to new

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Information about this school

settings as a result of the national restrictions due to COVID-19. As a result, these pupils continue to attend school or access their education remotely.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out 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.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and the designated safeguarding lead. The inspector also met with the operations director, who is head of governance for the school, members of staff and pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector carried out a tour of the site and observed pupils in lessons and at break times.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation, including policies, safeguarding, health and safety and behaviour records, and complaints.

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Inspection team

Iain Freeland, 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 4234, 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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