Leaways School

Leaways School 18 Theydon Road, Clapton, London E5 9NZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date and follows the latest statutory guidance. It is published on the school’s website.  Leaders make sure that staff understand how to report concerns about a pupil’s welfare. Staff are well trained in safeguarding matters. They meet regularly with leaders to discuss all aspects of pupils’ welfare.  There is a strong culture of safeguarding in the school. Staff are vigilant and prioritise pupils’ well-being.  Pupils feel safe and secure throughout the school day, including during off-site walks to the local park. The curriculum, including for personal, social, health and economic education, includes opportunities for pupils to learn about safety, relationships and keeping themselves safe from harm. For example, pupils understand how to keep themselves safe online and how to report any concerns or worries they have.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c)  Concerns were raised about the management of pupils’ behaviour. This inspection found that the school’s behaviour policy is implemented consistently. Pupils say that staff treat them fairly. They feel that the system of rewards and sanctions is applied consistently throughout the school. For example, in all classes, pupils earn ‘respect points’ for following the school’s rules and showing kindness and respect to others.  Throughout the school, staff manage pupils’ behaviour positively. Staff know pupils well. They speak with parents and carers on a daily basis to discuss pupils’ well-being and celebrate their achievements from the day.  Leaders keep records of all incidents. Staff use individual behaviour plans, which explain the strategies that work well for each pupil in order to manage any incidents. Staff know the ‘triggers’ for each pupil and how these might affect pupils’ behaviour.

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Main inspection findings

Staff review pupils’ behaviour plans regularly and make changes to these when circumstances change. Paragraph 11  Concerns had been raised about health and safety procedures.  This inspection found that leaders ensure that an appropriate health and safety policy is in place and implemented effectively. The proprietor ensures that all health and safety matters are checked on a regular basis. Procedures are in place to identify, manage and follow-up any health and safety issues. Paragraph 14  Concerns were also raised around the supervision of pupils. During the inspection, pupils were well supervised throughout the day. In lessons, at breaktimes and on walks to and from the local park, adults supervise pupils well to keep them safe.  Staff supervision is proportionate and appropriate for different age groups and activities. Paragraph 16(a) and 16(b)  The school’s risk assessment policy is comprehensive and covers all aspects of the

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Main inspection findings

school’s work. The proprietor body employs a group health and safety leader who checks that risk assessments are in place, suitable and implemented consistently.  Leaders use a range of risk assessments, including dynamic assessments, to keep staff, pupils and visitors safe. Leaders take action to rectify any hazards that are identified through the school’s daily and weekly site maintenance checks.  Staff use risk assessments for individual pupils. These identify the specific needs of each pupil and the actions that should be taken in order to keep pupils safe. These are particularly useful for specific activities, a change in routine or staffing, or during visits off site for physical education.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b) and 23(1)(c)  Concerns had been raised about the availability and use of toilets for staff and pupils. This inspection found that there are separate toilet facilities for staff and pupils. These are clearly labelled as such. Boys’ and girls’ toilets are also labelled accordingly.  Although the school has its own gym and boxing area, it usually uses off-site venues for physical education. At these venues, shower facilities are available to pupils. In- school toilet and changing facilities are suitable. Paragraph 25  Concerns had been raised about the maintenance of the site.  The group health and safety lead, together with the group’s quality improvement lead, oversee the school’s health and safety matters. They make sure that any hazards identified around the school are rectified. Procedures are in place to routinely check

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Main inspection findings

the school site to make sure it is safe. An ongoing programme of refurbishments is underway, including installation of secondary glazing to the windows throughout the school.  The site manager and headteacher meet regularly to discuss the school building and facilities. At these meetings, they identify and manage any issues to ensure safety. For example, they have recently ordered replacement fixtures to install new door closers and handles.  The standards in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders ensure that the independent school standards are met consistently. There are clear lines of accountability in place to make sure that company and school policies and procedures are followed.  The proprietor’s quality improvement lead works closely with the headteacher to ensure that the school continues to improve. The headteacher is well supported by representatives from the different committees within the proprietor group. These representatives hold leaders to account for what happens in school, including compliance with the independent school standards.  A termly programme of audits is in place. These audits identify strengths and areas for improvement across all aspects of the school’s work. Strong mechanisms are in place to follow up any issues that are identified.  Leaders at all levels put the safety, welfare and needs of pupils at the forefront of all

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Main inspection findings

decisions that are taken in school.  The standards in this part are 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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 9–11 October 2018

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Information about this school

 Leaways is an independent special school which is located in Clapton, within the London Borough of Hackney.  The school is part of the Kedleston Group Ltd. The school is overseen by a board of directors, led by the chief executive officer. The headteacher took up his post in December 2020, having been previously the head of school.  All pupils have education, health and care plans. Most pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs. Some have additional diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder.  Pupils are placed at Leaways from a number of local authorities.  The school does not currently make use of alternative providers.  The school’s most recent full standard inspection took place in October 2018. A material change inspection took place in April 2019.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to look at the wider issues related to a complaint they had received. The inspector was asked to look specifically at the independent school standards in parts 3 and 5 of the regulations related to safeguarding, toilet facilities, health and safety, risk assessments, behaviour and supervision. The inspector was also asked to check the school’s compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspection was conducted without notice. The inspector contacted the school by telephone shortly before his arrival because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions in place at the time of the inspection.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher, chief executive officer, quality improvement lead and leaders responsible for safeguarding. The inspector met a group of teaching and support staff.  The inspector met formally with three groups of pupils and spoke informally with

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Information about this inspection

pupils in lessons. The inspector had a tour of the school with the headteacher and visited classrooms.  The inspector looked at documentation related to health and safety, risk assessments and safeguarding. The inspector reviewed the school’s policies and procedures to check compliance with the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Gary Rawlings, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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