Fairfield House School

School material change inspection report

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Fairfield House School 57-59 Warburton Road, Partington, Manchester M31 4NL

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that the school’s safeguarding policy is appropriate and follows the most recent government guidance. The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website.  Staff receive regular and appropriate safeguarding training and updates on areas such as child sexual exploitation. This means that staff know how to recognise signs of abuse. Safeguarding training includes a consideration of the particular vulnerabilities of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Paragraph 11  There is a written health and safety policy in place. It links to a range of policies covering welfare, health and safety. These policies ensure that the welfare of staff and pupils is protected. Leaders undertake regular checks to identify any health and safety concerns. They plan to extend these checks to ensure the health and safety of the

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Main inspection findings

proposed increased number of pupils. Paragraph 14  The proprietor has ensured that the number of staff is appropriate so that pupils are very closely supervised throughout the school day. Teaching and learning takes place with a minimum of one member of staff working with each pupil. The levels of supervision during breaktimes are the same as those during lessons.  There are plans to increase staffing if the material change is granted. This is to ensure that similarly high levels of supervision are available should the school increase its number of pupils. Paragraph 16  The proprietor has ensured that there is a written risk assessment policy in place. This provides a suitable framework for protecting pupils from risk. Appropriate risk assessments are carried out for a range of activities, for example visits to the community and to the school’s farm. In addition, leaders regularly update each pupil’s

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Main inspection findings

personal risk assessment.  Leaders plan to develop personal risk assessments for any pupils joining the school.  The proprietor has ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1), 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(2)(f), 18(3), 18(4), 18(4)(a), 18(4)(b), 18(4)(c), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 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(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  The proprietor ensures that the required checks on the suitability of staff to work with pupils are completed. The record of such checks on current staff is kept as a secure

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Main inspection findings

electronic document and is complete.  Leaders involved in appointing staff have had appropriate training. This ensures that safe procedures are followed in the recruitment process.  Leaders do not use supply staff. They are aware of the required checks on the suitability of supply staff should they be used in the future.  Leaders propose to undertake the required checks on the suitability of any new staff that they employ.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 21(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 23(2), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c), 24(2), 24(3)  The premises across the school’s two sites are large enough to accommodate the proposed new maximum number of 12 pupils. There is space in the existing classrooms to meet this increase. In addition, much of the pupils’ learning takes place

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Main inspection findings

in the community, such as understanding bus timetables and using money in shops.  At both sites, there are suitable toilet facilities for pupils, including for those who have disabilities. Toilets are well maintained and are lockable from the inside. There are an adequate number of toilets for the proposed increase in the number of pupils.  There is a wet room with shower at the main school site for pupils’ use.  There are medical rooms on both sites which are appropriately equipped and adjacent to a toilet. Both contain a bed and bedding, a first-aid kit and a basin with running hot and cold water.  The school has a well-equipped sensory room to meet pupils’ therapy needs. This is suitable for use by existing pupils and proposed new pupils. Paragraphs 25, 26  The school buildings are well maintained. They are clean, tidy and free from clutter. All parts of the accommodation on each site have appropriate acoustics, heating and

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Main inspection findings

ventilation. Paragraph 27, 27(a), 27(b)  Classrooms and other areas have suitable light. External lighting is provided at both sites to ensure that people can enter and leave the building safely during the hours of darkness. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Leaders have ensured that bottled drinking water is always available for existing pupils. It will be readily available for proposed new pupils.  There is an appropriate supply of hot and cold water for handwashing. The hot water is at a suitable temperature and will not pose a scalding risk. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The outdoor area at each site is suitable for play. The space is also sufficient for the proposed increase in the number of pupils.  The outdoor space is suitable for the provision of the physical education (PE) curriculum. The provision of some PE takes place using a range of facilities in the

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Main inspection findings

community. Leaders propose that this PE provision will be available for new pupils.  The proprietor maintains the premises to an acceptable standard. The school’s policies on risk assessment, health and safety are implemented effectively.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards.  Leaders actively promote the health, safety and well-being of pupils. They have ensured that the provision in place is suitable for the proposed increased number of pupils.  Leaders have ensured that all the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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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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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25 to 27 February 2020

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 25 8 to 25 8 to 25

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 8 12 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 8 12 Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 8 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 8 12

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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 8 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 1

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 0 Not applicable

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Information about this school

 The school received its last standard inspection on 25 to 27 February 2020.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned Ofsted to carry out this inspection because the proprietor applied to make a material change to the school’s registration. The proprietor requested an increase in the maximum pupil capacity from eight to 12.  The school caters for pupils with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties.  This was the school’s first material change inspection in respect of this proposed increase in the maximum pupil capacity.  An inspector met with the headteacher and with the assistant proprietor. She undertook a tour of the school premises including those parts situated on the school’s farm. She analysed a wide range of documents, including those relating to safeguarding and matters of health and safety. In addition, the inspector examined the school’s record of pre-employment checks on staff and the proprietor.

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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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Inspection team

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