International Stanborough School

School and boarding emergency inspection report

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International Stanborough School Stanborough Park, Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 9JT

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checked during this inspection

Boarding provision outcome The school does not meet all of the

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b) Paragraph 8, 8(a), 8(b) National minimum standard 11.1 National minimum standard 13.7  These independent school standards and national minimum standards relate to the safeguarding of pupils/boarders at the school.  The arrangements to safeguard pupils/boarders are ineffective.  The child protection policy is on the school’s website as required and therefore meets the independent school standard contained in paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c). However, the policy is out of date, even though this was pointed out to leaders at the inspection of the boarding provision, 27 February to 1 March 2019. Some information in the policy is either misleading or unhelpful. The link to Hertfordshire’s local authority information for safeguarding pupils does not work. The index does not match the contents of the policy. There is a reference to children below the age of eight years

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Main inspection findings

(the school caters for children from the age of 11 years) and there is a reference to the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI); the school is not inspected by ISI.  The safeguarding policy has some helpful information for identifying potential abuse and how to refer concerns to the designated leaders and the designated governor for child protection, and Hertfordshire local authority. However, the policy has not been followed appropriately, which means that pupils/boarders are at risk of harm. Allegations concerning members of staff and concerns about pupils/boarders have not been passed on to the designated safeguarding leaders (DSLs) and local authority officers quickly enough.  At the time of the inspection of the boarding provision, on 27 February to 1 March 2019, the DSLs did not have up-to-date training as required by statutory guidance. Action has been taken to ensure that the senior DSL has accessed appropriate

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Main inspection findings

training. The two deputy DSLs are now booked on training but at the time of this emergency inspection have not yet attended. Therefore, the training remains out of timescale and the national minimum standard remains unmet.  The safeguarding lead stated that there had been no further safeguarding concerns for pupils/boarders since the previous inspection of the boarding provision. A new system to record concerns has been introduced. It is not possible to assess the effectiveness of the new system as it has yet to be used.  Leaders have not paid enough attention to the security of the site.  Some of the requirements for the admission register, the recruitment of staff and risk assessments are not met, as outlined in the sections below. These shortfalls put pupils/boarders at risk of harm.  The two independent school standards are not met.  The two national minimum standards are not met. Paragraph 15

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Main inspection findings

 This independent school standard is about the registers for pupils’ admissions and attendance.  The admissions register does not show the destinations for pupils who have left the school. One pupil left the school a while ago, but the information is not on the admissions register.  Staff inform Hertfordshire local authority when most, but not all, pupils are taken off roll.  The independent school standard is not met. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  This independent school standard is about risk assessments.  Identified risks are not addressed quickly enough. A risk assessment has been started for the science laboratories and some action taken to make the chemistry laboratory safer. The safety cut-off points for gas and electricity are more clearly identified than previously but are not as accessible as they should be.  The risks relating to site security are not suitably assessed or addressed.  The independent school standard is not met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(3) Paragraph 21(1), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)  These independent school standards are about the making and recording of employment checks.  The school’s safer recruitment policy is out of date and has not been followed for the most recent appointment. The school’s policy quite appropriately says that staff will check employment history and obtain independent professional and character references, but these things were not done.  For one member of staff, the checks for the right to work in the United Kingdom were not checked thoroughly to ensure accuracy.  Details of the checks made for one member of staff were not on the single central record.  The checks for governors are not recorded accurately on the single central register, although the relevant checks have been made.

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Main inspection findings

 These independent school standards are not met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(b)  This independent school standard is about suitable accommodation for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils.  The medical room does not have a washing facility and is not close enough to a toilet.  This independent school standard is not met. Paragraph 25 National minimum standard 5.4  This independent school standard and the national minimum standard are about the condition and maintenance of the accommodation and premises.  At the time of the inspection of the boarding provision, 27 February to 1 March 2019, the accommodation was not maintained to an acceptable standard.  The boarding accommodation remains poor quality. One room has been renovated since the inspection. This has been done to a high standard. The intention is to renovate all rooms in this style. However, in the meantime other rooms remain unwelcoming, with damaged doors, damaged walls and in one room, a broken

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Main inspection findings

window. The hallway carpets are damaged and stained. Hallway walls have numerous cracks in them.  In contrast to the boarding accommodation, classrooms are clean, tidy and well maintained.  The floor covering in corridors is in poor condition in some places and constitutes trip hazards.  As mentioned above, the risks around the site and in the science rooms have not been sufficiently addressed to ensure the health and safety of pupils/boarders.  The independent school standard is not met.  The national minimum standard remains unmet.

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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), 34(1)(c) National minimum standard 13.7  This independent school standard and national minimum standard are about the leadership and management of the school.  This emergency inspection was triggered by concerns raised at the inspection of the boarding provision, 27 February to 1 March 2019. At that time, all aspects of the boarding provision were judged as inadequate and two of the national minimum standards were not met.  Since the previous standard inspection of the school, in November 2017 when all the independent school standards were met, leaders have not made sure that arrangements to safeguard pupils/boarders are effective. Nine independent school standards, which all relate to aspects of pupils’/boarders’ welfare, health and safety, are now not met.  The independent school standard is not met.  The national minimum standard is not met.

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Main inspection findings

Boarding provision The overall experience and progress of children  Leaders and proprietors have not acted with sufficient urgency to address the inadequacies identified at the most recent inspection of the boarding provision. The national minimum standards remain unmet and an additional standard is now not met because, since the previous inspection, leaders have not acted to update the child protection policy.  Boarders continue to report feeling safe. They say they can talk to staff if they have a concern.  The acting headteacher has developed an action plan in response to the findings of the recent inspection of the boarding provision. The plan is brief. The actions identified in the plan have yet to be evaluated.

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standards for boarding schools

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’), the national minimum standards for boarding schools and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

Social care unique reference number SC019554

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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. The inspection of boarding provision 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

School status Independent boarding 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 0

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School details

Headteacher Eileen Hussey (acting headteacher)

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School details

Website http://stanborough.international/

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21–23 November 2017

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Information about this school

 International Stanborough School is registered with the Department for Education (DfE) as a boarding school with a religious ethos: Seventh Day Adventists. The maximum number to admit is 100. Over recent years, the number on roll has been less than 20 at any one time. Some pupils/boarders are at the school for a whole academic year and others for around five months.  International Stanborough School operates within Stanborough School, with the same leadership team, staff team, proprietorial body, premises and accommodation, including the boarding provision. The schools are registered separately with the DfE as independent schools and are owned by the British Union Conference of Seventh Day Adventists. The schools are open to pupils of all faiths and none. Stanborough School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).  In addition to the two secondary schools, the proprietor also owns and runs the

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Information about this school

adjacent Stanborough Primary School, which is registered separately with the DfE as an independent school.  The school provides for pupils/boarders who come from abroad and are learning to speak English. Pupils/boarders come from diverse cultural backgrounds.  The boarding house is situated in one wing of the main school building, accommodating boys on one floor and girls on another. The boarding provision can accommodate 70 students in 29 bedrooms.  The school does not use alternative provision.  The school’s most recent inspection of education was on 21–23 November 2017. The school was judged as good and all the independent school standards were met.  The most recent inspection of the boarding provision was on 27 February to 1 March 2019, when all aspects of the provision were judged inadequate and two of the national minimum standards for boarding schools were not met.  The headteacher left the school in October 2018. The school is currently led by an

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Information about this school

acting headteacher.  The school’s previous inspection history: – In November 2005, following the school’s registration with the DfE on 10 February 2005, Ofsted conducted the first standard inspection of the school. – In May 2009, Ofsted conducted a standard inspection of the school, integrated with an inspection of the boarding provision. The quality of education and the quality of the boarding provision were judged as satisfactory. Four of the independent school standards were not met. Thirteen of the national minimum standards for boarding provision were not met. – In November 2012, Ofsted conducted a standard inspection of the school, integrated with an inspection of the boarding provision. The quality of education and the quality of the boarding provision were judged as satisfactory. All the independent school standards were met. Two of the national minimum standards for boarding schools were not met.

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Information about this school

– On 2 July 2013, Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection for the boarding provision and judged that one of the national minimum standards was not met. – In October 2015, Ofsted conducted a standard inspection of the school, integrated with an inspection of the boarding provision. The school was judged as inadequate, including the overall experiences and progress of children and young people. – The DfE required the proprietor to provide an action plan for the independent school standards not met at the 2015 inspection. Ofsted evaluated the plan in February 2016. – On 15–17 June 2016, Ofsted conducted a full inspection of the boarding provision. At that time, the overall experiences and progress of children and young people were judged good and three of the national minimum standards for boarding schools were not met. – On 21 June 2016, Ofsted conducted a progress monitoring inspection of the education provision at the school and judged that the independent school

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Information about this school

standards not met at the June 2016 inspection had been addressed and were met. – On 13 January 2017, Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection for the boarding provision and judged that the three national minimum standards for boarding schools not met at the June 2016 inspection had been addressed and were met.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE following the concerns raised at the most recent inspection of the boarding provision. The concerns were about inadequate arrangements to safeguard boarders.  This emergency inspection was unannounced.  Inspectors toured the premises and accommodation for education and boarding.  Inspectors met with the acting headteacher, the head of boarding, a senior leader, the bursar/business manager, staff responsible for admissions and staff recruitment, and the chair of the governing body.  Inspectors spoke with the eight pupils/boarders.  A telephone discussion was held with the chair of the proprietorial body.  Inspectors scrutinised a range of information relating to pupils’/boarders’ welfare, health and safety, including the policies and procedures for child protection and the recruitment of staff, the single central register of employment checks, training for

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Information about this inspection

staff, personnel files, risk assessments, the admissions register and the school’s action plan.

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Inspection team

Heather Yaxley, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Ashley Hinson Social Care Regulatory Inspector

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Inspection team

Ricky D’Arcy Social Care Regulatory Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  8 Where section 87(1) of the 1989 Act [11] applies in relation to a school the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 8(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of boarders while they are accommodated at the school; and – 8(b) such arrangements have regard to the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools or, where applicable, the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools or the National Minimum Standards for Accommodation of Students under Eighteen by Further Education Colleges.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 18(2)(c) the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person- – 18(2)(c)(i) the person’s identity; – 18(2)(c)(iii) the person’s right to work in the United Kingdom; – and in the light of the information from the checks referred to in the paragraphs (c) to (f) the proprietor considers that the person is suitable for the position appointed.  18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub- paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(4) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation to each member of staff in post on 1st August 2007 who was appointed at any time before 1st May

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

2007, whether each check referred to in sub-paragraph (3) was made and whether an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained, together with the date on which any check was completed or certificate obtained.  21(5) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation to supply staff- – 21(5)(a) whether written notification has been received from the employment business that- – 21(5)(a)(i) checks corresponding to in sub-paragraph (3)(a)(i) to (iv), (vi) and (vii) have been made to the extent relevant to any such person; and – 21(5)(a)(ii) an enhanced criminal record check has been made and that it or another employment business has obtained an enhanced criminal record certificate in response to such a check, – together with the date the written notification that each check was made, or certificate obtained, was received; – 21(5)(c) where written notification has been received from the employment

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

business in accordance with a contract or other arrangements referred to in paragraph 19(2)(d) that it has obtained an advanced criminal record certificate, whether the employment business supplied a copy of the certificate to the school.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including- – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility.  25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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boarding schools

 Boarding houses and other accommodation provided for boarders are appropriately lit, heated and ventilated, cleaned and maintained, and reasonable adjustments are made to provide adequate accessible accommodation for any boarder with restricted mobility (NMS 5.4).  The school ensures that: – arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by The Secretary of State (NMS 11.1).  The school follows and maintains the child protection policy (NMS 13.7). 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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boarding schools

Parent View 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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boarding schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visitwww.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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boarding schools

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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boarding schools

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boarding schools

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boarding schools

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