Lavender Field School

School material change inspection report

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Lavender Field School, Lincoln House, Samuel Street, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 3AE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  The school’s detailed safeguarding policy is compliant. The policy is available from the school’s website. It is based on procedures that are already used effectively in the school. Appropriate systems are in place for recording any safeguarding concerns. These procedures will be suitable if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted.  The safeguarding team in the school has experience of developing effective welfare provision. Staff receive a wide range of training linked to safeguarding and welfare. Additionally, they are suitably trained in the behaviour management of pupils. This ensures that they understand how to keep pupils safe. Leaders plan to follow the established induction procedures already in place to recruit new staff. Paragraph 11, 12, 14, 16  The school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

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Main inspection findings

2005. Leaders ensure that regular fire audits and fire-risk assessments are carried out. Any issues that are identified are remedied quickly. For example, the plan of the fire escape route and fire exit signage have been revised and are clearly displayed near the proposed new classrooms.  Leaders intend to have high staff-to-pupil ratios. Leaders intend numbers of pupils to grow gradually. Staffing levels will then increase accordingly. The planned staff numbers would be appropriate to ensure suitable supervision of pupils if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted.  There is a written health and safety policy in place. This complies with relevant legislation. Leaders have created systems to record health and safety checks. These will be routinely evaluated by leaders.  The written risk assessment policy clearly outlines the responsibilities of staff and leaders. The detailed risk assessments explain the measures to take to identify and

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Main inspection findings

minimise potential risks to pupils’ welfare. This includes the new classrooms and other areas of the school that it is proposed are used for the increased number of pupils.  The proprietor body has ensured that all the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17, 18, 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(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 19(4), 20(1), 20(2), 20(3), 20(3)(a), 20(3)(a)(i), 20(3)(a)(ii), 20(5), 20(5)(a), 20(5)(a)(i), 20(5)(a)(ii), 20(5)(b), 20(5)(b)(i), 20(5)(b)(ii), 20(5)(b)(iii), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c)  The appointment of staff is carried out in accordance with statutory guidance. The single central record is already in place, and includes ‘critical friends’, proprietors and staff. It contains all the required information, including whether any adults are subject to prohibition orders.  The proprietor body has ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  There is a suitable amount of classroom space for the intended number of pupils. There are four new classrooms alongside existing classrooms. The new area, located within the existing building, includes an office for staff and retreat rooms for pupils to use.  The classrooms are well ventilated and both lighting and acoustics are suitable. Classrooms are appropriate for the requirements of the intended curriculum. Leaders have paid attention to pupils’ welfare and safety within the new area to be used. The new classrooms have been finished to a high standard.  Drinking water is clearly labelled and is available throughout the building and near the new classrooms. Washing facilities are also available close to the learning areas. The

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Main inspection findings

temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk.  There are sufficient toilets and showering facilities close to the proposed new classrooms. These are suitable for the proposed increase in numbers.  There is sufficient outside space for pupils to play safely at breaktimes. It is also large enough for pupils to take part in physical education (PE). The use of two playgrounds and the rota system in operation mean that this is suitable for the proposed number of pupils. There is a park opposite the school, and local sports centres that are used for PE. Leaders have appropriate risk assessments in place to ensure the safety of pupils travelling to and from the centres, and while they are inside the centres.  The proprietor body has ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be 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), 34(1)(c)  Leaders are experienced in managing similar types of school. They have significant educational experience and a successful track record in providing education for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have a strong understanding of the standards and other requirements of the Department for Education (DfE) when running a school, as they have already fulfilled them successfully at this and other schools.  Leaders have the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure that established policies provide for the safety and welfare of pupils, including the proposed increase in numbers.  The proprietor body has ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has in place an appropriate accessibility plan. Leaders have ensured that the requirements under Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to be met.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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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

Proprietor Sarah Deaville and Amy Hopkin

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £45,500 to £73,500

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School details

Email address tbeales@lavenderfieldschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 29 June to 1 July 2021

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 19 5 to 19 5 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 50 100 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 50 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 50 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 50 100

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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 50 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 17

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this school

 The school caters for up to 50 mixed-gender pupils aged five to 19 years. The school is an independent special school that caters for pupils with SEND, of which some will be children looked after by the local authority.  The school provides for pupils with complex social, emotional and mental health needs, autism spectrum disorder and/or cognitive and learning difficulties. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The directors are also directors of three other registered independent schools.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to evaluate the school’s application for a material change. The proprietor wishes to increase the maximum number of pupils on roll from 50 to 100.  This was the school’s first material change inspection. The first standard inspection of the school took place on 29 June to 1 July 2021. The school was registered by the DfE on 28 July 2020.  The inspector held discussions with the executive headteachers, the deputy headteacher, the school business manager and a member of the proprietor body.  The inspector toured the school premises and visited the proposed new classrooms. He reviewed the school’s website and considered a range of school policies and procedures.

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Inspection team

Simon Hunter, 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

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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