Benjamin College

School material change inspection report

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4 Wren Path, Fairford Leys, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP19 7AR

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(b), 9–9(c), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16–16(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy has been created with the school’s particular operational context firmly in mind. The policy takes account of relevant guidance including ‘Keeping children safe in education’. At present, the school does not have a live website, but the policy is available on request.  Staff are well versed in the school’s safeguarding procedures. The processes for communicating, recording and acting on any safeguarding concerns are firmly embedded. These procedures are designed to negate any potential challenge posed by the school’s multi-site nature.  Other necessary policies and procedures to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of pupils are in place and fit for purpose. Leaders prioritise the training of all staff in first aid. The importance of careful risk assessment threads through the

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Main inspection findings

school’s work. An overarching policy statement sets out the principles, expectations, responsibilities and procedures for writing, implementing and reviewing risk assessments.  Fire-safety risk assessments and associated procedures follow a consistent format across the school, but are rightly written, maintained and reviewed according to each specific site.  Admissions and attendance registers are in place and show all the legally required information.  The school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies and approaches are grounded in the school’s particular context. They set out the required information, for example about possible sanctions in the event of misbehaviour. Predominantly, the aim of the policies is to create a positive culture and enable staff to take consistent approaches to managing behaviour and bullying.  The school is likely to meet all the requirements of the paragraphs in this part if the

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)–18(3), 19(2)–19(3), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(7)(b)  A single central record is in place. It shows all the required checks, including of a person’s identity, appearance on barred and prohibition lists, enhanced criminal records disclosures, their qualifications and their right to work in the United Kingdom. The school does not make use of supply staff or volunteers, but leaders understand the necessary vetting requirements should this situation change.  The single central record was updated during the inspection to show the dates of the various checks, rather than just confirming that they had happened. Similarly, the checks already carried out on the suitability of the proprietor and governors were added to the record. This included the relevant confirmation that they have not been barred from being involved in the leadership and management of an independent

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Main inspection findings

school.  All the requirements of these paragraphs are likely to continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)–23(1)(c), 24(1)–24(2), 25, 26, 27–27(b), 28(1)–28(2)(b), 29(1)– 29(1)(b)  This school is split over nine sites. Each site includes a school room that can accommodate up to four pupils. This is the basis for the school’s existing registration and the basis on which the school currently operates.  Across sites, separate toilet facilities are available for staff and pupils.  Other requirements of this part are all likely to continue to be met. For example, there are suitable arrangements for accommodating sick or injured pupils. Drinking water is accessible, and there is adequate lighting and acoustics.  Pupils go off site for physical education, but there are attractive outdoor spaces at each premises for fresh air and recreation.  The school has a maintenance team on hand and clear procedures for reporting and dealing with any health and safety concerns.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is likely to continue to meet the relevant standards of this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  Through recent inspection cycles, the proprietor and leaders have developed a strong track record of meeting the independent school standards (the standards) and requirements placed upon the school and other registered provisions.  The school now has a small governing body, a development triggered by a recommendation from the previous standard inspection. Governors bring relevant knowledge and experience to the context and aims of the school. It is early days for the governing body, but it has made a promising start.  The proprietor and governors have a sound knowledge and understanding of the standards and associated requirements. They have been mindful of some aspects of these in their oversight of the school’s work. However, the proprietor and governors recognise that there is scope for closer attention to the detail of the various

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Main inspection findings

requirements and to further tighten quality assurance systems. This inspection identified some lapses. Although these were quickly rectified, further issues could call into question the extent to which the proprietor, leaders and managers ensure that the standards are continually met, as required.  Taking into account all available evidence, including the proprietor’s strong track record, the standard contained within this part is likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  There is suitable planning in place for improving accessibility, which is aligned with the school’s specific purpose and admissions criteria. There is a particular emphasis on improving access to the curriculum.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Email address info@benjamincollege.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 January–1 February 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 12 to 18 12 to 18 12 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 18 40 36

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recommendation

The school is organised in line with a principle of educating up to a maximum of four pupils at each site. There are currently only nine operational sites, making a total potential capacity of 36 pupils.

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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 18 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 18 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 Up to 40

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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 12 Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8.8 10.6

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Information about this school

 Benjamin College operates across nine sites. It provides education for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs. Some pupils have additional complex needs. The majority of pupils have an education, health and care plan. All are children looked after and are placed by local authorities.  There were no sixth-form students at the time of the inspection.  The school uses two alternative providers, neither of which are registered as independent schools.  The previous standard inspection took place from 30 January to 1 February 2018.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor had applied to make changes to the school’s registration. The proprietor wished to increase maximum potential number of pupils on roll.  This was the first material change inspection.  The inspector visited each school site, accompanied by the headteacher, and spoke with the deputy headteacher, other staff and pupils. He also had remote discussions with the proprietor, chair of governors, designated safeguarding lead and the well- being lead.  Before and during the inspection, the inspector checked policies, records and documentation related to the independent school standards that were within the scope of this inspection.

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Inspection team

Clive Dunn, 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

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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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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