Wathen Grange School

Wathen Grange School Church Walk, Mancetter, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 1PZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  This standard was met during the last full inspection in July 2018. However, Ofsted received a complaint raising concerns about the safeguarding of pupils at the school.  Leaders have not ensured that the safeguarding policy is kept up to date. The policy does not take into account the latest guidance from the Secretary of State. Staff are not aware of key changes to legislation and how this may inform their work. Staff have not received or read the latest guidance and are not fully aware of their responsibilities within it. During this inspection, staff could not recall the content of their most recent safeguarding training.  A number of supply staff work at the school. While they are provided with information about pupils, they are not routinely provided with a copy of the safeguarding policy.  The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is based at the school for one day per week.

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Main inspection findings

There are two additional trained DSLs on the school site. The school’s single central record is maintained on the school’s intranet to ensure it is accessible. However, they do not have immediate access to important documents relating to safeguarding, such as the risk assessment policy. Staff’s responsibilities are not distributed evenly enough to ensure that systems run smoothly.  Pupils who met with the inspector said they felt safe at school. They said that any problems are usually resolved quickly. They said there is always someone they can talk to if they are upset or worried. There is a small number of pupils at the school and staff know them well. They are quick to spot if something is wrong. They know what action to take when responding to concerns relating to pupils.  This standard is not met. Paragraph 14  There is a high ratio of staff to pupils. Pupils are well supervised throughout the

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Main inspection findings

school day, during lessons and unstructured times. Pupils are taught in small groups, with at least two members of staff present. Pupils attend frequent off-site trips and visits, which are also staffed appropriately.  This standard is met. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school does not have a risk assessment policy. However, detailed risk assessments are in place. These relate to the environment, off-site visits and individual pupils. These risk assessments identify likely risks and the necessary actions to be taken to reduce them.  The standard in paragraph 16(b) is met.  The standard in paragraph 16 and 16(a) are not met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 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), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c),

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Main inspection findings

19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(2)(e), 19(3), 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)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a) and 21(7)(b)  These standards were met at the time of the full inspection in 2018. A complaint has been raised to Ofsted since then, relating to safeguarding concerns.  The proprietor has ensured that the majority of necessary checks have been carried out on staff prior to them being employed by the school. These checks are recorded.  These standards are met. Paragraph 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(iii)  Section 128 checks have not been carried out to determine that those responsible for leadership and management are not subject to prohibition.

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Main inspection findings

 This standard is not met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 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) and 29(1)(b)  These standards were not met during the last full inspection. In response, leaders took appropriate action and the standards were met at a subsequent monitoring visit in September 2019. Since then, concerns about the premises were reported to Ofsted.  The school is housed in a two-storey building. Classrooms are appropriately lit and ventilated and suitable for the activities that take place within them. Adequate outside lighting ensures safe entry and exit from the school for pupils, staff and visitors. Pupils have access to outdoor space at unstructured times throughout the day. The site is secured with a locked gate. Access to the school building is via a fob system in the

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Main inspection findings

main reception.  The school has a suitable number of toilets and washrooms to accommodate the number of pupils on the school roll. These are single use only and can be secured from the inside. The water supply does not pose a scalding risk to pupils. Safety checks are carried out regularly and recorded appropriately. The supply has been tested for bacteria by an external contractor and confirmed as safe.  Pupils have access to drinking water and this is clearly labelled as such. Bottled water is also readily available for pupils.  The school has a medical room. This is fit for purpose and accessible at all times. It contains a sink and is situated near a toilet.  The school does not have changing rooms and showers on site. However, pupils do have access to local leisure centres for physical education where they are able to use facilities.  The school continues to meet these standards. Part 6. Provision of information

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The safeguarding policy does not reflect the latest guidance. However, it is published on the school’s website and made available in paper copy on request.  This standard is met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the time of the last full inspection, the proprietor had not ensured that all of the independent school standards were consistently met. A subsequent monitoring visit found that leaders had taken appropriate action to address the previously un-met standards.  Since then, leaders have not kept up to date with key legislative changes. Currently, the safeguarding policy does not reflect recent government guidance. Staff have not received appropriate training relating to important safeguarding updates. Consequently, staff are not fully informed about their responsibilities.  The school employs a number of agency staff. The processes for staff’s induction are

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Main inspection findings

not robust enough. Staff do not routinely receive a copy of the safeguarding policy.  The lead DSL works at the school for one day per week. There are two further DSLs on site. While the school’s single central record is accessible via the school’s intranet, other key documents relating to safeguarding were not available at the time of inspection, including the risk assessment policy.  These standards are not met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10 to 12 July 2018

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Information about this school

 Wathen Grange School is a small independent day school situated in Atherstone. The school offers up to 20 places for boys and girls who have social and emotional difficulties. Pupils are placed at the school via a number of local authorities, including Warwickshire and Staffordshire. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school is housed in a former church school building. It contains several classrooms, a large dining area and a secure outdoor space.  The school was last inspected in June 2018. It was judged to require improvement with a number of un-met regulations. The school submitted an action plan to the Department for Education (DfE) outlining how it would address these. A subsequent monitoring inspection in April 2019 found that the school met the standards that were checked.  At the time of this emergency inspection, the school was not making use of alternative providers. Pupils do take part in a number of off-site activities.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was carried out without notice at the request of the DfE following a complaint made to Ofsted relating to safeguarding of pupils.  The inspector met with the headteacher to discuss safeguarding arrangements. The inspector also met with school staff and pupils and toured the premises, accompanied by the headteacher. The inspector spoke on the telephone with the proprietor, who is also the chair of the governing body.  A number of key documents were reviewed, including the school’s single central record of employment checks on staff and policies relating to safeguarding. A selection of risk assessments were also scrutinised.

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Inspection team

Melanie Callaghan-Lewis, lead inspector Ofsted 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.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 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.

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

 21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is- – 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction.

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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. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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