Eton Dorney Independent Therapeutic School

Eton Dorney Independent Therapeutic School 34 Lake End Road, Dorney, Berkshire SL4 6QS

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 11, 12, 14, 16(a), 16(b) and 16(c)  Leaders have ensured that all health and safety policies are compliant and updated in accordance with national guidance issued by the Department of Education (DfE). The school’s safeguarding policy and accompanying documents are compliant with government guidelines.  The school’s arrangements to ensure pupils’ welfare and safety are not effective. Behaviour records show that staff report all incidents of poor behaviour. However, the records do not show the decisions or actions taken by leaders to address serious breaches of the school’s behaviour policy. Although senior leaders say that they share information about consequences with staff and pupils, there are no detailed records of these. There is a lack of monitoring of pupils’ welfare and safety. Pupils who spoke to the inspector told her that they do not feel safe. They do not trust that staff will help

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Main inspection findings

them deal with any concerns they may have.  The headteacher has made changes to some aspects of the health and safety policies. Staff have received training and only use physical restraint as the very last resort. Leaders make sure that risk assessments are timely. They share the risk assessments with pupils, parents and carers. However, leaders’ oversight of how well the risk assessments support pupils’ welfare is poor. Too often, risk assessments do not include clear timelines, clarity around actions to reduce risks or an end date.  Leaders make sure that fire safety policies and procedures are met diligently. Staff are well informed of the fire safety procedures and receive regular training. Pupils know how to respond in the event of a fire. Any breach of the fire policy is monitored and addressed quickly.  The single central register of checks on adults is maintained correctly. All the required

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Main inspection findings

checks are recorded. Key staff have attended training about safer recruitment. Leaders have also ensured that key staff are qualified to carry out additional safeguarding responsibilities.  Pupils say that they learn about safety at school. They can recall learning about keeping safe online and fire safety. However, some pupils do not feel that staff help them learn how to look after their physical, emotional or mental health. Pupils told the inspector that too often, their learning is disrupted by poor behaviour.  The standard relating to effective implementation of a written behaviour policy and risk assessments is not met.  Leaders have not ensured that all relevant standards in part 3 are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The proprietor and headteacher make sure that the site is safe, secure and well maintained. Classrooms are clutter free and well ventilated. Pupils work in well- resourced specialist rooms for their art, computing, design and food technology lessons. Leaders diligently carry out regular health and safety checks of the site and essential equipment. They are quick to address any maintenance requests identified by staff.  The premises are clean and bright. Lighting and acoustics are suitable in teaching and communal spaces. External lighting ensures that staff and pupils can enter and exit the buildings safely. Drinking water is available and suitably labelled. Facilities such as toilets and washing facilities for staff and pupils are modern and equipped well.  The play area and school grounds are well maintained. Pupils access a range of

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Main inspection findings

activities they can enjoy at playtimes. For example, the site facilities include the forest school, climbing area and the large swing.  Leaders have ensured that all relevant standards in part 5 are 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 and most staff are new to the school. The proprietor has not ensured that there is effective implementation or oversight of important risk assessments and behaviour management systems. Some aspects of pupils’ welfare and safety are not as effective as they should be. Several of the independent school standards relating to welfare, health and safety are not met.  The headteacher sets high expectations and has worked well to appoint new staff and improve morale. She has rightly identified the need to urgently strengthen the behaviour management records and monitoring of risk assessments. The leadership team has not had time to demonstrate significant impact on helping pupils feel safe.  The headteacher has introduced a new staffing structure and set clear lines of accountability. She is also making sure that leaders are well trained in their areas of

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Main inspection findings

responsibility and effective in their roles.  The proprietor has appointed a director of education to oversee standards on their behalf. The headteacher is supported by the director of education, who provides external challenge.  Leaders have not ensured that all standards in this part are 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, 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

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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Calcot Services for Children Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £48,750 to £74,000

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School details

Website www.etondorneyspecialschool.co.uk

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School details

Email address etondorneyschool@csfc.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 6 to 8 November 2018

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Information about this school

 The school was registered by the Department for Education in December 2017. The school accepted its first pupils in March 2018.  The school’s first standard inspection took place in November 2018, when it was judged to be good and all independent school standards were found to be met. The school was also subject to a material change inspection because of a request to increase pupil numbers to 50 from January 2021.  The current headteacher was appointed in June 2021. Most of the leaders and staff joined the school in September 2021. Governance is provided by a range of proprietor’s officers and an independent director of education appointed by the proprietor.  Pupils at the school have social, emotional and mental health issues. Some pupils also have autism spectrum disorder. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The proprietor is Calcot Services for Children Limited, which also runs a number of

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Information about this school

children’s homes across Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Hampshire. Eton Dorney is one of two schools belonging to the proprietor.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This was an emergency inspection carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills act 2008. The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education as a result of an anonymous complaint about fire safety. The inspection was carried out with 30 minutes notice.  The inspector checked the school’s compliance with some independent school standards relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils and the quality of leadership and management.  Not all of the independent school standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.  The inspector held meetings with the deputy designated safeguarding leader, the school business manager, the headteacher and senior staff. She also met with a representative of the proprietor.  The inspector met with pupils and staff.  The inspector checked a range of policies and documents, including the school’s single central register. She also reviewed the school’s website and other records regarding

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Information about this inspection

the welfare, health and safety of pupils and staff.

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Inspection team

Shazia Akram, lead inspector Her Majesty’s 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.  9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that– – 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively; and – 9(c) a record is kept of the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour.  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 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

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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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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