Cambian Potterspury Lodge School

Cambian Potterspury Lodge School Potterspury Lodge, Towcester, Northamptonshire NN12 7LL

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2)(h), 3, 3(a), 3(g), 4  The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum. Most subjects in the national curriculum are offered. Presently, pupils only study modern foreign languages at key stage 2, but the curriculum enables pupils to develop their communication skills.  Leaders gather detailed information about pupils before they start at the school. This ensures that the curriculum on offer is appropriate to their needs.  The curriculum is reviewed and adapted as necessary to meet pupils’ needs. For example, some pupils have an extended transition period, others follow a clinically informed curriculum that blends academic learning and personal development. These adjustments help pupils to settle.  The curriculum is designed to ensure that pupils are supported for their next steps and develop the skills that will enable them to flourish in the wider world.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils have access to an appropriate range of accredited qualifications.  The curriculum takes appropriate account of pupils’ needs, ages and aptitudes. Learning is well organised. Curriculum planning is structured so that pupils build on their previous learning.  There is an appropriate framework in place to assess pupils’ work regularly. Staff use information from assessments to plan teaching so that pupils can progress through the curriculum.  Leaders track pupils’ progress against their education, health and care plan (EHC plan) outcomes carefully. Leaders are currently reviewing their assessment processes.  The school meets the independent school standards that were checked in this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Safeguarding arrangements are in keeping with the most up-to-date guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The school’s safeguarding policy is comprehensive and

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Main inspection findings

published on the school’s website.  Staff know pupils well. They are quick to spot signs that a pupil may be in need of additional support. Leaders ensure that safeguarding information is shared as appropriate. When concerns arise, pupils are monitored closely and provided with appropriate and effective support.  Staff take all potential safeguarding concerns seriously. They involve external agencies when necessary.  Leaders maintain detailed records of safeguarding concerns. During the inspection, leaders strengthened these arrangements further.  Leaders know what to do when concerns are raised about a member of staff’s conduct. They recognise the need to take all allegations seriously.  Leaders ensure that staff and pupils reflect when there has been an incident of concerning behaviour. Staff consider pupils’ views and use these to agree future work. Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 10  Relationships between pupils and staff are positive. Staff support pupils to manage

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Main inspection findings

their own behaviour well. Staff use appropriate strategies to de-escalate potential behavioural difficulties.  Records of pupils’ behaviour are detailed. Leaders use these records to monitor pupils’ behaviour and provide additional support when necessary.  Incidents of bullying are rare. Pupils feel safe in school. Paragraphs 11, 14  An appropriate health and safety policy is in place. Leaders check the site regularly and quickly resolve any issues they identify.  Leaders have ensured that appropriate levels of supervision are in place. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Every pupil has a personalised behaviour support plan and risk assessment. These are detailed and help staff ensure that pupils are supported well and kept safe. Regular meetings ensure that staff maintain an up-to-date knowledge of each pupil’s needs and strategies to manage risks.  The school meets the independent school standards that were checked in this part.

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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 knowledgeable and reflective. They evaluate the quality of their work and act quickly to bring about improvements when weaknesses are identified.  Those responsible for governance provide effective challenge and support. They hold leaders to account.  There are robust systems in place to monitor the quality of the school’s work. Leaders commission external professionals to verify their self-evaluation. Leaders work with staff from other schools within the group to share best practice.  Staff have pupils’ interests at heart. They actively promote pupils’ well-being.  The school meets the independent school standards that were checked in this part.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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

School status Independent special 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 6

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £49,223 to £67,777

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School details

Website www.cambiangroup.com/specialist- education/our-schools/asperger- schools/potterspury-lodge-school/ Email address jenny.nimmo@cambiangroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25 to 27 February 2020

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Information about this school

 Cambian Potterspury Lodge caters for pupils who have autism spectrum disorder. Many also have a range of behavioural, social, emotional and mental health difficulties. All pupils have an EHC plan.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in February 2020.  The school uses Northamptonshire Saints Foundation as an off-site alternative provider.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education following concerns raised about safeguarding arrangements, pupils’ welfare, the quality of education and leadership and management. The inspection was conducted without notice.  The principal was not in school on the day of the inspection. The lead inspector spoke with her by telephone during the inspection.  Inspectors met with the head of education and other leaders. The lead inspector spoke by telephone with the managing director of Cambian Group.  Inspectors scrutinised the school’s records in relation to safeguarding and behaviour, including records of physical intervention and bullying. The lead inspector met with the designated safeguarding lead to discuss the school’s safeguarding arrangements. The lead inspector scrutinised the school’s single central record.  Inspectors toured the school’s site and visited all classes.  An inspector met with the school’s special educational needs coordinator and

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Inspection team

Deborah Mosley, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Deirdre Duignan 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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