Oliver House School

Hallgate, Astley Village, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 1XA

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned this inspection to check the school’s welfare, and health and safety arrangements, and the approach to managing complaints.  Leaders’ strong focus on pupils’ well-being is evident through all aspects of the school’s bespoke policies and procedures. The proprietor body provides effective support to help safeguard pupils in the school. As well as supporting school leaders in training staff, it monitors the impact of leaders’ work to keep pupils safe.  The safeguarding policy is informed by the latest statutory guidance. The policy is published on the school’s website. The headteacher is the designated safeguarding lead. She leads the safeguarding team. All staff receive up-to-date training to keep their knowledge up to date. This enables staff to carry out their responsibilities to

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Main inspection findings

keep pupils safe.  Leaders have appropriate systems in place to record any concerns that could indicate that pupils are at risk of harm. This allows staff to act promptly to keep pupils safe. Paragraphs 9 and 10  The school’s behaviour policy is suitable. It places a strong emphasis on leaders’ ethos to promote pupils’ positive behaviour. Since many pupils have complex needs, it explains in detail what procedures are in place, should any incidents arise. Pupils have individual behaviour plans. The school’s multidisciplinary team and therapists support staff well to use these plans when supporting pupils’ behaviour.  Leaders keep detailed information on any incidents of poor behaviour or alleged bullying. Leaders use this information to check for any patterns in behaviour. This also allow leaders to identify emerging strengths or any improvements needed to manage pupils’ complex needs. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16

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Main inspection findings

 The written risk assessment policy is suitable. It describes appropriate features to help manage risks. It also references how staff should report accidents. There is a wide range of risk assessments in place that cover a variety of activities and situations.  The proprietor body’s policies for health and safety, fire safety and first aid are suitable. Fire safety records include a specialist contractor’s fire risk assessment. Records of first-aid incidents are thorough.  The admission and attendance registers are maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  Leaders have a detailed health and safety policy in place. The policy ensures that health and safety laws are complied with. The policy states clearly who is responsible for which aspects of safety in each phase of the school and on outdoor trips. The policy also outlines the ways in which the school will monitor and review procedures.

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Main inspection findings

 Staff supervise pupils well. During this inspection, pupils’ behaviour was managed effectively. Staff maintained appropriate supervision of pupils in classrooms and around the school site. Classrooms are well equipped to meet the needs of pupils.  The independent school standards checked in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 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) and 20(6)(c)  The school follows safer recruitment procedures when appointing staff. Leaders carry out all required checks to ensure that staff pose no risk to pupils. These checks are recorded and show that staff are suitable to work with pupils.  The single central record is compliant with the relevant legislation and guidance.

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Main inspection findings

 The independent school standards checked in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a), 33(b), 33(c), 33(d), 33(e), 33(f), 33(g), 33(h), 33(i), 33(i)(i), 33(i)(ii), 33(j), 33(j)(i), 33(j)(ii) and 33(k)  The proprietor body ensures that the complaints procedure is available from the school office and is published on the school’s website. There are also clear procedures in place for staff to raise concerns. The safeguarding advice booklet given to visitors on arrival also contains the whistleblowing procedures.  The complaints procedure meets all the requirements of the independent school standards. It includes explanations of the different stages of any complaint. The procedure also includes the timescales by which leaders will respond to any concerns.  The independent school standards checked in this part 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) and 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body and school leaders have a strong understanding of the independent school standards. Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to actively promoting pupils’ well-being. This is evident in the school’s ethos, policies and culture.  The actions that the proprietor body and leaders have taken to support pupils’ well- being and safety demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge to ensure that the independent school standards are consistently met.  The independent school standards checked in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an appropriate accessibility plan in place. Classrooms located on the first floor have access for any person with a disability via a lift. The policy contains appropriate actions, for example in making adaptations to accommodate pupils who have sensory disabilities, and providing curriculum information in a variety of formats as required.  The proprietor body has ensured that the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 are met.

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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 16

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School details

Proprietor body Aspris New Education Services Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £72,474 to £106,708

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School details

Email address jennypowell@priorygroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16 to 18 July 2019

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Information about this school

 Leaders do not use any alternative providers.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE requested that Ofsted conduct an emergency inspection in response to a complaint it had received. The inspection was carried out without notice.  The inspector examined the school’s website and looked at a wide range of documents relating to pupils’ behaviour and the school’s procedures for safeguarding pupils.  The inspector toured the school premises, accompanied by the headteacher.  The inspector held discussions with senior leaders. He spoke with those responsible for safeguarding, and a representative from the local authority. He also spoke formally with pupils, and with members of staff about pupils’ behaviour and the safeguarding procedures in school.  The inspector had discussions with the headteacher and a representative of the proprietor body.

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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

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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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