Eden School

School material change inspection report

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Eden School 76 Chelford Road, Macclesfield SK10 3LQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor body has ensured that there is a detailed safeguarding policy in place. The policy is also available on the school’s website and reflects the most up-to-date legislation from the Secretary of state, including updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education.  The safeguarding policy is supported by a range of other school policies. It is enhanced further through detailed risk assessments of company vehicles to ensure that they are road worthy and safe to transport pupils.  The designated safeguarding leader has received up-to-date safeguarding training. Staff also receive relevant safeguarding training and frequent safeguarding updates from leaders. The induction programme for new staff also includes relevant safeguarding training.  The effective arrangements currently in place to support the welfare, health and safety of pupils are also likely to meet the needs of the increased number on roll

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Main inspection findings

should the material change be approved. Paragraph 11, 12  There is an appropriate health and safety policy in place for the school. This is supported by the detailed health and safety policy for the Family Care group of schools. Both policies are available on the school website.  There are suitable monitoring systems in place to ensure that all health and safety checks are completed in a timely manner by a competent person. These checks include the main teaching areas and the school’s outdoor learning space.  Annual checks of the emergency lighting and fire alarm systems are carried out by an independent, suitably qualified person. Fire doors are in good working order. Fire evacuation routes are clearly signposted and are free from clutter.  The proprietor body has ensured that the original garden building, and the newly refurbished school premises, are compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)

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Main inspection findings

Order 2005 regulations. Paragraph 14, 16 – 16(b)  The proposed staff-to-pupil ratio will help to ensure that pupils will be appropriately supervised throughout the day should the material change request be approved.  Each pupil has an individual risk assessment linked to their education health and care plan. There is also a comprehensive risk assessment policy and detailed risk assessments in place. These are designed well to mitigate any risk to pupils and/or staff for each of the broad range of activities that pupils can take part in, both in school and off site. These include visits to the local trampoline centre and den building in the school’s dedicated outdoor learning area.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17, 18(2) – 18(3), 19(2) – 19(3), 21

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor body has ensured that all required checks have been carried out for staff currently working at the school. All checks will be completed for any future staff before they begin working at the school. This includes checking that new employees have the knowledge and experience needed to effectively support the special educational needs and/or disabilities of the pupils who attend the school.  The proprietor body intends for all teaching staff to hold a qualified teacher status.  The proprietor does not intend to use any supply staff. However, they understand the procedures to follow should it become necessary.  The comprehensive induction programme in place for any new staff includes safeguarding protocols within the school as well as up-to-date first aid and safeguarding training.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a) – 23(1)(c), 24(1) – 24(1)(b)  The current school sits in the garden of the newly refurbished main building. The proprietor body has ensured that the newly refurbished building has been carefully designed to meet the requirements of the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll. The main building is set over two floors with suitably sized teaching areas and smaller rooms for one-to-one specialist support sessions on each floor. There is also a communal hall and dining area, as well as office space and a meeting room.  There is a medical room for the treatment of pupils in the main building. The room is adequately equipped. It also has suitable handwashing facilities and access to a toilet.  There is a suitable shower and changing area in the main building for the use of pupils, following a physical education session.  There are a suitable number of toilets for the sole use of pupils in the garden building

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Main inspection findings

and on each floor of the main building. There are separate toilets for staff. There is also a toilet available for visitors to use.  On the ground floor of the main building, and in the garden building, there is a toilet that is suitable for people with a disability.  These improvements will meet the needs of current pupils, as well as being able to effectively meet and cater for the proposed increase in the number of pupils should the material change be approved. Paragraph 25, 26, 27  The proprietor body ensures that the school grounds are maintained to a high standard. The refurbishment of the main building has also been carried out to a high standard.  Furniture and resources are suitable for the intended use and the proposed increased number of pupils on roll.  In all areas of the garden building, and the main building, the lighting and acoustics are appropriate for the intended use of the rooms. All windows on the upper floor in

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Main inspection findings

the main building have secure fastenings which restrict how wide the windows will open while still providing adequate ventilation.  All corridors and stairwells in the main building are spacious and are well lit.  There is suitable lighting outside to enable staff and pupils to enter and leave the premises safely when it is dark. Paragraph 28(1) – 28(1)(d), 28(2) – 28(2)(b)  Leaders have ensured that pupils have suitable access to drinking water throughout the day. All drinking water is clearly labelled.  Handwashing facilities are easily accessible on each floor of the main building and in the garden building. The hot water is at a suitable temperature and does not pose a scalding risk. Paragraph 29(1) – 29(1)(b)  The existing outdoor provision will easily accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers should the material change request be approved. There is garden area with space for pupils to play and seating for pupils to socialise. There is also an extensive

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Main inspection findings

woodland area for outdoor learning opportunities.  To the front of the building, there is a space set aside, suitable for the delivery of the physical education curriculum.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request fro a material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) – 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body was able to demonstrate their comprehensive knowledge of the independent school standards. The members of the proprietor body have the necessary skills and experience that they need to carry out their roles effectively.  Leaders at all levels ensure that the safeguarding of pupils and staff is given the highest priority. Leaders are extremely vigilant. The welfare, health and safety of all pupils is promoted well.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards relating to the material change request are likely to be met if the change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor body has ensured that the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to be met.  The accessibility plan has been reviewed to take account of the renovations that have taken place to the main building. The plan details how all pupils will have equal access to the curriculum, including outdoor activities and activities off site.

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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

Website https://www.family-care.co.uk/eden-school/

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School details

Email address jen.lamidey@family-care.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 26 and 27 June 2019

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 16 No change No change

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 8 16 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed No change Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 8 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 8 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 8 16

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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 8 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 10

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Information about this school

 All pupils who attend this school have an education, health and care plan related primarily to autistic spectrum disorder and/or their social, emotional, behavioural and mental health needs.  The admission route for a place at the school is via a local authority referral.  No use is made of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor body has requested an increase in the number of pupils on roll.  The inspector met with a representative from the proprietor body, the head of education for the proprietor group and the head of school.  The inspector was accompanied by the head of school as she had a tour of the school premises, including the extensive school grounds.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation relating to safeguarding, including the procedures for the recruitment of new staff and risk assessments for outdoor learning activities. She also reviewed documentation relating to the independent school standards as identified on the inspection commissioning form.

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Inspection team

Amanda Stringer, 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

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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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