Embleton View

School material change inspection report

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Embleton View Westgate House, Coniscliffe Road, Darlington DL3 8TF

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1)-4  Leaders and the proprietor body have thought carefully about the curriculum that key stage 5 students will learn if the material change request is approved. The key stage 3 and 4 curriculum is well established. It includes a wide range of appropriate subjects that meets the expectations of the independent school standards and the needs of individual pupils.  Key stage 5 subject plans are detailed and appropriately sequenced. Leaders intend to combine academic study with vocational and outdoor learning for key stage 5 students.  The proposed personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum includes a range of relevant topics that will support students’ preparation for adulthood. This includes content linked to time management, community participation and communication skills.  Plans to extend the current careers education curriculum to post-16 students are likely

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Main inspection findings

to be suitable. The proprietor has plans to appoint an additional member of staff with responsibility for this aspect of the curriculum.  Leaders will assess students in key stage 5 in the same way as they do for younger pupils in the school. This will include summative assessments in English and mathematics. Leaders and staff will assess and track students’ development across a range of competencies linked to personal and social development.  The school benefits from a wide range of appropriate teaching resources and reading materials. Leaders will continue to promote reading for pleasure to support students’ learning across the curriculum.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5-5(d)(iii)  Plans are in place to develop further the many opportunities for students to enhance

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Main inspection findings

their self-esteem and self-confidence. Leaders and staff regularly explore and unpick with key stage 4 pupils what it is they want to do when they are older. To help pupils understand more clearly what is involved in certain jobs and vocations, staff accompany pupils to open events and careers fairs. This is because some of the pupils attending Embleton View are anxious or worried about unfamiliar places or large crowds. Leaders intend to widen the scope of these visits to help build post-16 students’ confidence and understanding in preparation for the world of work or further education.  The personal and social development curriculum will include opportunities for students to learn how to make friends, empathise and use appropriate behaviours when interacting with others in social situations. Leaders propose that students will be able to continue their Duke of Edinburgh Award into key stage 5, allowing them to practise

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Main inspection findings

and reflect on how they handled different social situations when working in the community.  Leaders intend to allow the students participating in the construction course to build more planters, garden seats and improve the school environment, while at the same time, refining their practical construction skills.  Plans to develop students’ understanding of democracy, religion and tolerance are likely suitable.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7–7(b), 11, 13, 14, 16  There are appropriate safeguarding and child protection policies in place. The policies demonstrate leaders’ strong understanding of how to keep pupils safe and the vulnerabilities of the pupils attending the school.  The designated safeguarding leader is appropriately trained and understands his responsibilities well. Leaders intend to train more staff to a higher level if the material

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Main inspection findings

change request is approved.  Other policies relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils are in place and reviewed often. This includes appropriate health and safety policies, as well as systems and procedures to reduce the risk of fire on the premises and the risk of the spread of fire on the premises.  The proprietor intends to appoint additional staff to help supervise pupils in lessons, at social times and across the three sites. Appropriate consideration has been given to ensure staff have the skills and understanding to be able to supervise and support the pupils and students attending the school.  The proprietor and leaders have considered the additional risks associated with the proposed increase in student numbers. They have drawn up detailed risk assessment policies and individual risk assessments that highlight to staff how they could mitigate the risks, ensuring all staff and pupils are aware of how to stay safe.

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Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)-18(3)  The proprietor and leaders conduct thorough pre-employment checks to ensure staff are suitable to work at the school. The established procedures will continue to be used should the material change be implemented, and additional staff be appointed. Paragraph 19(2)-19(3)  The school do not use supply staff. However, in discussion, leaders demonstrated a strong understanding of the checks required should temporary staff be required in the future. Paragraph 20(6)-20(6)(c)  Checks to ensure the suitability of members of the proprietor body have been completed. There are no plans to appoint additional members to the proprietor body should the material change be implemented. Paragraph 21(1)-21(7)(b)  The single central record of recruitment checks is comprehensive. It meets

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Main inspection findings

requirements. Those with responsibility for the single central record will continue to maintain the record in an electronic format, ensuring appropriate staff details are recorded if the material change request is approved.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)-24(2)  The current premises, across the three sites, all have suitable toilet and washing facilities which are provided for the sole use of pupils. There are suitable facilities that pupils can use to change clothing ready for physical education or other outdoor activities.  The proprietor and leaders have thought carefully about where the additional students will study if the material change request is approved. While there is enough space to accommodate the additional students at any site, leaders have plans in place to

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Main inspection findings

distribute the additional students across the three sites and at other outdoor education venues nearby.  The current medical facilities and arrangements will be suitable for any increase in student numbers. Paragraph 25-29(1)(b)  The school is a welcoming environment. It is bright and airy. The lighting and acoustic conditions are appropriate. The facilities at the Unit 21 site are appropriate for students to learn about, and participate in, activities linked to the construction industry. Additional facilities are in place, ready for an increase in student numbers, that include an outdoor garden room and dedicated post-16 classroom situated away from the main building. The new facilities have appropriate lighting, heating and ventilation.  There are outdoor social spaces for students to use. The spaces include wooden seats made by the students and a trampoline. Leaders have detailed risk assessments in

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Main inspection findings

place and activities are supervised appropriately. There will be adequate outdoor space for an increase in student numbers if the material change request is approved.  There is adequate hot and cold running water at all sites. Students can access drinking water at any time.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is published in electronic format on the website. It is available in paper copy at request.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) 34(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards are likely to be met should the material change be granted.  The proprietor and leaders have a clear vision for the future of the school. This vision

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Main inspection findings

is underpinned by principled leadership that is focused closely on what is best for each individual pupil. The rationale for increasing student numbers is sound. Leaders want more time with students who require further support to help them be ready for their next steps in education, employment or training.  The proprietor and leaders demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge appropriate to their role. There are systems and procedures in place for them to check the quality of provision available to pupils. The proprietor and leaders have plans to expand their quality assurance procedures to ensure students in key stage 5 receive a strong quality of education.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is implemented. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietors are aware of their duties under the Equality Act 2010. The school’s policies and curriculum will continue to be appropriate should the material change be

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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

School status Independent special school/

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £36,000 to £82,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25 to 27 September 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 18 11 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 16 24 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 16 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 16 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 16 24

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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 16 24

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 23 29

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Information about this school

 Embleton View is an independent special day school. All pupils have an education, health, and care (EHC) plan, most as a result of specific social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils are placed and funded by a wide range of local authorities.  The school is part of the ALD Group Limited.  The school’s previous inspection was a standard independent school inspection in September 2018. The school’s overall effectiveness was judged to be good at that time.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The proposal is to create eight additional places across the school’s three sites; Embleton View, Westgate House (Main site), Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 8TF, Embleton View Coundon, Coundon Industrial Estate, Bishop Auckland DL14 8NR and Unit 21, Durham Business Park, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6ZF.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the Department for Education after the school applied to increase the number of pupils at the school from 16 to 24 and to raise the upper age of pupils from 16- to 18-years old.  The inspection was conducted with two days notice and was the school’s first material change inspection.  The focus of the inspection was to consider whether the school would continue to meet the independent school standards if the requested change is implemented..  The inspector met with the headteacher, leader with responsibility for safeguarding, proprietor and a director of the ALD Group.  The inspector considered the written policies for safeguarding and health and safety. He reviewed and discussed a range of risk assessments with leaders. He also reviewed the school’s single central register.

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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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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