Bramfield House School

School material change inspection report

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Bramfield House School Walpole Road, Bramfield, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 9AB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  Leaders ensure that the safeguarding and child protection policy reflects the most recent statutory guidance. The policy is reviewed regularly and is published on the school’s website.  The designated leader for safeguarding is knowledgeable about her role. She maintains effective records and follows up concerns promptly. Leaders work effectively with parents and carers, and with other agencies to ensure that children and families get the support they need.  Staff receive regular training to ensure that their knowledge is up to date. There are regular briefings and updates which help keep safeguarding at the forefront of everybody’s mind. Staff are well trained to recognise the potential signs of abuse and act promptly when they have concerns.  The arrangements for safeguarding are robust.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 11  The health and safety policy is comprehensive and regularly reviewed. Leaders and the proprietor carry out regular and detailed checks to ensure that the policy is being implemented effectively. Paragraph 12  Leaders have the appropriate certification to demonstrate that regular fire-safety checks are carried out by the relevant authority. Leaders carry out regular fire evacuation practices. After each practice, leaders review how well each evacuation has been conducted. They identify any additional measures which are actioned promptly to ensure that the fire evacuation procedures are carried out consistently well. Paragraph 14  Leaders carefully consider how best to support the needs of individual pupils when they are determining the level of supervision that is required. Leaders have clearly demonstrated that they are able to support the proposed increase in the number of pupils at the school.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 16  Leaders have established a rigorous and robust approach to assessing risk that supports the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils.  Detailed and purposeful risk assessments clearly identify the risks associated with specific locations and activities. Risk assessments are carried out by suitable experienced and knowledgeable staff. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated promptly and as necessary.  Risk assessments inform effective planning and support for all pupils, and reflect changes in circumstances and pupils’ needs.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 17 Paragraph 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) Paragraph 19(2), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc),

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Main inspection findings

19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3) Paragraph 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c) Paragraph 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b), 21(8)  Leaders ensure that that all the required checks are carried out before a member of staff is employed to work at the school. The proprietor ensures that the school’s procedures are followed rigorously for all staff appointments. This includes the appointment of school governors.  The single central record of pre-employment checks is comprehensive and up to date. It is checked regularly by the headteacher and the proprietor.

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Main inspection findings

 The school does not use supply staff.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22 Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 23(2) Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2) Paragraph 25 Paragraph 26 Paragraph 27, 27(a), 27(b) Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b) Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b) Paragraph 31, 31(a), 31(b), 31(c)  The school premises meet the needs of pupils who are currently on roll at the school. Leaders have liaised closely with the Department for Education (DfE) to increase the number of pupils on roll at the school prior to the material change inspection taking place.  To prepare for the increase in pupil numbers, leaders have installed two new classrooms. These are well equipped to accommodate groups of up to eight pupils and with appropriate adult supervision. In addition to this, former boarding

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Main inspection findings

accommodation that is no longer required has been refurbished to create four additional classrooms. These also accommodate groups of up to eight pupils and support staff.  Leaders have installed a new full-sized gymnasium with appropriate changing and shower facilities. The former gymnasium building has been repurposed as a construction barn. The horticulture and farm areas have been developed further and include appropriate classroom accommodation. Leaders have installed a motor- mechanic workshop.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)  The proprietor and school leaders demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards. Leaders and the proprietor have clear procedures for assuring themselves that the independent standards are

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Main inspection findings

consistently met.  Leaders have already developed the school site and educational provision to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. At the time of the material change inspection there were 105 pupils on roll. Leaders propose to increase this number to 112 pupils. Leaders have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining the quality of education for all pupils while increasing the number of pupils on roll.  The school is likely to meet the requirements for this part of the independent school standards if the material change is approved.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £40,000 to £151,000

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28–30 January 2020

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 16 7 to 16 7 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 105 112 112

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 105 112

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 105 112

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 105 112

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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 105 112

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 21 23

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 19 20

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Information about this school

 Bramfield House is a special school for boys aged seven to 16 years who have social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils have often been out of full-time education for long periods prior to admission.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan. Each pupil is funded by their local authority.  The school is one of several similar schools that are owned by Acorn Care and Education. The chair of governors oversees the work of the school on behalf of the proprietor.  The school does not make use of alternative provision.  The school is registered to take up to 83 pupils. There are currently 105 pupils on the school roll. Leaders have kept the DfE informed of the demand for school places. The DfE has approved the admission of pupils above the school roll prior to the material change inspection taking place.  At the previous standard inspection in January 2020, inspectors judged the school to

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor body would like to increase the maximum permitted number of pupils on the school roll from 83 to 112 pupils.  The purpose of the inspection was to establish whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the registration authority granted the requested material change.  The inspector met with a representative of the proprietorial body, who is also the chair of governors, and the headteacher. The inspector spoke with a representative from the local authority on the telephone.  The inspector scrutinised the information and policies that are published on the school website.  The inspector met with the designated leader for safeguarding to review the school’s arrangements for safeguarding pupils and staff. The inspector looked at the school’s single central record of the checks that leaders carry out before staff are employed to

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Information about this inspection

work at the school.  The inspector reviewed additional documentation, including the school’s health and safety policy, risk assessments, and fire safety checks.  The inspector toured the school site with the deputy headteacher and estates manager. The inspector visited the additional accommodation that has been put in place to support the increase in pupil numbers to check that these are compliant with the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Katherine Douglas, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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