Maple Grove School

School material change inspection report

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Maple Grove School Clare Avenue, Chester, Cheshire CH2 3HR

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  Leaders, including members of the proprietor body, have ensured that a suitable safeguarding policy is in place. The policy makes reference to appropriate statutory guidance and is available on the school’s website. During the inspection, leaders demonstrated secure reporting systems that staff use to report any safeguarding concerns. These systems will likely remain suitable if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted.  Leaders ensure that all staff receive regular safeguarding training. This helps to ensure that staff remain knowledgeable about the risks that pupils may face, such as neglect and child sexual exploitation. Leaders check that staff understand the procedures to follow if they have any safeguarding concerns. These checks are likely to ensure that staff continue to understand how to recognise and respond to any

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Main inspection findings

concerns about pupils’ safety or welfare if the material change is approved.  Leaders are well equipped to ensure the suitability of staff appointed to work at the school. The effective processes for the employment of suitable staff are likely to remain appropriate should the material change be agreed upon. Paragraph 11  Leaders have established a suitable health and safety policy. The policy covers all required elements of health and safety, including, for example, gas safety, working at height and substances hazardous to health. The policy will remain appropriate if the material change is approved.  Leaders’ records show that checks, such as legionella water testing, are completed regularly. These checks will continue if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraph 12  Leaders’ records show that emergency lighting checks, fire alarm tests and fire drills take place regularly. During the tour of the school, it was clear that appropriate fire

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Main inspection findings

safety equipment is available and well maintained. Fire escapes are clearly identified and are not obstructed. The proprietor body ensures that required checks on the fire alarm and fire safety equipment are carried out by a competent person. These checks are likely to ensure that this standard will remain met if the material change is approved.  Evidence provided during the inspection, and discussions with leaders and the proprietor, confirm that they understand and are compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. These appropriate arrangements are likely to remain met if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraph 14  Leaders have employed suitable additional staff. Leaders are continuing to recruit staff and would employ additional staff to meet individual pupils’ needs should this be required. The proposed increase in staff numbers is likely to ensure the suitable

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Main inspection findings

supervision of pupils if the increase in pupil numbers is approved. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor body has ensured that an effective risk assessment policy is in place. Leaders have completed suitable risk assessments, for example for when pupils use tools and resources during science lessons or when they travel off-site in the minibus. The risk assessment policy and associated risk assessments are likely to remain appropriate should the material change be granted.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3)  Leaders ensure that the required checks on staff are completed before they start working at the school.  The proprietor body employs a central team that ensures that an appropriate range of pre-employment checks are completed prior to staff working at the school. These

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Main inspection findings

checks are suitably recorded on the single central record. The proprietor body ensures that the single central record is checked often to ensure it is up to date. As a result, it is likely that these standards will remain met if the increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraph 19(2)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3)  Leaders make occasional use of supply staff. They ensure that the required checks are in place before supply staff work at the school. This is likely to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraphs 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(7)(b)  Checks under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 are in place. These ensure that leaders, including members of the proprietor body, are suitable to manage a school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools  The current school building adequately supports the proposed increase in pupil

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Main inspection findings

numbers. It is suitable for the age and special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) of pupils that may attend the school. Additionally, leaders have recently acquired additional classroom spaces on the school site. This space was previously used by a nursery provider. This building includes an additional two classrooms, a further space for pupils to work in and a room for staff to use. Suitable toilets and outside space are available to pupils and staff who use these additional classrooms. Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured suitable toilet facilities for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Hot and cold water is available for handwashing. This does not pose a scalding risk. Toilets are for the sole use of pupils. To ensure privacy, cubicles can be locked from the inside.  There are separate toilets for staff and visitors. These are suitable. Accessible toilets

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Main inspection findings

are provided for pupils, staff and visitors. These have an appropriate sink that is suitable for handwashing.  Leaders have ensured that suitable showering facilities are available for pupils. These facilities will remain appropriate if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)  The medical room is appropriately equipped with a bed, and suitable room for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils. The medical room has a dedicated toilet, shower and a sink with hot and cold water. The room is suitable to accommodate additional pupils should the material change be granted. Paragraph 25  Leaders have ensured that the school premises are maintained to a high standard. Regular checks are completed by staff. Any identified issues are quickly and appropriately addressed. Paragraph 26  Leaders have ensured that all areas of the school provide suitable acoustic conditions.

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Main inspection findings

This includes classrooms which are conducive to learning. Paragraph 27, 27(a), 27(b)  All areas of the school, including classrooms, have suitable lighting. Leaders maintain appropriate lighting so that visitors, staff and pupils can enter and exit the building safely. Paragraph 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)  Leaders have ensured that sources of drinking water are clearly labelled. Pupils have access to drinking water throughout the school day. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  There is sufficient outside space for pupils to play and socialise safely. The space will be suitable if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is accepted.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is granted. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has a detailed knowledge of the standards. It works closely with

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Main inspection findings

the local governing board and other senior leaders to hold leaders to account. These checks on leaders’ work ensure that the standards are met consistently. Leaders have carefully thought about and planned for the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  The proprietor body has ensured that all standards checked during this inspection are likely to be met if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is granted.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is granted. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have an appropriate accessibility policy in place which ensures that schedule 10 of the Equalities Act 2010 is likely to be met.

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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.

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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

Proprietor Acorn Care and Education Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £46,390 to £73,120

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 November to 2 December 2021

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 16 No change Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 35 51 51

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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 35 51

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 35 51

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 35 51

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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 35 51

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 32 38

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 1 As required

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 12 14

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Information about this school

 The school provides education for pupils aged five to 16. All pupils have SEND, including autism spectrum disorder, social communication difficulties and a range of additional needs.  The school’s previous inspection was a standard inspection in November 2021. The school met all of the independent school standards.  Since the last inspection, several additional staff have been appointed. This includes the appointment of an assistant headteacher.  At the time of this inspection, leaders do not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor body requested an increase in pupil numbers.  The inspector toured the premises, accompanied by the headteacher. The inspector checked the suitability of the premises against the relevant independent school standards.  The inspector met with the headteacher throughout the inspection. He met remotely with a director of the proprietor body and senior leaders from the proprietor body. He met in person with a member of staff responsible for the site and spoke on the telephone to a leader with responsibility for the premises. The inspector met in person with a representative of the local authority.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents and policies in relation to the health, well-being and safety of pupils. This included the safeguarding policy.  The inspector scrutinised the single central record and discussed leaders’ safer

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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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