Hopedale School

Hopedale House, Off West Drive, Cheddleton, Staffordshire ST13 7ED

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b) and Part 6 paragraph 32 (1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy reflects the most recent government guidance. A copy of the policy is available on the school’s website.  All staff have received suitable safeguarding training. Leaders ensure that staff are aware of the main risks for pupils who attend the school. Staff receive regular termly updates on safeguarding issues, including via a newsletter. They are clear about what they should do if they come across a concern about a pupil. Pupils say that they feel safe and happy in school and are confident in knowing whom to go to if something is worrying them.  Leaders keep detailed individual paper folders on each pupil who attends the school. These folders are well organised and show how leaders engage in a timely way with external professionals where necessary.  These standards remain met.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 11, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  Leaders have ensured that they are compliant with health and safety laws. An appropriate health and safety policy has been put in place, which is reviewed regularly.  All staff have received physical intervention training. This has included training on strategies for de-escalating heightened behaviour. Staff are clear that physical intervention should be used as a last resort and with the minimal amount of force necessary.  Each pupil has their own individual risk assessment. This includes information on medical conditions and any other diagnosis. All risk assessments are appropriate, draw on key information from documents such as education, health and care (EHC) plans, and are updated regularly.  These standards remain met.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The school site is clean, tidy and well maintained. Classrooms are appropriately decorated and are bright, colourful learning environments for pupils to work in. All classrooms are adequately lit and contain appropriate furniture for pupils to sit and complete their work. The school’s outdoor space contains various equipment for pupils to play and socialise with others.  The school’s ‘retreat rooms’ and therapeutic rooms are suitably resourced and are appropriate spaces for their intended use.  These standards remain met.

p.2

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  This inspection was prompted by a complaint that was sent to the Department for Education (DfE). The concerns raised were considered during this inspection.  Leaders have a strong understanding of the complex needs of the pupils who attend this school. They take their responsibilities around safeguarding extremely seriously. Leaders ensure that all staff have suitable safeguarding training, including on the use of physical intervention. Records on physical interventions are detailed, kept up to date and are analysed as a matter of routine.  The school’s ‘critical friends’ provide appropriate support and challenge to leaders. They ensure that leaders reflect on and evaluate the impact of their actions.  The proprietor provides appropriate strategic oversight of the school’s work. Senior staff work closely with school leaders to ensure that safeguarding processes are

p.2

Main inspection findings

robust and that pupils get help and support in a timely way.  This inspection did not find any concerns. All the independent school standards that were checked as part of this inspection continue to be met.  These standards remain met.

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.4

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.4

School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

p.4

School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 0

p.4

School details

Proprietor Hopedale Children & Family Services Ltd

p.4

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £42,276 (average)

p.4

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 and 23 May 2019

p.4

Information about this school

 Hopedale School provides therapeutic education for pupils with significant social, emotional and mental health needs.  Nearly all pupils have an EHC plan.  The school operates from Hopedale House, a detached property in the small rural village of Cheddleton.  Most pupils are referred to the school by Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire local authorities.  The school does not use alternative provision.  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in May 2019, when it was judged to be outstanding.

p.4

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspection was prompted by information received by the DfE that raised concerns about safeguarding and the welfare, health and safety of pupils at the school. These concerns were considered during this inspection.  The inspection was carried out with no notice and lasted one day.  The inspector met with the directors of education, headteacher, safeguarding lead and other staff. He also spoke with pupils and looked at school policies and records. In addition, the inspector spoke on the telephone with the chief executive officer of the proprietor board Orbis Group.  The inspector toured the school premises and visited various lessons and other rooms.  The inspector sampled staff personnel files, safeguarding training records, physical intervention logs and pupil risk assessments. He also considered information

p.6

Information about this inspection

contained in the complaint.  Before the inspection, the inspector checked the school’s website and looked at information on the internet.

p.6

Inspection team

Mark Howes, lead inspector His 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 .

p.6

Inspection team

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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.

p.7

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7