Kirby Moor School

School material change inspection report

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Kirby Moor School Longtown Road, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 2AB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7  Leaders have all the necessary arrangements in place to keep pupils safe and to promote pupils’ welfare at the school.  The executive headteacher is the designated safeguarding leader (DSL). The headteacher is the deputy DSL. The proprietor has ensured that both the DSL and the deputy DSL have received suitable and up-to-date training.  Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to keeping children and pupils safe. They understand who to contact at the local authority if they need additional support or guidance.  Leaders have been trained in safer recruitment. This training supports leaders to ensure that the requirements for the checks on the suitability of staff are likely to be met.  The safeguarding policy takes account of the latest government guidance. Leaders ensure that all staff receive regular safeguarding training. This includes how to raise

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Main inspection findings

concerns with the DSL, when required.  There is an online electronic system which is used by all staff to record concerns about pupils’ welfare. Safeguarding records are stored securely using this electronic system. Paragraphs 11, 12  The proprietor body has ensured that there is a suitable health and safety policy in place which takes appropriate account of the increased number of pupils on the school’s roll.  Leaders provide all staff employed at the school with a detailed induction that includes health and safety training.  The proprietor body arranges regular health and safety checks to ensure that any issues can be identified quickly and resolved in a timely way. Checks on electrical systems and fire equipment are completed by a suitably qualified person. These checks have been carried out on all the accommodation that the school intends to use should the material change be approved.  The school’s buildings are compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

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Main inspection findings

2005 regulations. Smoke alarms, firefighting equipment and emergency lighting have been installed. These are checked frequently by a competent person. All fire exits are signposted and free from clutter. There are clearly labelled fire muster points in suitable locations. Leaders practise fire alarm drills with pupils and staff regularly. This ensures that everyone understands what to do in the event of a fire. Paragraph 14  The proposed number of staff will ensure that, if the material change is implemented, pupils will be appropriately supervised throughout the school day. Paragraph 16  The proprietor body has ensured that an acceptable risk assessment policy is in place that addresses the details of the intended material change. This policy explains to staff the process that is to be followed to create risk assessments.  Leaders have suitable risk assessments in place for the range of activities that pupils

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Main inspection findings

undertake, such as trips and visits. They also have individual pupil risk assessments in place, as needed. Leaders demonstrate a secure knowledge of how to act to mitigate the risks that pupils may face in school and when undertaking trips and visits.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17–18(2)(e), 18(3)  Leaders understand and carry out the checks that need to take place prior to staff working at the school. These include an enhanced criminal record check, identification checks and checks on staff’s right to work in the United Kingdom. Paragraph 19  Leaders do not use supply staff in the school. However, leaders understand the required checks that would need to be completed if supply staff were to be used. Paragraphs 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(7)(b)  All the required suitability checks for the proprietor and leaders have been completed.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have carried out the checks that should be completed for the directors of the proprietor body, including the checks under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools The school’s accommodation consists of a main building which houses the reception area, an office and some classrooms. There are some additional classrooms in cabins to the rear of this building. The school’s dining room and kitchen are located on the ground floor of the adjacent former children’s home. This building will also accommodate some additional teaching and therapy rooms. Also, the proprietor body intends to move the school office into the former children’s home building. This is to create additional classroom space in the main school building. There is a separate site, the Herdley Bank Annexe, located 12 miles from the main school site. This annexe is housed in a former

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Main inspection findings

primary school building. Externally, on both sites, there are tarmacked playgrounds as well as grassed playing areas. The school’s premises provide a suitable and welcoming environment in which children and pupils can learn. Paragraph 23  Leaders have ensured that there are adequate toilets available for pupils to use. Toilets can be locked from the inside to provide privacy. Suitable handwashing facilities are available. Water does not pose a scalding risk. A separate disabled toilet is available. There are also showers and changing accommodation on both school sites. Paragraph 24  The medical room on the main school site has a bed and blankets. There is a suitable first-aid kit. The room has its own sink and is suitably close to the toilets. The medical room at the Herdley Bank Annexe has a bed and blankets. This room has its own sink and toilet. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27–27(b), 28(1)–28(1)(d), 28(2)–28(2)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders ensure that the site is clean and well maintained. Leaders have a clear start- and end-of-day procedure. This limits the risk of any pupil absconding.  There is suitable external lighting on all buildings. This ensures that visitors, staff and pupils can access or exit the buildings safely.  The classrooms are suitably furnished for the ages of the pupils. The acoustic conditions, and lighting, of each room are conducive to learning. Each room has adequate heating.  Leaders have ensured that children and pupils have access to drinking water throughout the day. Sources of drinking water are clearly labelled. Paragraph 29  The playgrounds and playing fields on both school sites allow for pupils to take part in physical education lessons. These playgrounds and playing fields also allow for pupils to play and socialise.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The chair of the proprietor body oversees leaders’ work. The proprietor body provides leaders with expert advice and support to help ensure that the standards are consistently met.  The proprietor body and leaders have carefully considered the implications of the planned increase in the number of pupils on roll. They have made sure that appropriate actions have been taken so that the relevant standards will continue to be met if the material change is implemented.  The proprietor has ensured that all the standards relating to the safety and welfare of pupils, children and staff at the school are likely to be met.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has ensured that there is a suitable accessibility plan that meets the requirements of paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Proprietor North Lakes Children’s Services

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £41,000 to £42,250

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 September 2021

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 18 7 to 18 7 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 52 75 75

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Boys Boys Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 52 75

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 52 75

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 52 75

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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 52 75

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 14 17

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 25 28

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Information about this school

 The previous standard inspection was carried out from 21 to 23 September 2021.  The school operates on two sites. The second site is at Herdley Bank Annexe, Coanwood, Northumberland NE49 0QU.  The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.  Since the previous inspection, the headteacher has been appointed as the executive headteacher and a new headteacher is in post.  The school does not use alternative provision.  There are no sixth-form students on roll at the school currently.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to determine if the school is likely to meet the independent school standards should the proposed increase in the numbers of pupils on roll be approved.  The school has requested to increase the numbers of pupils on roll to 75. All pupils will have social, emotional and mental health needs. It is likely that all these pupils will have EHC plans.  The inspector held a telephone meeting with the proprietor. She also met with the executive headteacher.  The inspector made a tour of the school to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant independent school standards. She also reviewed a wide range of documents and policies, including those relating to welfare, health and safety. A scrutiny of the safeguarding procedures, including recruitment processes and checks, was also completed.

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Inspection team

Pippa Jackson Maitland, 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 .

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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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