Howard House School

School material change inspection report

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Howard House School Netherton Colliery, Netherton Colliery, Bedlington, Northumberland NE22 6BB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders have established a good culture for safeguarding. There is a pertinent and up-to-date safeguarding policy for the school. It is published on the school’s website. It incorporates the latest statutory guidance.  Arrangements for safeguarding pupils are appropriate. Leaders are aware of pupils’ vulnerabilities. They have made sure that procedures and relevant policies are suitable for the proposed increase in the number of pupils.  Staff are trained to keep pupils safe. Staff know the potential risks to pupils. They ensure that pupils learn how to keep themselves safe, including online.  There is an effective system to record and monitor safeguarding concerns. Leaders maintain rigorous oversight. They share information when needed and work closely with external agencies to support pupils and their families. Paragraphs 11, 12

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Main inspection findings

 There is an appropriate health and safety policy. Potential hazards for pupils and staff have been carefully considered. Frequent maintenance checks are carried out on the building. These include checks on the quality of drinking water and to ensure the fire alarm is in good working order.  The school is compliant with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire risk assessment has been carried out. The proposed increase in the number of pupils who can attend the school will not pose any additional risk from fire. Staff are trained as fire wardens. Leaders will ensure that evacuation procedures are practised with pupils, including those new to the school, so that they know what to do in the event of an emergency. Paragraph 14  The proprietor ensures that pupils are adequately supervised. Pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities are considered when allocating staff to supervise

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Main inspection findings

pupils. Leaders intend to appoint additional staff when needed. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Leaders have ensured that there is an effective risk assessment policy for the school. The policy identifies for staff the possible health and safety risks in the school environment and beyond. There is a clear procedure for completing assessments of risk. Risk assessments, including those for pupils, show how risks are identified and the actions that will be taken to manage them.  Risk assessments are monitored by leaders to ensure that pupils are kept safe. For example, leaders have carefully assessed the suitability of the building to accommodate the proposed increase in the number of pupils. They ensure that staff identify accurately any risks to pupils when leaving the school site for external activities.  The relevant standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1), 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), 18(4), 18(4)(a), 18(4)(b), 18(4)(c), 19(1), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 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), 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), 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(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  Leaders carry out the necessary checks on staff to make sure that they are suitable to work with children. They will use the same procedures when recruiting new staff.

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Main inspection findings

 The single central record contains the statutory information for staff and leaders, including members of the advisory board and the proprietorial body. It details who carried out the checks and when. Suitable arrangements are in place to monitor safer recruitment procedures.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 24(3), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The premises are in good condition. Leaders have given careful thought to how the proposed increase in the number of pupils can be accommodated. They have ensured that classrooms and larger rooms used for social times will have suitable space and resources for the proposed additional pupils.  Classrooms are light and airy. Acoustics are suitable. There is adequate internal and external lighting.  Washing and toilet facilities are appropriate. Hot water does not pose a risk from scalding.  Leaders have made sure that the building is accessible. An accessible toilet is provided.  There is suitable space outside for pupils to socialise and play. However, leaders also

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Main inspection findings

take pupils to various external sporting venues for physical education lessons. These include a local leisure centre and football club. Suitable changing and showering facilities are provided in school and at the external venues.  The resources provided for pupils are of good quality. For example, leaders have recently purchased new computer devices for pupils. There is a well-stocked kitchen and canteen area where pupils can develop their catering skills. They can also play table tennis or relax with a book in the new library in the conservatory.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders possess the necessary knowledge and experience. They appoint staff who are suitably qualified and skilled. They understand their statutory responsibilities for annual reviews of pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plans.  Leaders have applied to increase the number of pupils on the school’s roll in response to an increasing demand for school places in the local area and the growing good reputation of the school. They are confident that they can meet pupils’ individual needs well including the proposed additional pupils.  Members of the proprietorial body maintain effective oversight of the school. They ensure that regular checks are carried out on the safety of pupils. Members of the advisory board visit school often. They make sure that pupils are well cared for and make good progress with their academic and personal development.

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Main inspection findings

 Staff meet daily with leaders to share information and ensure that the welfare of pupils remains high priority. The headteacher reports frequently to the advisory board and the proprietorial body. The proprietorial body have suitable procedures in place to hold leaders and staff to account for the performance of the school.  Leaders have a good understanding of the independent school standards. They understand their roles and responsibilities.  The standards in this part are 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 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) £45,000 to £75,000

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School details

Email address admin@youngfoundations.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4 to 6 May 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 18 10 to 18 10 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 22 30 30

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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 22 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 22 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 22 30

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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 22 30

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 9

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Information about this school

 The school’s last standard inspection took place from 4 to 6 May 2022.  The school is registered to provide full-time education for pupils or students aged between 10 and 18 years old who have social, emotional or mental health difficulties.  All pupils have an EHC plan.  The school does not intend to use the services of any alternative providers.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector met with the headteacher and two members of the proprietorial board, one of whom was also the chair of the advisory board.  The inspector undertook a tour of the school’s premises with the headteacher and chair of the advisory board.  The inspector checked the arrangements for staff recruitment and discussed the school’s approach to ensuring the safeguarding of pupils with the designated leader for safeguarding and two members of staff.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documentation, including policies and procedures relating to health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment.  During the inspection, the Department for Education agreed to amend the material change request by the school to increase the number of pupils from 26 to 30.

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Inspection team

Stephanie Innes-Taylor, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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