Clovelly House School

Clovelly House School Clovelly, Merrylees Road, Thornton, Leicestershire LE67 1AP

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Safeguarding leaders know pupils and their backgrounds well. Staff are appropriately trained and know their responsibilities. Leaders and staff act appropriately when they recognise concerns about pupils’ welfare. Leaders work with a range of external agencies to provide extra help when needed. Pupils feel safe and know how to report any concerns they may have for their own or others’ safety. Leaders maintain thorough safeguarding records.  However, leaders cannot account for the well-being and welfare of all pupils who are in their care. For example, the attendance registers are inaccurate. Leaders do not maintain them appropriately. For the last few weeks, they have failed to record pupils’ attendance and absences. There is confusion regarding whether pupils are, or are not, on the school’s roll. The proprietor has not secured a strong culture of safeguarding.

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Main inspection findings

 The school does not meet this standard. Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10  The school has a suitable behaviour management policy that sets out what leaders expect of pupils and how staff will promote and manage positive behaviour. The policy includes the school’s anti-bullying strategy, including cyber-bullying. Leaders have written the policy having considered the pupils’ specific needs. Leaders have effective ways to record incidents of poor behaviour and any resulting sanctions.  Leaders’ analysis of behaviour data shows that staff apply the behaviour policy inconsistently. This has resulted in fluctuation in pupils’ behaviour. Behaviour has deteriorated since the start of this academic year. The school’s approach to behaviour management is not improving pupils’ behaviour.  Leaders recognise that bullying is a concern. They have not ensured that staff implement the anti-bullying strategy effectively. Some pupils say that bullying occurs

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Main inspection findings

and staff do not deal with it. Leaders are not taking effective action to remedy this.  The school does not meet these standards. Paragraph 11  The school has a written health and safety policy. However, leaders do not implement the policy effectively. There have been very few health and safety checks at the school’s main site in recent months. The proprietor has not ensured that leaders are fulfilling their health and safety responsibilities.  The school does not meet this standard. Paragraph 12  The health and safety policy includes guidance related to fire management procedures. The proprietor was unable to provide evidence that fire safety checks have been completed at the main school site. For example, regular checks on fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and the fire alarm system have not been undertaken. There are no records of recent fire drills. The proprietor does not ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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Main inspection findings

 The school does not meet this standard. Paragraph 13  The school has a comprehensive first-aid policy. However, leaders do not implement this effectively. Accident and first-aid records are not complete. Records are not available from the end of September 2022. Historic records are not complete.  The school does not meet this standard. Paragraph 14  Leaders ensure that pupils are appropriately supervised across the school day, including break and lunchtimes.  The school meets this standard. Paragraph 15  The proprietor has failed to maintain an accurate admission register. The admission register is not complete. It does not have all of the required information for each pupil on roll, for example, with missing emergency telephone numbers. Some of the information recorded is not accurate. For example, some addresses are incorrect.  The school’s attendance register for the main site is not accurate. Some records of

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Main inspection findings

attendance and absences are incorrect. Registers are not up to date. Attendance has not been recorded for the last few school weeks. The incorrect dates are blocked out for the recent half-term holiday. Registers do not record reasons for absence. Leaders are not maintaining attendance registers in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  The proprietor does not monitor the admission and attendance registers effectively. Leaders were unaware of the weaknesses found in these registers at the time of the inspection.  The school does not meet this standard. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school’s risk assessment policy gives clear guidance for staff. Risk assessments vary in quality. The policy states that each pupil should have a regularly updated risk assessment. Some risk assessments do not record pertinent and known risks for some pupils. In these cases, the risk assessments do not provide sufficient information to

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Main inspection findings

enable staff to reduce identified risks. The school’s risk assessment policy is not effectively implemented.  The school does not meet this standard.  The school does not meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors 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), 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), 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), 25(5)(c)  Leaders have carried out all of the necessary pre-employment checks on members of staff and supply staff who are currently employed at the school.  Leaders maintain a single central record that includes the full range of checks required before an individual starts working with pupils.  The school meets these standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance. It is published on the school’s website.  The school meets this standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Complaints Paragraph 33, 33(a), 33(b), 33(c), 33(d), 3(e), 33(f), 33(g), 33(h), 33(i), 33(i)(i), 33(i)(ii), 33(j), 33(j)(i), 33(j)(ii), 33(k)  A suitable complaints policy is in place. It outlines appropriate procedures for the management of any complaints from parents of pupils.  The school meets this standard.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has not ensured that the school securely and consistently meets all the independent school standards. At the time of the inspection, the school was judged not to be meeting multiple standards in part 3, relating to pupils’ welfare, health and safety.  Leaders know that staff are not implementing school policies effectively. They have not acted in a timely manner to resolve these inconsistencies.  Leaders have failed to fulfil their statutory duties in relation to keeping pupils safe. For example, they cannot account for the welfare and safety of all the pupils on the school roll.  The proprietor recognises that she has been focused on dealing with issues related to Clovelly House, the associated children’s residential home. The suspension of the residential home has impacted on the school team.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor does not have an effective continuity plan in place to mitigate the imminent departure of four senior leaders.  The proprietor does not demonstrate capacity or resilience to deal with the current issues or immediate future of the school.  The school does not meet the standard in this part.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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, as set out in the annex of this report. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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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.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 0

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School details

Email address jcollighan@clovellyhouse.co

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16 to 18 November 2021

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Information about this school

 Clovelly House School is an independent school situated in Thornton, Leicestershire LE67 1AP. It operates from a second site at The Bungalow, Mill Lane, Enderby LE19 4LX.  The school provides for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties, as well as other complex needs.  The school does not use the services of any alternative provision.  The school’s last standard inspection took place from 16 to 18 November 2021 and the school received a good overall judgement.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned the inspection due to concerns related to safeguarding and the emergency closure of the associated children’s home, Clovelly House, on the same site, which was directly run by the same proprietor.  The DfE commissioned the lead inspector to check the school’s provision for the welfare, health and safety of pupils, the suitability of staff, the manner in which complaints are handled, and the quality of leadership and management.  The inspection was carried out without notice.  The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  The inspector met with the proprietor, who is also the headteacher.  The inspector met with the curriculum leader and safeguarding leader to review behaviour and health and safety. He met with members of staff in person, and remotely. He spoke with pupils in person, and remotely.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector reviewed the school’s safeguarding policy. He met with the safeguarding leader to review safeguarding. He reviewed safeguarding records and the single central record. He spoke to pupils and staff about pupils’ welfare.  The inspector considered a wide range of documents, including the school’s admission and attendance registers, the school’s behaviour management policy and behaviour information, health and safety records, and documents related to complaints.  At the time of the inspection, the head of school and school bursar were absent.

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Inspection team

Chris Davies, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that- – 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively.  10 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that bullying at the school is prevented in so far as reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and implementation of an effective anti-bullying strategy.  11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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