Cambian Dunbroch School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Cambian Dunbroch School Fordham Road, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7LG

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a)–2(1)(b), 2(2), 2(2)(a)–2(2)(i), 2A(1)–2A(1)(g), 2A(2)  All pupils likely to attend the proposed school will have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with an associated education, health and care (EHC) plan for social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Typically, they will have experienced significant disruption to their educational experience prior to joining.  The school will provide at least five hours of learning each day. A typical day will have six lessons. Pupils will also have opportunities for learning during enrichment activities.  There is a written curriculum policy that reflects the school’s aims to provide different pathways to meet the needs of individual pupils between the ages of 11 and 18. Leaders’ intentions is to assess pupils’ starting points when they join the school so that individual programmes are pitched at the most appropriate level. This includes

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Main inspection findings

pupils having access to phonics tuition where needed.  All pupils will follow a core curriculum of English, mathematics, science, computing, humanities, physical education (PE), and personal, social and health education (PSHE), which includes sex and relationships lessons. There is a broader curriculum that will offer pupils a choice of subjects to study up to GCSE level. Pupils will also have opportunities to study vocational subjects, such as hair and beauty.  Curriculum plans are in place to give pupils suitable experiences in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic and creative education. Some curriculum plans are more developed than others. For example, not all schemes of work for the different units are in place for the humanities curriculum.  The curriculum places a strong focus on pupils’ personal development and well-being. The PSHE curriculum is suitably designed to meet pupils’ different needs. Plans are

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Main inspection findings

linked, for example, to forging healthy relationships and understanding risks, including online exploitation and bullying.  Leaders plan to offer impartial and age-appropriate careers advice. Careers education will be provided as part of the PSHE programme. Pupils will be given the opportunity to learn from visiting speakers and, where applicable, some pupils will be supported to undertake work-related learning and work experience. Paragraph 3, 3(a)–3(j)  Curriculum plans give teachers a framework to follow so that pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding are developed over time. Leaders aim to ensure that individual plans will be based on an analysis of starting points when pupils join the school.  A headteacher and pastoral manager have been appointed. The proprietor aims to employ a special educational needs coordinator. As the school grows, the proprietor will appoint further teachers and teaching assistants who have experience of working

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Main inspection findings

in this type of setting. Suitably qualified instructors will lead the outdoor education programme. This includes horticultural and environmental science.  Teaching will take place in suitably resourced classrooms, including specialist spaces for the teaching of science, hair and beauty, art and design, and computing. Classrooms have computers as well as interactive whiteboards installed.  The behaviour policy and systems, supported by the curriculum, are designed to support staff in promoting positive behaviour for learning in their lessons. Paragraph 4  Nationally recognised examinations and awards, including GCSE and foundation-level qualifications and the ASDAN award, will be used to assess the outcomes achieved by pupils.  There are appropriate procedures planned for reporting on pupils’ progress and achievement.  The independent school standards for the quality of education are likely to be met by

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Main inspection findings

the proposed school. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a)–5(d)  The proposed curriculum aims to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. Leaders have a policy in place which details clear expectations of what teachers are to cover. Schemes of work indicate that pupils’ SMSC development will be threaded through all areas of learning and specifically within the PSHE education curriculum. This includes where pupils will learn about fundamental British values.  An enrichment programme will include opportunities to socialise at breaktimes and lunchtimes and cook food together. An SMSC events calendar plans celebrations of key religious festivals and charitable days. There is a focus on citizenship with events such as recycle week.  The requirements of the independent school standard on these paragraphs are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a)–7(b)  Leaders have clear procedures and detailed policies to safeguard pupils and promote all aspects of their welfare, health and safety. For example, a wide range of therapeutic support is available, including counselling.  As part of the school’s admissions procedures, information gained from assessments and from pupils’ key workers and virtual headteachers will be used to inform plans to meet pupils’ personal, social and emotional needs.  The headteacher and pastoral manager are designated safeguarding leads and have undertaken the required training. All new staff will be trained at an appropriate level and will receive regular updates. Staff in the company who interview and appoint new members of staff are safer recruitment trained.  The safeguarding policy is comprehensive and includes all current requirements. The policy is published on the school’s website.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 9, 9(a)–(c), 10  Suitable policies and procedures are in place for managing pupils’ behaviour, for positive handling, managing pupil exclusions and preventing bullying.  An electronic system is in place to record and monitor behaviour patterns. Leaders aim to use this information to provide support for pupils and to secure continuous improvement in pupils’ behaviour over time. Paragraph 11–16  Leaders have a comprehensive health and safety policy. This is supplemented by rigorous risk assessments for the site as well as for pupils’ potential behaviour difficulties.  The proprietor has ensured that required fire safety and electrical safety measures are fully in place. Leaders know to undertake daily and weekly checks on the premises and services. All equipment, including fire extinguishers, is to be serviced annually.  An appropriate first-aid policy is published on the school’s website. There is a system

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Main inspection findings

to record accidents. Several staff will be trained in first aid.  The ratio of pupils to staff will generally by two pupils to one adult, which is suitable for the proposed provision.  Admissions and attendance registers are ready for when the school opens. Arrangements for registering each pupil’s attendance on a day-to-day basis are clear.  The independent school standards for the welfare, health and safety of pupils are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2)–19(2)(d), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(6)  The proprietor ensures that the necessary recruitment checks on staff are completed prior to new appointments. These have been completed for the new headteacher and pastoral manager.  All appropriate checks on the suitability of staff, the proprietor and governors are recorded on the school’s single central record. This meets statutory requirements.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders will recruit additional staff as the school grows. The proprietor will ensure that the necessary checks are made.  Leaders plan to use agency staff when required. They are aware of the necessary safeguarding checks needed when agency staff are deployed.  School leaders have ensured that these standards are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)–23(1)(c), 24(1)–24(2), 25–29  The school site is extensive. The main school building is in the centre of the campus. Pupils have access to a new school building, a community hub, sensory spaces, an outdoor social area, gardens, and an all-weather PE space which is floodlit. At the time of this inspection, paths were being constructed to connect the various areas and the grounds were subject to landscaping.  The school building is ready for opening. There is access for disabled pupils and adults to a ground floor site which houses multiple classrooms and specialist teaching

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Main inspection findings

spaces. The accommodation is suitable to support the teaching of the proposed curriculum, the number and age range of pupils proposed at its opening, and pupils’ SEMH needs.  The building has suitable soundproofing, natural light and electric lighting, and ventilation. External and emergency lighting are in place and suitably checked.  There are suitable and separate toilet and washing facilities for staff and pupils. There is a separate adapted toilet for use by pupils with disabilities.  There is one shower in the school building. If more showers are needed, then pupils have access to further showers in the other buildings on the campus.  The medical room has a bed and a sink with hot and cold water. It is adjacent to a toilet.  Drinking water is available and suitably labelled.  The standards for premises and accommodation are likely to be met by the proposed school. Part 6. Provision of information

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 32(1)–32(1)(j), 32(2)–32(3)(g)  The school has a website which contains school policies, including that for safeguarding, and an outline of the curriculum.  The proposed checks on pupils’ progress and achievement will form the basis of the necessary reports to parents and local authorities.  Pupils who attend the school when it opens will be funded by a local authority. Leaders are aware of their responsibility to provide a breakdown of income and expenditure related to the funding they receive. They understand what they need to do to implement effective processes linked to pupils’ EHC plans and the associated annual reviews.  Leaders have ensured that this independent school standard is likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33–33(k)  A written policy for handling complaints is in place. The policy provides clear guidance on the procedures, timescales, composition of the panel, representation and

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Main inspection findings

confidentiality.  Leaders have systems in place for maintaining written records of all complaints and information about the follow-up actions taken.  This independent school standard is likely to be met by the proposed school. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor is Cambian Childcare Ltd. The proprietor operates 22 schools plus additional post-16 colleges nationally.  The regional education lead chairs the governance committee. The school will have an independent school improvement partner. Leaders in the company have extensive experience of opening and leading this type of specialist setting.  The newly appointed headteacher has run several special schools.  There is a range of quality assurance procedures in place to oversee the school’s work once it has opened. Support and challenge for the headteacher will be provided by the proprietor’s regional education lead. A safeguarding board will monitor procedures

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Main inspection findings

and processes for keeping pupils safe. The headteacher has clear plans for overseeing the quality of the curriculum and its delivery.  Arrangements are in place to provide new staff with the training and development they need to ensure that they are suitably equipped to work with pupils in this setting who may have SEMH needs.  This independent school standard is likely to be met by the proposed school. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan provides details of how all pupils can access the premises and the curriculum effectively.  This requirement is likely to be met by the proposed school.

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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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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Email address kicha.mitchell@cambiangroup.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age N/A Number of pupils of compulsory school age who have an education, health and care plan, or who are looked after by a local authority N/A

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Provider already operating

Total hours operating as a school per week N/A

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week N/A

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recommendation

Age range of pupils N/A 11–18 11–18 Number of pupils on the school roll N/A 22 22

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  Leaders’ original proposal included an age range of 12–18. This was incorrect for the full age range of secondary pupils. This was amended to 11–18. There is appropriate accommodation and curriculum planning for the alteration.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils N/A Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age N/A 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

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

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan N/A 22

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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 N/A 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff N/A 8

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff N/A 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision N/A 4

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Information about this proposed school

 The proprietor seeks registration for the school with the Department for Education as an independent special school, to cater for pupils who have a wide range of SEND needs, including autism spectrum disorder, cognitive and learning needs, specific learning difficulties, behavioural, emotional and social development needs, behavioural, emotional and social difficulty, communication and interaction needs, and speech and language needs. The provider also seeks to cater for children looked after by the local authority.  The proprietor body is a private limited company. There are five directors.  There will be a governing body.  The proprietor seeks capacity for 22 pupils. There is a graduated plan in place to stagger pupils’ entry. A few pupils will join the school when it opens in November 2022.  Local authorities will commission placements to the school.  The school is located on a single site at Fordham Road, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7LG.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-registration inspection of the proposed school.  The proposed school is not yet operating.  The inspector met with the managing director representing the proprietor and the headteacher.  The inspector toured the premises and the campus grounds, scrutinised the single central record and reviewed safeguarding arrangements.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documentation, including policies and procedures, and other information provided by the proprietor.

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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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