Acorn Park School

School material change inspection report

p.1

Acorn Park School Andrews Furlong, Mill Road, Banham, Norwich, Norfolk NR16 2HU

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(b)  These independent school standards (the standards) were met when the school was inspected in March 2022. Inspectors judged safeguarding to be effective.  An up-to-date safeguarding policy is available on the school’s website. Leaders ensure that staff are trained to understand and follow this.  Leaders deal with safeguarding concerns appropriately. Leaders log cases thoroughly, such as the occasional use of restraint, and use their processes consistently. They carefully monitor the well-being of pupils who are at risk of harm. For example, leaders support any pupils who are perpetrators of abuse or harassment to help them develop more positive attitudes. When leaders need to liaise with outside agencies, they do this regularly and promptly, as shown by referrals to the local authority designated officer and children’s services.  The proprietor body oversees leaders’ work on safeguarding effectively. Governors

p.1

Main inspection findings

check closely on safeguarding. The proprietor body has regular meetings with leaders and staff about incidents and makes sure any referrals to agencies are made as needed. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16  The proprietor body has ensured that there is a detailed health and safety policy in place. Staff receive the training they should. Health and safety is embedded in the management of the site, such as checks on gas safety and legionella’s disease. The processes and risk assessment for fire safety are appropriate and up to date. Risk assessments show that leaders plan closely and regularly how to keep pupils and the site safe. Paragraph 14  The proprietor body ensures that there is an appropriate number of staff with responsibility for safeguarding. Leaders make sure staff are given the training they need, for example to know how to ensure the local arrangements and independent school standards are met. The planned numbers of staff would be appropriate to

p.1

Main inspection findings

ensure suitable supervision of pupils if the increase in pupil numbers is granted.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–21(7)(b)  These standards were met when the school was inspected in March 2022.  Leaders continue to make the checks they should on new, current and supply staff. The safeguarding policy has been amended to consider the most recent guidance on safer recruitment. Leaders show they have the knowledge required to complete appropriate recruitment and selection procedures effectively when appointing new staff.  The proprietor body checks on the accuracy of the single central record.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–31(c)  These standards were met when the school was inspected in March 2022.  The additional premises are situated on the same site. The new accommodation

p.2

Main inspection findings

consists of classrooms, toilets and outdoor space for pupils to use for recreation. The classrooms are appropriate for the requested increase in number and age range of the pupils. Classrooms are well ventilated. Acoustics and lighting are appropriate. The facilities are sufficient and suitable if the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll is granted.  The spacious site is safe and tidy. There is a wide range of well-maintained recreation spaces. All stairwells and corridors are appropriately lit and free from clutter. Drinking water is available to pupils throughout the site. The temperature of the water for handwashing does not pose a scalding risk. The medical room is situated on the ground floor and is suitably resourced. There are suitable toilet and changing facilities available.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

p.2

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(b)  Leaders ensured that all the standards were met when the school was inspected in March 2022.  The proprietor body makes sure that leaders and staff know the independent school standards well. Leaders check regularly on compliance. The proprietor body brings in external partners to give them assurance that the standards are being met.  The proprietor body has the knowledge, skills and understanding to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of pupils are maintained should the proposed changes be granted.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards are likely to be met.

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.4

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.4

School details

School status Independent special school

p.4

School details

Email address denise.leverington@acornparkschool.co.uk

p.4

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 8 to 10 March 2022

p.4

recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 19 6 to 19 6 to 19

p.4

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 108 125 125

p.4

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 108 125 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

p.4

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 108 125

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 108 125

p.5

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 108 125

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 22 25

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 78 84

p.5

Information about this school

 The school provides education for pupils aged six to 19 with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. Admission to the school is via local authority placement.  The school was inspected in March 2022 and judged to be good.

p.5

Information about this inspection

 The inspector met with the head of service, the chair of the governing body and a representative of the proprietor body.  The inspector did not meet with pupils and staff because it was half term.  The inspector toured the site, met with the site manager and looked at health and safety and risk assessment records.  The inspector checked the single central record, met with leaders to discuss safeguarding and looked at records of safeguarding cases.

p.6

Inspection team

Charlie Fordham, 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