Aurora Woodlands School

School material change inspection report

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Aurora Woodlands School Woodlands, Holly Tree Close, Darwen, Lancashire BB3 2NG

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Leaders have published a suitable safeguarding policy on their website. It contains references to the most recent guidance from the government. Staff receive effective training to ensure that they know the signs of abuse. Leaders have a rigorous system in place for reporting and recording pupils’ safeguarding concerns. Leaders respond promptly when pupils need help and enlist support from external organisations, such as the local authority’s children’s social care team, when they need to do so. Leaders understand the processes involved in managing allegations against staff, should any arise. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school’s policies relating to health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment are suitable. Leaders put their policies into practice effectively. For example, leaders carry out regular health and safety audits, record their findings and take action to address

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Main inspection findings

any issues. There are detailed risk assessments in place which identify hazards and set out methods to minimise any harm that could result. Paragraph 14  Leaders have ensured that there is a low ratio of staff to pupils, which enables pupils to be supervised effectively. If the material changes are granted, leaders intend to sustain this low ratio. Therefore, it is likely that leaders will continue to secure appropriate supervision of pupils.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material changes are approved and implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–18(2)(d), 18(3), 19(1)–19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6)–20(6)(b)(ii), 21(1)–21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(b), 21(5)–21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)–21(6)  Leaders have effective processes for checking the suitability of staff and members of the proprietor body. The single central record contains all the required information to

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Main inspection findings

demonstrate the suitability of the proprietor body and employees. Leaders obtain copies of all the necessary documentation to establish the background of staff whom they employ. Leaders make sure that supply agencies have carried out the correct checks on supply staff before they begin work at the school.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material changes are approved and implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–23(1)(c), 24(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2), 25–29(1)(b)  There are suitable toilet facilities in place with enough cold water for flushing. There are also washbasins nearby with hot and cold water for washing. The temperature of the hot water does not present a risk of scalding. There are showers and changing facilities for pupils to use when they take part in physical education (PE). Leaders have made arrangements that boys and girls will use these facilities separately, if the material changes are approved. Leaders have plans to create separate showers and changing areas for boys and girls in the near future.  There is a room that is appropriately equipped for pupils who are sick or need medical attention. There is a separate, lockable toilet cubicle in the room. This contains a washbasin with hot and cold water for washing.  Leaders maintain the premises to a good standard. Leaders are likely to ensure the

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Main inspection findings

health, safety and welfare of pupils, if the proposed material changes are approved.  Classrooms have enough space for the proposed number of pupils and have suitable light and acoustic conditions. These rooms are well equipped and furnished.  Leaders make drinking water readily available to pupils throughout the day. There are labelled sources of drinking water, which are separate from the toilet areas.  The outdoor area is spacious and suitable for pupils to play and take part in PE lessons. There is external lighting to ensure that people may enter and leave the building safely during the hours of darkness.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material changes are approved and implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has effective systems for monitoring the work of school leaders. Leaders show secure knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards. They are likely to ensure that the relevant standards are met consistently, if the Department for Education (DfE) approves the proposed material changes.  The policies and procedures which leaders have devised, such as those related to safeguarding and health and safety, are likely to ensure that pupils’ safety is secured and their welfare promoted.  Leaders have ensured that all the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material changes are approved and implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have a suitable accessibility plan in place for pupils with disabilities who may attend the school. Actions include providing ramps to enable easier access to the building and using information technology resources to help pupils to access information if required.  Leaders have ensured that this requirement is likely to be met if the material changes are approved and implemented.

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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

Email address sarah.gregory@the-aurora-group.com

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 15 to 17 March 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 19 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 53 64 64

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 52 60

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 53 64

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 53 64

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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 53 64

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 35 37

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff None None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision None None

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was 15 to 17 March 2022.  The school caters for pupils with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and social, emotional and mental health needs.  Leaders use one registered alternative provision and one unregistered alternative provision. The small number of pupils who attend these do so on a part-time basis.  The school operates from Woodlands, Holly Tree Close, Darwen, Lancashire BB3 2NG  There are currently very few students in the school who are aged over 16 years.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE commissioned Ofsted to carry out this inspection because the proprietor body applied to make material changes to the school’s registration.  The proprietor body requested an increase in the school’s maximum capacity from 56 to 64 and a change in the gender of pupils at the school from boys to mixed. If these changes are applied, they are unlikely to have a detrimental effect on the educational provision at the school. The proprietor body intends to continue to cater for pupils with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and social, emotional and mental health needs.  This is the first material change inspection that the school has received in respect of these particular changes which the proprietor body has applied to make.  The inspector spoke with the chair of the proprietor body, the principal and other leaders. He completed a tour of the premises. He analysed relevant documents,

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Information about this inspection

including those relating to safeguarding and matters of health, safety and welfare.

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Inspection team

Mark Quinn, 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

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.

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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 .

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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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