Abigail's Place

School material change inspection report

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Abigail’s Place St. Ann’s School, Spetchley, Worcester, Worcestershire WR5 1RS

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that there is a detailed safeguarding policy in place. The child protection and safeguarding policy takes account of the most recent government guidance and is available on the school’s website.  The designated safeguarding leader has received up-to-date safeguarding training. Staff also receive regular training to ensure that their knowledge is up to date. There are regular briefings and updates which help keep safeguarding at the forefront of everybody’s mind. Staff are well trained to recognise the potential signs of abuse and act promptly when they have concerns.  Leaders demonstrate the necessary knowledge and understanding to make sure that pupils are kept as safe as possible throughout the school day and beyond. Leaders display a secure understanding of managing behaviour and prevention of harm.

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Main inspection findings

 The effective arrangements currently in place to support the welfare, health and safety of pupils are also likely to meet the needs of the increased number on roll should the material change be approved. Paragraph 11  The health and safety policy is comprehensive and regularly reviewed. Leaders and the proprietor carry out regular and detailed checks to ensure that the policy is being implemented effectively. Paragraph 12  Leaders have the appropriate certification to demonstrate that regular fire safety checks are carried out by the relevant authority. Leaders carry out regular fire evacuation practices. Paragraph 14  Leaders carefully consider how best to support the needs of individual pupils when they are determining the level of supervision that is required. Leaders have clearly demonstrated that they are able to support the proposed increase in the number of pupils at the school. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have established a rigorous and robust approach to assessing risk that supports the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils. Every pupil has an individual risk assessment that sets out the required levels of supervision, both indoors and outdoors.  Detailed and purposeful risk assessments clearly identify the risks associated with specific locations and activities. Risk assessments are carried out by suitably experienced and knowledgeable staff. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. 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(2)(f), 18(3), 20(6), 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),

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Main inspection findings

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) and 21(6)  The single central record contains the full range of pre-employment checks. It is stored centrally in an electronic format.  The school has appropriate recruitment procedures in place. This includes obtaining two references and carrying out a medical check prior to appointment.  All teaching staff hold qualified teacher status.  Leaders do not use supply staff to cover staff absence.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(1)(c), 24(2), 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) and 29(1)(b)  The school is based over two sites which are on opposite sides of the road. In the St

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Main inspection findings

Ann’s building there are two classrooms, an occupational therapy room, a rebound room, a kitchen, a hall – that is used every morning for African drumming, a nurture room known as ‘the nest’ and other facilities. Outside there is a gym and sensory play bus, plus extensive gardens. In the Redhouse building, there are three classrooms, an art room, a sewing room, a massage room, a kitchen area and a playroom. There are also extensive outside areas, including a forest school section. All rooms are well lit and have good acoustics.  There is suitable space for the proposed number of pupils to learn.  At the St Ann’s site there are three separate toilets available to pupils, with hot and cold running water and handwashing facilities. One of these contains a shower and a suitable changing space for pupils to use if required. There is a separate toilet for staff and visitors. At the Redhouse site there are two toilets available to pupils, with hot

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Main inspection findings

and cold running water and handwashing facilities. There is also a bathroom with a shower and a separate shower by the medical room. There is a separate toilet for staff and visitors.  Both sites have a medical room with a bed and access to a toilet and handwashing facilities.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders have given very careful thought to the proposed increase in capacity. They are committed to providing high-quality education for each pupil. They are mindful that any increase in capacity does not have an adverse impact on the quality of education currently offered in the school.  The school has the capacity to support the proposed change to numbers on roll.  All of the independent school standards checked are likely to be met if the proposed material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders have ensured that they have a suitable accessibility plan in place that meets the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £45,000 to £57,000

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School details

Email address nina.stone@abigailsplace.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 12–14 July 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 16 5 to 16 5 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 9 15 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 9 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 9 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 9 15

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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 9 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 7

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Information about this school

 Abigail’s Place is a small specialist school for pupils who have experienced trauma, or complex trauma. All pupils at the school have had repeated placement breakdowns within the care sector. Pupils present with complex behavioural, social and emotional needs.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school’s last standard inspection was in July 2022.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor body would like to increase the maximum permitted number of pupils on the school roll from 10 to 15 pupils.  During the inspection, the school requested to change the proposed number of pupils on roll from 14 to 15. Ofsted communicated this with the DfE on the day of the inspection.  The purpose of the inspection was to establish whether the school is likely to meet the relevant in dependent school standards if the registration authority granted the requested material change.  The inspector met with a representative of the proprietorial body and the education lead.  The inspector scrutinised the information and policies that are published on the school website.  The inspector reviewed additional documentation, including the school’s health and safety policy, risk assessments and fire safety checks.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector met with the designated leader for safeguarding to review the school’s arrangements for safeguarding pupils and staff. The inspector looked at the school’s single central record of the checks that leaders carry out before staff are employed to work at the school.  The inspector toured both school sites with the education lead.

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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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