Selwyn Hall School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Selwyn Hall School Royston Road, Foxton, Cambridge CB22 6SE

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(2), 2(2)(a)–(i), 2A  The proprietor body intends for the proposed school to provide education for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It is likely that all pupils will have an education, health and care (EHC) plans. Leaders anticipate that pupils attending the school will have experienced disruptions in education previously.  Leaders will assess each pupil’s needs to tailor suitable provision within the curriculum. Assessments will include a range of academic assessments and consideration of information from EHC plans. Leaders plan also to learn about pupils’ needs through conversations with parents, carers and any agencies involved.  Leaders plan to provide a curriculum based on the national curriculum, supplemented by learning personalised to each pupil’s needs. Leaders intend for pupils to learn a

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Main inspection findings

broad curriculum including linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic and creative education. The curriculum will provide pupils with the opportunity to achieve a range of accredited qualifications including GCSE, vocational and functional skills qualifications.  In line with leaders’ vision, the curriculum includes opportunities for pupils to develop personally, emotionally and socially. For example, the curriculum will be enriched by opportunities for pupils to take responsibility, such as serving on the school council.  Leaders’ plans include a well-considered personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme. Staff will teach pupils about how to keep themselves safe when at home, in the community and online. Leaders have designed a suitable relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education programme. Pupils will also study careers

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Main inspection findings

education to help them make informed next steps in education, employment or training. Paragraphs 3, 3(a)–(j), 4  Leaders have sufficient guidance in place to enable teachers to plan and deliver effective sequences of lessons for each subject. Leaders also have the necessary resources in place for teachers to deliver the curriculum effectively.  Leaders have outlined clear procedures for teachers to assess what pupils know and can do. Leaders and teachers will use this information to adjust the teaching and support that pupils receive.  The school is likely to meet all the standards checked in this part. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b)(i)–5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i)–5(d)(iii)  Leaders’ curriculum includes opportunities for pupils to learn about diversity in modern Britain. Leaders intend and have plans in place for teachers to prepare pupils to live

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Main inspection findings

harmoniously with people who have different beliefs and lifestyles.  Leaders plan for teachers to enable pupils to play an active role in British society. Leaders’ curriculum and enrichment provision includes opportunities for pupils to learn about being a citizen in a modern democracy.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7(a)–(b), 9, 9(a)–(c), 10  Leaders have in place suitable arrangements to safeguard pupils. Leaders’ policies and training regime will provide the necessary guidance for staff to identify signs of potential harm and know how to respond appropriately when concerns arise.  Leaders’ behaviour policy clarifies for staff how behaviour will be managed to secure a positive school environment. The policy recognises the likelihood of pupils having different needs and requiring individual behaviour plans. Leaders have specified how

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Main inspection findings

staff will respond to incidents of poor pupil behaviour. Paragraph 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16(a)–(b)  Leaders have an appropriate health and safety policy in place. They keep a close eye on health and safety risks and put effective measures in place to reduce them. Leaders have a calendar of necessary maintenance and checks on the premises. Leaders act effectively when these checks raise concerns.  Leaders have planned for staff levels to provide appropriate supervision of pupils across the school day.  Leaders have put in place well-considered risk assessments. These include the range of activities pupils will experience when on the school site and visiting off-site locations.  Leaders have established suitable admission and attendance registers to record the necessary information about pupils.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a)–(f), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a)–(d), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)–(c), 21(1) 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a)–(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a)–(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a)–(b)  The proprietor body ensures that leaders have been well trained to know how to recruit appropriate staff. All the necessary background checks have been undertaken regarding members of the proprietor body, leaders and staff.  Leaders do not plan to use supply staff. Leaders understand the necessary procedures to appoint suitable supply staff.  Leaders’ single central record of background checks is well maintained.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a)–(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a)–(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a)–(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a–d), 28(2), 28(2)(a–b), 29(1), 29(1)(a–b)  Since gaining use of the school’s premises, the proprietor body has overseen a

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Main inspection findings

complete refurbishment of the buildings and surrounding outdoor spaces. Classrooms are well suited for the delivery of the curriculum. Rooms have suitable acoustics, lighting and ventilation.  There are appropriate toilet and washing facilities, including separate facilities for adults. Leaders have ensured that drinking water is available and appropriately labelled.  The medical room includes the necessary equipment, with adjacent toilets.  The school has plenty of space for pupils to play and socialise outdoors. There is also a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a covered seating area. The perimeter of the school site is bordered by security fencing.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(a)–(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a)–(d), 32(3), 32(3)(a)–(g)  Leaders have provided all required information on the school’s website.  Leaders have well-established procedures to share information with local authorities

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Main inspection findings

about the income and expenditure of funding received for pupils with EHC plans. Leaders also have an effective method for reporting to parents about how well pupils are doing at school and pupils’ achievements.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a)–(k)  On the school’s website is an appropriate complaints policy. It outlines how parents can make a complaint and how leaders will manage them at each stage. The policy also explains how information regarding the complaint will be stored.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a)–(c)  Members of the proprietor body and leaders have demonstrated the knowledge and skills needed to make sure the independent school standards will be consistently met.  The proprietor body have procedures in place to understand and check the strengths

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Main inspection findings

and weaknesses of the school accurately. Leaders have established robust quality assurance measures so that the school consistently meets the independent school standards.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders’ commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality is evident in their policies and plans for the school. They have a suitable accessibility plan in place.

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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

Proprietor Polaris Children’s Services Limited

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Proposed school details

Headteacher Catherine Beard (Executive Headteacher)

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Proposed school details

Email address schooloffice@selwynhallschool.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 7 to 18 7 to 18 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable Up to 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable Up to 50

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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 Not applicable Up to 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 16

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Information about this proposed school

 Selwyn Hall School is part of Polaris Children’s Services Limited. The proprietor body intends for the school to open on 1 May 2023. The proprietor intends to build the number of pupils on roll gradually to reach its capacity of 50 pupils. The proposed school is located in Foxton, Cambridgeshire.  The proprietor body initially proposed that the school admit 80 pupils aged seven to 18 years. Due to storm damage to one of the buildings, the proprietor body changed the proposal to admit 50 pupils. Once the repairs are made to the damaged building, the proprietor body intends to request a material change to increase the maximum number of pupils from 50 to 80.  Pupils attending the school are likely to have a range of educational needs, including: cognitive and learning needs; speech, language and communication needs; social, emotional and mental health difficulties; and autism spectrum disorder. Most are likely

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Information about this proposed school

to have EHC plans.  Leaders plan for pupils to receive therapeutic, welfare and well-being support as part of the school’s curriculum. Some pupils might complete their key stage 4 qualifications at the school until the age of 18.  The school is not likely to use the services of alternative providers.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned the inspection to determine whether the proposed school is likely to meet the independent school’s standards if it is approved to open.  This is the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the executive headteacher and the chair of the proprietor body.  The inspector had a tour of the proposed school to check on the suitability of the premises. He reviewed the health and safety and fire hazard assessments made by internal and external specialists.  The inspector reviewed a range of documents, including curriculum plans. He reviewed relevant policies. The inspector reviewed safeguarding documents, including the single central record of background checks undertaken to ensure staff are suitable to work with pupils.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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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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