Broadlands Hall

School material change inspection report

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 6, 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders prioritise safeguarding in the school. The published safeguarding policy reflects the most recent government guidance and is effectively implemented.  Regular training and updates support staff to recognise and identify pupils that may be at risk of harm. This includes specific training on the ‘Prevent’ duty and online safety. Daily meetings with all staff enable discussion and sharing of pupil concerns.  Leaders have a robust system of recording safeguarding concerns. Staff know how to raise concerns and record them in detail. The designated safeguarding lead closely monitors all safeguarding concerns. Leaders take appropriate and timely action, including engagement with external organisations, when needed.  Three members of staff have completed training as designated safeguarding leaders. Appropriate members of staff have also completed safer recruitment training.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 11  Leaders have published their health and safety policy on the school website.  Leaders carry out regular checks to ensure that the systems that are in place are effective. These checks, which include checks of the fire alarm system, are well documented. Paragraph 12  The school, including the new building, have all required fire safety measures in place. This includes regular checks on fire extinguishers. Fire evacuation practices take place regularly. Leaders maintain detailed records of all checks and tests. Paragraph 14  Most pupils receive one-to-one support from skilled and well-trained staff. This provides pupils with effective supervision. Leaders have plans that are in place to maintain this ratio if the requested material change is granted.  The school is currently training a number of new teachers. This will help to increase the ratio of qualified teachers to learning support assistants in the school.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 Leaders have clear plans in place to ensure that the pupil numbers increase gradually over time, if the material change request is granted. This is to ensure that suitable staff with relevant expertise can be recruited and trained, to run alongside the growth in pupil numbers. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has a detailed risk assessment policy. Risk assessments are in place for aspects which include fire, legionella and grounds maintenance. The risk assessment covers the new building where it has been appropriate to complete this. There is careful consideration of risk, and mitigations are put in place as appropriate.  Individual risk assessments are in place for each pupil. These outline the potential triggers for pupils and the risks associated with these. Steps that staff should take are clearly identified to help mitigate these risks.  Leaders share specific information with the residential care homes that some pupils

p.2

Main inspection findings

access on a daily basis. Leaders use the information to manage and mitigate any pupil-specific risks.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(1)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)– 21(3)(b) and 21(6)  Leaders put appropriate checks in place before adults begin their employment at the school. These checks are in line with current legislation.  The school maintains a comprehensive single central record. It records the checks made of staff, frequent visitors to the school and the proprietor body. This includes the checks made under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 for leaders of the school.  Safer recruitment training is completed by all staff involved in recruitment of new staff.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2), 25–29(1)(b)  The current school premises meet the needs of current pupils and staff at the school. There have been no significant changes to the existing premises since the last inspection. The new building, located adjacent to the existing building, is of a sufficient size to comfortably accommodate the requested increase in pupil numbers if the material change is approved.  There are ample, suitable toilets and washing facilities for pupils. Hot water supplied to the washbasins poses no risk of scalding.  Separate toilet facilities for those with a disability are available. Separate toilet facilities are available in the existing and new building for staff, volunteers and visitors to the school.  A medical room, in the existing building, is appropriately equipped for those who need medical attention. It is in the vicinity of a toilet and includes a washbasin with hot and

p.2

Main inspection findings

cold water for washing. In addition, leaders are installing an additional medical facility in the new building.  Rooms in the new building have lighting installed which provide three levels of lighting which can be adapted to suit the individual needs of pupils using the rooms. Many rooms also have natural lighting. This is provided through large windows or through the installation of skylights. Where this is not possible, ‘sky ceiling tiles’ are installed to provide a feel of natural lighting. Air conditioning units, installed in all rooms, provide heating and ventilation. Rooms have been constructed and furnished to a good standard. The number of rooms is suitable to accommodate up to 25 additional pupils.  Additional specialised rooms provide larger open spaces for the teaching of practical subjects such as art, food technology and science. These areas are well equipped and have washing facilities installed within them.

p.3

Main inspection findings

 Conversion of a large classroom in the new building into a school hall provides tiered seating to accommodate 50 pupils.  External lighting provides safe entry and exit of the school site.  Drinking water is available throughout the site.  There are no specific changing facilities at the school. Leaders use local facilities such as leisure centres and gymnasiums to provide physical education.  The grounds include an all-weather multi use games area and a grassed area and benches which are suitable for pupils to use in their breaktimes.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1)–34(1)(c)  Leaders demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards.  There are effective welfare and safeguarding systems in place. These ensure that the well-being of pupils is well considered.

p.3

Main inspection findings

 Leaders have developed a well-considered plan to increase pupil numbers. Leaders plan to increase numbers gradually over time if the material change request is approved. This is to ensure that staff with relevant expertise can be recruited and inducted into the school. This will help to maintain a good standard of education for all pupils during the period of growth.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

p.3

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.4

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.5

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

School status Independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £58,500 to £68,750

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 November–2 December 2021

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 9 to 20 9 to 20 9 to 20

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 24 50 50

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 24 50

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 24 50

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 24 50

p.6

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 24 50

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 36 To be determined

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 2 To be determined

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

p.6

Information about this school

 Broadlands Hall is registered to admit up to 25 pupils between the ages of nine and 20 years.  All pupils who attend have an education, health and care plan. Most pupils on roll have needs linked to autism spectrum disorder.  The current headteacher has been in post since September 2022.  The school does not use any alternative providers.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to the proprietor’s request to change the school’s registration from 25 pupils currently to 50 pupils. This change was requested as a result of an additional building having been constructed on the current school site.  The purpose of the inspection was to determine whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the requested material change is granted.  The inspector met with the headteacher, curriculum lead teachers and other support staff.  The inspector met with the proprietor to discuss the material change request and progress since the last inspection.  The inspector spoke to a representative from Essex local authority as part of the inspection.  As part of the inspection, policies and documents were scrutinised. This included the fire and health and safety checks, risk assessments, safeguarding records and pre-

p.7

Information about this inspection

employment checks that are made to determine the suitability of staff to work with pupils.

p.7

Inspection team

Wayne Jarvis, 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.7

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.8

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.8

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.8

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.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8