Cambian New Elizabethan School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Cambian New Elizabethan School Quarry Bank, Hartlebury DY11 7TE

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(e)  At the time of the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that the curriculum was clearly sequenced. Teachers were unclear about the knowledge pupils needed to learn and how this would build on what they had learned before. As a result, learning was not well connected, and pupils were not achieving as well as they should.  Since the previous progress monitoring visit, leaders have worked swiftly to address the issues raised. Leaders have carried out a thorough review of the curriculum. Following this, they have ensured that all subjects have carefully considered subject action plans. Leaders monitor the impact of these plans regularly to check that proposed actions are being implemented.  Leaders have ensured that the schemes of work in each subject are carefully sequenced and build on what pupils have learned before.

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Main inspection findings

 Teachers take into account pupils’ individual needs when planning learning. They know pupils well and ensure that they carefully check what pupils can and cannot do and adapt learning accordingly.  Since the last inspection, leaders have implemented a new phonics scheme. All staff have been trained in this approach. Pupils have access to books that match the sounds they know. However, leaders are continuing to widen the breadth of these books.  At the time of the last inspection, inspectors found that there was variability in terms of how well support staff helped pupils with their learning. Leaders have addressed this by ensuring that all staff receive training on how to support pupils in lessons. All support staff receive planning in advance to ensure they have a clear overview of what and how pupils will be learning. Leaders have also revised where they place support staff. Support staff who have strengths in certain subject areas work with pupils within this subject,

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Main inspection findings

because their subject knowledge is strong.  Leaders have introduced a new approach to assessment. They have ensured that all staff have had training and guidance in this approach. Teachers now carefully check how well pupils understand and remember what they learn. Teachers then plan activities to address any gaps or misconceptions.  The previously unmet independent school standards (the standards) in this part are now met Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), (32)(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date and covers the most recent guidance from the Department for Education (DfE). The policy is available on the school’s website.  The recruitment of staff continues to be effective. The checks made on staff are detailed and the single central record is up to date.  These standards continue to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  At the time of the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that the standards were consistently met. There were weaknesses in curriculum design, staff’s subject knowledge and the support given to pupils with gaps in their phonic knowledge.  Since then, the proprietor has appointed a new deputy headteacher with oversight of the curriculum, an English leader and a phonics leader. This has helped to speed up the rate of curriculum development.  Leaders have sought support from a school improvement partner to work with leaders on aspects of school improvement. Subject leaders have begun to work collaboratively with colleagues from other schools to support subject development.  The way that the proprietor holds leaders to account is more effective. This means that the proprietor and leaders have a more accurate picture of the school’s effectiveness.  Leaders have worked quickly to address the previously unmet standards for this part.

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Main inspection findings

 These standards are now met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has a suitable accessibility plan that fulfils the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

School status Independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 7

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £66,300 to £103,851

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School details

Website www.cambiangroup.com/specialist- education/our-schools/autism-schools/new- elizabethan-school/ Email address sara.ferguson@cambiangroup.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 5 to 7 April 2022

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Information about this school

 The previous standard inspection took place on 5 to 7 April 2022.  Cambian New Elizabethan School is an independent special day school. All pupils on roll have an education, health and care plan. The school caters mainly for pupils with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The inspection was carried out without notice.  This was the school’s second progress monitoring inspection following the full standard inspection that took place on 5 to 7 April 2022. The DfE required the school to prepare an action plan – this was statutory. Ofsted evaluated this action plan on 14 December 2022. The DfE rejected the school’s action plan.  During the inspection, the inspector met with the headteacher and both deputy headteachers. The inspector also met with the proprietor’s representative.  The inspector scrutinised safeguarding policies and procedures including the school’s

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Information about this inspection

single central record.  The inspector visited lessons, listened to a selection of pupils read and scrutinised pupils’ workbooks. The inspector also met with a group of teachers and spoke with pupils throughout the day.

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Inspection team

Eve Morris, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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