The Seeds School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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The Seeds School Unit 6, The Bridges Business Park, Horsehay, Telford, Shropshire TF4 3EE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12, 16, 16(b)  At the time of the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that both school sites complied with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Since then, leaders have commissioned a fire-risk assessment and have ensured that actions have been addressed. Records of fire-safety checks are detailed and well organised, including checks on firefighting equipment, emergency lighting, alarm points and emergency exits.  All portable appliance testing has now been completed and is up to date.  Leaders have commissioned a commercial company to ensure that there are appropriate systems in place to confirm the safety of the water system. In addition to this, site staff carry out weekly checks.  Leaders ensure that the health and safety policy is fully implemented.  Leaders have introduced a robust quality assurance process to ensure that any pupils

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Main inspection findings

attending alternative providers are safe since the previous inspection. The school receives weekly reports from the alternative providers on pupils’ attendance, progress and safeguarding. First-day absence procedures are in place so that school leaders know if a pupil is absent.  These previously unmet independent school standards (the standards) are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(c)  The previous inspection identified that suitable changing accommodation and showers were not made available to pupils aged 11 years old or over who receive physical education at one of the sites. This has now been addressed, and changing and showering facilities are available at both sites.  This previously unmet standard is now met. Paragraph 25  This standard was not met at the previous standard inspection because leaders had not ensured that procedures for fire safety, water safety and portable appliance testing were up to date. Since then, leaders have introduced robust procedures to ensure that the site is well maintained and that the health and safety of pupils is ensured.  This previously unmet standard is now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Part 8 was not met at the standard inspection in July 2022 because leaders had not ensured that all the independent school standards were consistently met. Since that time, leaders have instituted a new regime for monitoring and checking all aspects of health and safety and site maintenance.  These previously unmet standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an 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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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

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 5 to 7 July 2022

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was in July 2022.  The Seeds School is an independent day school for pupils aged 14 to 16 years old. The school offers places to pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Pupils are referred to the school from placing local authorities, including Telford and Wrekin, Shropshire and Staffordshire.  The school operates from two sites, one in Telford and one in Walsall. The school makes use of three unregistered alternative providers.

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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.  Inspectors held discussions with school leaders to review the progress made against the previously unmet independent school standards.  Inspectors held meetings with leaders responsible for safeguarding and reviewed the single central record of checks made about the suitability of adults at the school.  Inspectors toured the school’s premises, scrutinised health and safety documentation and sampled risk assessments.  The headteacher and proprietor were not present during the inspection.  This inspection was conducted without notice.

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Inspection team

Emma Gater, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–  7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and  7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[1].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–  16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–  23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.  25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

1.  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; and  34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

Arrangements are made to meet the requirements of paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. 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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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