Hardwick House School

School material change inspection report

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190 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3HU

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that the school’s safeguarding policy contains the current statutory guidance. The safeguarding policy is available for parents and carers to download from the school’s website.  Leaders and staff receive frequent and relevant safeguarding training and updates. They are knowledgeable and vigilant to the dangers of, for example, domestic violence, and extremism and radicalisation.  There are clear procedures for staff to follow should they have a safeguarding concern about a pupil or an adult. Leaders record safeguarding concerns and their subsequent actions in detail. They contact external agencies promptly, should the need arise.  Pupils receive a wide range of opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, the comprehensive personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education

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Main inspection findings

curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to learn about being safe when online and the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse. Paragraph 11  The school has appropriate health and safety policies and procedures in place. A specialist company is used to ensure that compliance is consistently maintained. Staff have received relevant first-aid training. Paragraph 12  Leaders have ensured that an appropriate fire risk assessment is in place. Frequent checks are made on fire doors, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and call points. Staff and pupils practise regular emergency evacuation procedures. Staff have received fire warden training.  The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Paragraph 14  Leaders intend to appoint extra teachers to take into account the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Additional support staff will be appointed depending on pupils’ special

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Main inspection findings

educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school’s policy for undertaking risk assessments is appropriate. Some pupils have individualised risk assessments. Staff know to write detailed and specific risk assessments when, for example, supervising pupils on educational visits.  The school is likely to continue to meet these independent school standards (the standards) and requirements if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(3)(b), 21(6)  Leaders have undertaken safer recruitment training. They have a good understanding of their duty to make thorough recruitment checks on any new members of staff.  The proposed new staff will not be permitted to start working at the school until these checks have been completed.  The school does not use the services of supply staff.  The single central record contains the necessary statutory information.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1)–23(1)(c), 28(1)–28(1)(d), 28(2)–28(2)(b)  There are suitable, separate toilet and washing facilities provided for the sole use of pupils.  Pupils can change and access a shower at a local leisure centre when receiving physical education (PE).  Leaders ensure that pupils always have access to drinking water.  The hot water does not pose a risk of scalding. Paragraph 24(1)–24(1)(b), 24(2)  Leaders have ensured that there is suitable accommodation for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. This accommodation is always readily available. Paragraph 25, 26, 27–27(b)  Leaders have ensured that the school premises are clean and maintained to a good standard. As far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.  Learning spaces have appropriate lighting and acoustic conditions. There is external lighting to ensure that pupils, staff and visitors are safe when entering and exiting the

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Main inspection findings

building when it is dark outside. Paragraph 29(1)–29(1)(b)  There is a suitable outdoor space provided. This enables pupils to play and exercise outside, as well as to undertake PE.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  Leaders have a good understanding of the independent school standards. They show good skills and knowledge that are appropriate to their roles. They are experienced in providing high-quality provision for pupils with SEND.  The proprietor has ensured that the executive headteacher and governor body receive detailed information about the school from the headteacher. They also visit the school for themselves to find out at first hand what is happening. They are therefore holding the leaders fully to account for their actions.  The proprietor has engaged the services of experienced, external consultants to ensure that the standards are being consistently met.  The proprietor and leaders undertake a range of activities to ensure that the school promotes pupils’ well-being. There are frequent opportunities for pupils to learn how

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Main inspection findings

to keep themselves safe and become responsible citizens through the comprehensive PSHE education curriculum. All staff have undertaken appropriate safeguarding training and are clear regarding the procedures to follow should they have a concern regarding a pupil’s welfare.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Email address info@hardwickhouseschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10 to 12 December 2019

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 42 52 52

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 42 52 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 42 52

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 42 52

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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 42 52

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 10

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Information about this school

 The school operates from 190 Forest Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3HU.  The school caters for pupils with autism spectrum disorder. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. A variety of local authorities place pupils at the school.  The previous standard inspection took place from 10 to 12 December 2019. The school was judged to be good overall.  The school does not use the services of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, to check the school’s compliance with the standards relevant to the school’s application to make a material change to its provision. This change is to increase the maximum number of pupils permitted to be on the school’s roll from 43 to 52.  The Department for Education, the registration authority for independent schools, commissioned the inspector to inspect the existing premises to ensure that they are appropriate for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The inspector was also commissioned to inspect the provision for the welfare, health and safety of all pupils, including the school’s safeguarding procedures.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other leaders. He toured the school premises and scrutinised documents and policies relating to safeguarding, health and safety, risk assessment and the single central record. He held a meeting with the

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Information about this inspection

executive headteacher in their role as a representative of the proprietor.

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Inspection team

Peter Stonier, 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

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

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

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