Holton Sleaford Independent School

Westgate House, Westgate, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7RJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(b), 32(1) and Part 6 paragraph 32(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that the school’s safeguarding policy is available for parents and carers to download from the school’s website. The safeguarding policy contains current government statutory guidance.  Leaders and staff have received appropriate safeguarding training. This includes training on the ‘Prevent’ duty and the signs and dangers of county lines drug trafficking. Staff know the procedures to follow should they have any safeguarding concerns regarding a pupil or a member of staff.  Leaders record any safeguarding concerns clearly and in detail. Very occasionally, the subsequent actions taken by leaders following a safeguarding concern are not recorded in enough detail.  Leaders contact a wide variety of outside agencies promptly to report their safeguarding concerns and to seek further help and guidance.

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Main inspection findings

 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 to keep themselves safe and become responsible citizens through the comprehensive personal, social, health and economic curriculum. They learn about the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse and how to stay safe when online. Paragraph 9–9(c)  Leaders have ensured that the school’s behaviour policy is appropriate. The policy sets out the rewards and sanctions that are in place in the event of any pupil misbehaviour.  Staff implement the behaviour policy effectively and consistently.  Leaders keep records of pupil misbehaviour and analyse any such incidents. This work helps to identify potential behaviour triggers so that mitigating actions can be taken. The number of incidents of poor behaviour remains the same, despite a recent increase in the number of pupils on the school’s roll.

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Main inspection findings

 The number of physical intervention incidents is falling over time. Leaders and staff have been trained in appropriate de-escalation techniques. The need for physical intervention is seen as a last resort. Paragraph 10  Leaders have ensured that there is an appropriate anti-bullying policy and strategy in place. Pupils say that any bullying incidents are rare and that they trust the staff to deal with these appropriately and fairly. Paragraph 11, 13  The school has an appropriate health and safety policy. It explains to staff, for example, the procedures for fire evacuation, first aid and the administration of medicines. The premises plan informs staff of the location of fire routes, emergency lighting, fuse boxes, drinking water and medical facilities.  Leaders have ensured that there is an appropriate first-aid policy. Staff have received first-aid training, and a number also possess outdoor first-aid certificates. Leaders

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Main inspection findings

keep detailed records of accidents when first aid has been administered. Paragraph 14  Leaders have ensured that pupils are adequately supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff. This includes when pupils are undertaking off-site educational visits. Paragraph 16–16(b)  The school’s policy for undertaking risk assessments is appropriate. Each pupil has their own, bespoke risk assessment. Some have behaviour management plans. Together, these documents help to mitigate the identified risks, for example through the deployment of additional staff.  Leaders use the risk assessments from the venues of any off-site educational visits. They also produce daily cover sheets that inform staff supervising pupils on these visits of any specific additional risks that need to be considered during the day.  The school meets all the requirements of the independent school standards (the standards) that were checked in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(1)–19(2)(d)(ii), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)–21(5)(c), 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 school does not use the services of supply staff.  The single central record contains the necessary statutory information.  The school meets all the requirements of the standards that were checked in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  Leaders have a good understanding of the standards. They show good skills and knowledge that are appropriate to their roles. They are experienced in providing good-quality provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.  By being on site most days, the proprietor monitors leaders and ensures that they are

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Main inspection findings

fulfilling their roles effectively.  The proprietor has put in place an experienced governing body. Governors visit the school frequently to check on leaders’ work and speak with pupils and staff. The governing body is therefore holding the leaders fully to account for their actions.  The school meets all the requirements of the standards in this part.

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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. 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

Type of school Other 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 9

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School details

Proprietor Holton Sleaford Independent School Ltd

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 15 to 17 March 2022

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Information about this school

 Holton Sleaford Independent School caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Some secondary associated needs include behavioural and social difficulties and a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.  The school is registered to provide education for up to 40 pupils. There are currently 40 pupils on the school’s roll.  All pupils have education, health and care plans and are funded by various local authorities.  The school does not use the services of any alternative provisions.  The previous standard inspection took place from 15 to 17 March 2022. The school was judged to be good overall.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned Ofsted to undertake this emergency inspection due to concerns raised regarding the welfare and health and safety of the pupils.  The commission required the inspector to check the provision against standards related to welfare, health and safety of pupils; the suitability of staff; and the quality of leadership and management.  The inspector met with the headteacher, other leaders, staff and pupils. He toured the school premises and scrutinised documents and policies relating to safeguarding, health and safety, risk assessment and pupils’ behaviour.  To inspect the safeguarding arrangements, the inspector checked staff’s training and scrutinised safeguarding records. He checked the single central record and the arrangements for recruiting staff.

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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

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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

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