Novaturient School

School material change inspection report

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Novaturient School 22 Euston Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1EA

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7–7(b)  These independent school standards (the standards) were met when the school was inspected in March 2023. Inspectors judged safeguarding to be effective.  Thorough records are kept of safeguarding and behaviour incidents. These records enable leaders to monitor safeguarding concerns or spot patterns and changes in pupils’ behaviour. This helps leaders put in place appropriate interventions for pupils to reduce the risk of harm, such as further emotional and behaviour therapy or higher levels of supervision around school.  Leaders work closely with a range of different agencies, for instance the local authority children’s services. Leaders refer concerns promptly to relevant organisations so that pupils and their families get appropriate support and guidance.  The proprietor body and governing body meet with leaders regularly to check on the

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Main inspection findings

school’s safeguarding systems and to monitor the success of the various interventions that pupils have received.  Training records indicate that staff receive a range of appropriate training around various safeguarding topics, such as child-on-child abuse, county lines, ‘Prevent’, and how to manage individual pupils’ risk assessments.  A number of staff are trained designated safeguarding leaders. There is sufficient capacity in the safeguarding team to manage the potential small increase in pupil numbers. Paragraph 11, 12, 16  The proprietor body, leaders and the facilities team ensure that the site is well maintained and managed.  An appropriate health and safety policy is in place. There is a robust approach to facilities checks and maintenance. For example, there are regular checks on water quality (including Legionella) fire safety equipment and lighting, as well as regular testing of electrical devices. The proprietor commissions external audits of the

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Main inspection findings

premises and site.  Leaders ensure that the school continues to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  Leaders regularly review all risk assessments. Risk assessments for the building and site, for example, take into account the age of the building and its associated hazards. Leaders regularly review pupils’ individual risk assessments. Leaders ensure that this information is accurate and reflects pupils’ behaviours and potential safeguarding risks. Consequently, risk assessments associated with trips and visits, for instance, ensure appropriate levels of pupil supervision. Risk assessments show how leaders consider carefully how they keep pupils and staff safe.  At the time of the inspection, the building was undergoing repairs and further work to ensure that all classrooms are ready for the new academic year. This work, and its associated risks, are well managed by leaders.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 14  Leaders ensure that pupils have appropriate staff support and supervision on and off the school site. This is tightly linked to pupils’ individual risk assessments.  Staffing is shared with the school’s sister site. Staff move between both of the sites. Leaders ensure that there is an appropriate number of safeguarding leaders at each school.  The proposed numbers of staff is appropriate to maintain similar levels of supervision should the increase in pupil numbers be granted.  If the material change is granted, the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–21(7)(b)  These standards were met when the school was inspected in March 2023.  The proprietor body and leaders ensure that appropriate pre-employment checks on staff, including supply staff, are in place. Leaders know and implement the statutory guidance on safer recruitment. The single central record shows that the necessary checks are undertaken on staff prior to employment.  Leaders have clear processes for managing any potential allegations against adults.  Effective induction processes ensure that all new staff are trained in the school’s approach to safeguarding and managing pupils’ behaviour.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the material change is granted. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–31(c)  These standards were met when the school was inspected in March 2023.

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Main inspection findings

 The potential increase in pupil numbers requires an additional classroom. This classroom is already available in the original school building. Classrooms are arranged over three different floors in the building, with some in the basement. All classrooms, including those in the basement, have suitable space, light and acoustics. Classrooms are bright and well ventilated. Windows on the higher floors can open but have suitable safety restrictors in place. Fire escape routes are clearly marked. Pupils access a suitably sized canteen and well-kept, secure outside spaces. The building as a whole has sufficient space for the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  Each floor has a number of toilet and washing facilities, including space for pupils to get changed separately and shower if necessary. Drinking water is available around the school building, including in the small kitchen areas that pupils can safely access.

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Main inspection findings

Hot water is not a scalding risk and the temperature is regularly checked by the facilities team.  There is a suitably resourced medical room with lockable medical cabinet available for the storage of pupils’ medication.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is granted.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The standards in this part were met when the school was inspected in March 2023.  The safeguarding policy on the school’s website is up to date. The policy clearly outlines the school’s procedures and processes for dealing with safeguarding concerns.  This standard is likely to remain met if the material change is granted. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1)–34(1)(b)  Leaders ensured that all of the standards were met when the school was inspected in March 2023.  A new headteacher is starting in the school from September 2023. The outgoing headteacher, under the direction of the proprietor body, is working closely with the new headteacher to hand over the school’s processes and systems. This is to prevent any gaps in provision during this transition time.  The proprietor body, supported by leaders and robust school systems, continues to

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Main inspection findings

have the appropriate knowledge and understanding to ensure pupils’ and staff health, safety and well-being. This is likely to be maintained should the proposed changes in pupil numbers be granted.  The proprietor body and leaders continue to ensure that all standards are likely to be met, should the material change be granted.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 14 to 16 March 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 18 23 23

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 18 23

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 18 23

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 18 23

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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 18 23

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 3

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 6

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Information about this school

 The school currently provides education for up to 18 pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.  Many have had significant gaps in their education before coming to this school.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school does not use alternative provision.  Staff work across both this school and the other owned by the same proprietor, Ness Point School, in Lowestoft.  A new headteacher has been appointed to start in September 2023.  The school was inspected in March 2023 and judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection took place during the summer holiday. As a result, the inspector did not meet with pupils or with staff.  The inspector met with proprietor, the current headteacher, the deputy headteacher and the facilities manager.  The inspector toured the school site with leaders. He scrutinised health and safety records, risk assessments and the records of regular maintenance checks.  The inspector checked the single central record of recruitment and vetting checks. He met with leaders to discuss safeguarding and review safeguarding and behaviour records.  This is the first time the proprietor body has applied for this specific material change.

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Inspection team

Damian Loneragan, 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

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