Tadley Court School

School material change inspection report

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Tadley Court School Tadley Common Road, Tadley, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG26 3TB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7–7(b), 11, 12, 14, 16–16(b), 32(1)(c)  Safeguarding is given the highest priority at Tadley Court. The proprietor body and leaders understand very clearly the additional vulnerabilities that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can have. This includes risks that they may encounter online and offline. Safeguarding procedures and records show that leaders work effectively with parents, carers and external agencies.  Leaders are knowledgeable about their responsibilities with respect to protecting and promoting the welfare, health and safety of pupils and staff. All new staff complete a comprehensive catalogue of safeguarding training. This includes specific training about the ‘Prevent’ duty and online safety. Staff also benefit from the weekly safeguarding briefings, where leaders share and discuss scenarios. They understand

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Main inspection findings

what to do to report their concerns about pupils.  The school’s detailed health and safety policy outlines the key roles and responsibilities for health and safety in the school. Suitable written procedures ensure that checks of the school’s site and equipment comply with legal and statutory requirements. The building and the recently refurbished classrooms are well maintained.  The proprietor body has systems and procedures in place to ensure that the school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Leaders ensure that all fire checks are routinely undertaken to maintain equipment. A fire risk assessment is in place which has been completed by external specialists. Fire extinguishers, alarms and other equipment are all suitably maintained. Regular fire drills take place to ensure that everyone knows the evacuation procedures in the event of a fire.  Levels of supervision are high. Much of the teaching is carried out on a one-to-one

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Main inspection findings

basis or in very small groups. Leaders have also thought carefully about how pupils currently attending the school will be affected by the proposed increase in numbers. They intend to increase pupil numbers gradually.  The school has put in place a range of appropriate written risk assessments. These documents reflect current legislation and are reviewed regularly by the proprietor body. There are bespoke risk assessments in place for each pupil. Staff monitor the individual pupil risk assessments closely and amend them as required.  The standards in part 3 are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)(a)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)– 21(7)(b)  The single central record meets statutory requirements. The headteacher has appointed new teachers and some support staff for the anticipated increase in pupil numbers. Appropriate recruitment and suitability checks have been completed for all staff and members of the proprietor body.  Where the school employs the services of supply staff, leaders carry out meticulous checks and procedures.  Leaders have a strong understanding of safer recruitment procedures.  The standards in part 4 are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1) –23(1)(c), 24(1)–24(2), 25–29(1)(b)  The proprietor body has recently repurposed and refurbished some of the existing residential accommodation to create new classrooms. These will facilitate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The new classrooms have been adapted and finished to a high standard and provide suitable accommodation to cater for the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  Classrooms are well ventilated, bright and airy. They have suitable heating, lighting and acoustics. Fire escape routes are signposted clearly. Internal and external lighting is in place throughout.  The school building includes offices and additional spaces for therapy sessions and food technology.  There are suitable toilet facilities throughout, with hot and cold running water for handwashing. The temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk.

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Main inspection findings

Drinking water is readily available and is labelled as such. Current pupils also have their own water bottles, which are refilled as required.  The building has plenty of showers and changing facilities to cater for the needs of pupils attending the school. The medical room is suitably equipped, including a bed, a locked cabinet for medication and first-aid kits. A toilet and sink are located close by.  The school’s large playgrounds provide ample space for physical education. The vast outdoor areas provide pupils with plenty of space to relax, play and socialise in a peaceful and quiet setting. The school’s attractive gardens are divided into different areas for a range of purposes, including mature gardens, a hard-surfaced area for games, large sensory play areas and several communal spaces.  Outdoor spaces are well maintained and secure. The proprietor body has installed a substantial gate which prevents anyone from entering or leaving the premises without

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Main inspection findings

permission.  The standards in part 5 are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has considerable expertise and experience of working with pupils with SEND and managing specialist settings, including for pupils with autism. They articulate a clear purpose and vision to ensure that the right provision for the school’s vulnerable pupils is in place. This underpins their rationale for their request for a material change.  The headteacher, senior staff and the head of quality (education) provide robust oversight of the school on behalf of the proprietor body. They know the independent school standards well and review their implementation regularly.  Leaders demonstrate passion and commitment to meeting the needs of pupils with SEND. They maintain strong communication with the local authorities that commission places at the school.  The standards in part 8 are likely to be met if the proposed material change is

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has created an appropriate accessibility plan for the premises. The school meets the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Proprietor Aspris Children’s Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £88,561 to £137,881

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School details

Website www.aspriscs.co.uk/find-a-location/tadley- court-school-hampshire Email address tadleycourtreception@aspriscs.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 22 to 24 November 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 19 4 to 19 4 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 65 89 89

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 65 89

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 65 89

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 65 89

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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 65 89

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 17 22

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 32 42

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Information about this school

 Tadley Court is an independent special school for pupils with autism and severe learning difficulties. Many have associated speech, language and communication difficulties. All pupils have an education, health and care plan and are referred to the school by a number of local authorities.  Governance of the school is provided by officers employed by the proprietor body who report to the board of directors.  The school’s last standard inspection took place in November 2022, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be good.  At the time of this material change inspection, the headteacher had been in post for three weeks.  The school does not currently use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor body had applied to make changes to the school’s registration. The proprietor body wishes to increase the admission numbers. This was the first material change inspection for this application.  The school operates from a single site with extensive grounds. Some of the pupils live in children’s homes that are owned and run by Aspris Care Services.  Since the last standard inspection, the building has undergone renovation work, including the refurbishment of classrooms for the material change.  The inspector reviewed a range of documents prior to the inspection, including information provided on the school’s website.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the chief operating officer (who is also the chair of the proprietor body), the head of quality (education) and senior leaders. She toured the school premises, including the refurbished classrooms, with the

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Information about this inspection

headteacher.  The inspector checked policies, records and documentation relating to the specific independent school standards in scope for this inspection, including the single central record and the safeguarding policy.

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Inspection team

Shazia Akram, 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

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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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