Jasmine Hall School

School material change inspection report

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51 Ashbourne Road, Derby, Derbyshire DE22 3FS Inspection date 27 September 2023

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7–7(b) and paragraphs 32(1) and 32(1)(c) in Part 8  Keeping pupils safe is a key priority in this school. Leaders, the proprietor, governors and staff have all had recent training so that they understand their safeguarding responsibilities.  Leaders know the pupils well. They are aware of local issues that may affect pupils. They use daily briefings to update staff about any changes to pupils’ circumstances.  Staff know how to spot that pupils may be at risk of harm. They use ‘nagging’ or ‘serious’ concern forms to let leaders know if they are worried. Leaders respond promptly to these concerns and inform staff about the actions they take. When necessary, leaders engage with external organisations so that pupils and their families get the right support.  Pupils feel safe and well looked after. They say that they trust staff. Pupils appreciate

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Main inspection findings

how staff listen and take their worries seriously.  Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe. They understand how to look after their mental health and discuss healthy relationships. Leaders sometimes modify the curriculum when pupils need particular guidance.  Some pupils complete some of their studies away from the school site at other provisions. School staff always accompany the pupils to these settings. Staff also check daily on pupils who follow a part-time programme to make sure that they are safe.  There are secure systems in place to share safeguarding information when pupils move to other educational providers.  Leaders are aware of recent changes to the national safeguarding guidance. For example, they have recently improved the school’s online monitoring and filtering processes.  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. It is up to date and in line with current national guidance.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 11–12  Leaders follow a detailed programme of health and safety checks. They carry out any maintenance work quickly. They seek guidance from external professionals when necessary. Leaders intend to apply the existing health and safety procedures to the proposed additional premises if the material change is accepted.  Leaders make sure that the fire safety equipment is in good working order. In the event of a fire, clear signs indicate how to evacuate the building and where pupils should assemble. Leaders swiftly rectify any issues identified by the school’s annual fire risk assessment.  All staff complete health and safety and fire safety training as part of their induction when they start working at the school. Paragraph 14  Staff supervision ratios are high both in school and when pupils take part in off-site activities. Leaders intend to maintain these levels of supervision if the proposed

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Main inspection findings

increase in pupil numbers is approved. Paragraphs 16–16(b)  The risk assessment policy provides guidance about how to assess risk for individual pupils, for the school site and for any off-site activities. The policy specifies how often risk assessments should be reviewed.  Pupils’ risk assessments are specific to each individual. They identify possible risks to the pupils and strategies to mitigate these risks. The risk assessments are updated whenever there is a change to pupils’ circumstances.  Staff access risk assessments on the school’s shared online system. They know that they are expected to read any risk assessments that are relevant to their role.  The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards (the standards) checked in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6)–20(6)(c), 21(1)– 21(3)(b), 21(5)–21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c) and 21(6)  Leaders complete suitable checks when new staff are appointed to positions at the school. Leaders do these checks before the new staff start working with pupils.  Leaders keep a detailed record of the recruitment checks they complete on the school’s single central record.  Leaders know the information they must request from agencies, should they need to employ supply staff.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)–23(1)(c), and 28(1)–28(2)(b)  There are suitable toilets available for the sole use of pupils. There is an accessible toilet at one of the sites for use by pupils with disabilities. Each toilet is in its own

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Main inspection findings

lockable room and has its own washing facilities, with hot and cold running water.  There is a shower for pupils to use at the current premises. Pupils attending school at the proposed additional premises would also be able to use this shower, since the two sites are in close proximity.  The hot water supplied to the toilet and shower facilities does not pose a risk of scalding.  Pupils have access to drinking water, which is marked as such. Paragraphs 24(1)–24(1)(b)  There are rooms set aside for the medical examination and treatment of pupils, with one such room located at each site. Each room contains suitable first-aid equipment and a washing facility. Each room is near to a toilet. Paragraphs 25–27(b)  The current premises and the proposed additional premises are both well maintained throughout. Teaching spaces are spacious, organised and well resourced.  The proposed additional premises have been renovated so that the accommodation is

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Main inspection findings

suitable. These premises provide sufficient room for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Leaders intend to purchase more furniture for these premises, as required.  The acoustics in each room are suitable. Most rooms benefit from natural light, and others are well lit. External lighting to the front and the rear of each building makes it safe when pupils enter or leave. Paragraphs 29(1)–29(1)(b)  There is plenty of outdoor space at each site where pupils can exercise, relax and interact with each other. These spaces are enhanced by play equipment and gardening activities.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1)–4(1)(c)  Leaders and the proprietor have a good understanding of the standards. They have acted to make sure that the school is likely to continue to meet the standards that were checked during this inspection if the material change is approved.  Staff morale is high. They feel well supported by leaders and the proprietor. Staff appreciate having the time to get to know the pupils and to build relationships.  The proprietor has a close oversight of the school. They often work alongside leaders in school. This means that they know what is working well and how things can improve. The proprietor welcomes challenge and support from professionals external to the school to help it improve.  The proposed increase in pupil numbers is in response to a growing demand for special school places. However, the proprietor is clear that they do not want the

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Main inspection findings

school to grow too fast. They want to make sure that they employ suitable staff and have the right resources in place to meet the needs of an increased number of pupils across two sites. This measured approach will help leaders maintain the school’s strong team spirit.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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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 Smooth Stone Care and Education Limited

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School details

Website www.smoothstonecare.co.uk/jasmine-hall- school Email address daniel.pallett@smoothstonecare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 September 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 11 to 18 11 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 16 32 32

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 14 32

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 16 32

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 16 Up to 32

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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 16 Up to 32

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 2

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Information about this school

 Jasmine Hall School is an independent special school. The proprietor of the school is Smooth Stone Care and Education Limited.  There are currently 16 pupils on the school’s roll. This is the maximum number of pupils for which the school is registered to provide education.  The school caters for pupils with a diagnosis of autism and for pupils with a range of associated social, emotional, speech, language and communication needs.  All pupils who attend the school have an education, health and care plan.  Pupils’ places at the school are commissioned by local authorities.  The school currently works with one unregistered alternative provision  The school received a standard inspection from 21 to 23 September 2022.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned this material change inspection in response to the school’s request to increase the number of approved pupil places from 16 to 32. This was the school’s first material change inspection for the proposed change.  The school intends to educate the additional 16 pupils in new premises that are located at 35 Ashbourne Road, Derby, Derbyshire DE22 3FS. These additional premises are very close to the school’s existing site.  The inspector considered the suitability of the school’s provision in relation to: the arrangements for safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment; supervision of pupils; recruitment of staff; the suitability of the premises and accommodation; and the quality of leadership and management.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietorial board and two directors. She spoke with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and some staff. She also met

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Information about this inspection

with some pupils.  The inspector reviewed policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment. She scrutinised the school’s single central record.  The inspector undertook a tour of the school’s current premises and the premises at the proposed second site.

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Inspection team

Rachel Tordoff, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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