On Track Education Mildenhall

School material change inspection report

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On Track Education Mildenhall 82e & F Fred Dannatt Road, Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 7RD

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Staff receive regular and relevant training to ensure they know how to spot the signs that a pupil may be at risk from harm. If concerns arise, staff report these to senior leaders without delay.  Designated safeguarding leads have put in place clear systems to check that no concerns fall through the net. If pupils need additional help from external agencies, leaders act swiftly to put this in place. The school’s safeguarding policies and procedures are robust and well understood by all staff.  The independent school standards (the standards) in these paragraphs were met at the previous inspection and are likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 11  Leaders have ensured the relevant health and safety policies are in place. There is a regular cycle of monitoring to ensure the required health and safety checks are carried

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Main inspection findings

out at appropriate intervals. This is the case at both school sites. Checks on the recently renovated building at Swift House have been thorough.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 12  A fire risk assessment is in place at both school sites. Leaders immediately address the minor concerns identified through the fire risk assessment.  Regular fire drills ensure that staff and pupils evacuate buildings in a calm and safe manner. Checks on fire extinguishers and fire alarms are carried out regularly.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 14  Leaders have plans to implement the material change in a careful manner, growing the number of pupils gradually. They are clear that future staffing will be dependent on the needs of the pupils who join the school. There are clear and appropriate plans

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Main inspection findings

to ensure that staff numbers rise to meet the needs of current and future pupils.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has suitable risk assessments in place. These cover the various activities planned to take place at school and when pupils travel and learn off site.  The risk assessments clearly identify and set out sensible mitigations to reduce risk for all. Risk assessments for Swift House are equally as well carried out as they are at the main school site.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1) to 18(3), 19(1) to 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(b)(iii), 21(1) to (21)(8)  The proprietor body has ensured there are robust procedures in place for the safer

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Main inspection findings

recruitment of staff.  Leaders undertake background checks on all adults at the school to ensure their suitability to work with pupils. The record of these checks is up to date and recorded accurately on the school’s single central record.  The proprietor body has ensured that staff who undertake these checks have the knowledge they need to carry out and record checks. In doing so, all statutory guidance is followed.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1) to 23(2), 24(1) to (24)(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1) to 28(2)(b), 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The main school site, and the new site at Swift House, are suitable if the material change is granted.  Swift House has adequate space to accommodate the proposed increase in the number of pupils. The recently renovated building provides a light and welcoming

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Main inspection findings

environment in which pupils can learn. The outside area provides sufficient space for pupils to use in social times. The newly developed allotment area is a pleasant space for pupils to use and grow vegetables. Classrooms are spacious and much natural light is allowed in. There are a suitable number of toilets, washing facilities and medical facilities to provide for the additional pupils. The school has plans to renovate additional rooms in Swift House to further increase the number of pupils in the future. The proprietor body knows that a further material change will need to be requested once the building work is complete.  Similarly, the main school site is appropriate for the number of pupils attending, considering their individual needs. Classrooms are well lit, and pupils benefit from the outdoor space to socialise and exercise in. The medical room is private, washing facilities are accessible and toilets are sufficient in number.

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Main inspection findings

 This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy reflects relevant statutory guidance and is available on the school’s website.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body makes use of a range of external viewpoints to ensure it has an impartial view of the effectiveness of the school. These focus particularly on the quality of education, health and safety and safeguarding.  Leaders have strong systems in place to check that the school consistently meets the standards. They have a secure understanding of the standards that are appropriate to their roles.  Leaders understand the importance of managing any increase in pupil numbers

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Main inspection findings

carefully. They are committed to ensuring that any increase in pupils does not negatively impact the quality of education pupils currently receive.  The proprietor body ensures that the school meets schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved.

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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 On Track Education Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £38,665 to £90,359

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School details

Website www.ontrackeducation.com/mildenhall

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 7 to 9 March 2023

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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 28 45 45

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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 27 45

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 28 45

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 28 45

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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 28 45

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 21 28

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 On Track Education Mildenhall is an independent day special school which opened in April 2005.  The school has opened a second site at Swift House, Quidenham, Norfolk, NR16 2PH. This additional site will cater for the increased number of pupils on roll if the material change is approved by the Department for Education (DfE).  On Track Education Services Limited runs the school. The proprietor body provides the governance of the school.  Pupils are referred by local authorities, typically because they have been excluded from mainstream schools, special schools or pupil referral units. Most pupils have experienced significant disruption to their schooling.  Pupils have education, health and care plans relating to their social, emotional and mental health needs or for autism.  The current headteacher took up the post in November 2020.  The school uses three providers of alternative provision, one of which is registered.

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Information about this school

 The last standard inspection took place in March 2023. At this time, the school was judged as good. All standards were met.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE in response to a request from the proprietor for a material change to be considered.  The school is currently registered for up to 32 pupils. The proprietor has requested that the DfE increase the school’s capacity to 45 pupils. This is the first time that the proprietor has requested this change.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the chair of the proprietor body and members of staff. The inspector checked the school’s single central record of background checks on adults working at the school. The inspector toured both school sites with leaders. A range of documents relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and school development were scrutinised.

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Inspection team

Nathan Lowe, 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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