Holton Sleaford Independent School

School material change inspection report

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Westgate House, Westgate, Sleaford NG34 7RJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b) and 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Leaders responsible for safeguarding act swiftly to respond to any concerns brought to their attention about pupils’ welfare. They ensure that pupils receive the right support at the right time. Safeguarding leaders work with external agencies when it is appropriate to secure this support.  Senior leaders meet daily with safeguarding leaders to discuss current safeguarding concerns. This provides opportunities for leaders to check the appropriateness of actions taken to support pupils about whom there are welfare concerns.  Staff receive regular safeguarding training. They know the signs to look for that may indicate concerns about pupils’ welfare. They know to be vigilant and to pass on to safeguarding leaders any concerns they may have.  Daily briefings, both before and after the school day, enable leaders to share any

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Main inspection findings

safeguarding information with staff. These meetings also provide staff with opportunities to reflect on their practice to keep pupils safe.  Leaders are aware of risks in the area that may affect pupils’ welfare. They provide appropriate information to help staff to support pupils who encounter such risks.  Staff know how to raise any concerns they may have about the actions of adults towards pupils.  Pupils say that they feel safe. They say that they have staff whom they can approach if they have a concern. They are confident that staff will listen to, and help, them.  Pupils learn how to be safe, including when they are online. They learn about making positive choices, including in relation to healthy living.  The school’s safeguarding policy is available on the school’s website. Paragraphs 11 and 12  Appropriate health and safety and fire safety policies are in place.  Leaders undertake regular health and safety and fire safety checks. They also engage

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Main inspection findings

with professionals external to the school to undertake such checks. Leaders act to resolve any concerns these checks may identify. Paragraph 14  There are sufficient numbers of staff to ensure appropriate supervision of pupils.  Leaders have appropriate plans in place to increase the number of staff as the number of pupils increases, should the school receive approval for the material change. This increase in staff includes the recruitment of additional senior leaders and support staff. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  An appropriate risk assessment policy is in place. It provides guidance as to what constitutes risk and how staff should consider reducing any identified risks.  Risk assessments for off-site activities identify the risks associated with the specific activity. Each time such an activity takes place, these risk assessments are supplemented by a further risk assessment that identifies the pupils taking part and

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Main inspection findings

any risks they may present, including as a result of their behaviours and additional needs. These risk assessments combined provide appropriate control measures to help reduce identified risks associated with the activity and the pupils taking part.  Leaders maintain behaviour management plans for individual pupils. These identify risky behaviours pupils may present with. They also advise as to the strategies staff can use to de-escalate occasions when pupils struggle to manage their behaviour. These plans are reviewed on a termly basis, or every time pupils present with new, risky behaviours.  The school is likely to continue to meet the requirements of 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) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b) and 21(6)  Leaders undertake appropriate checks to assess the suitability of new staff. These checks take place before new staff begin to work at the school.  These checks are recorded on the school’s single central record.  The school does not use supply or agency staff.  The school is likely to continue to meet the requirements of the standards checked in this part if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c) and 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  There are toilets available that are for the sole use of pupils. There are adequate supplies of hot and cold water. The hot water does not pose a scalding risk to pupils.  There is a shower at the main school site. Secondary-aged pupils who will use the additional school site when it is opened will make use of showers at a local sports

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Main inspection findings

centre, should they wish.  Drinking water, marked as such, is readily available to pupils. Paragraph 24(1) to 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  There is a medical room available at each site for the short-term care of pupils who are ill. These rooms are also used for other purposes. However, they are always readily available for pupils who may feel unwell. The other purposes for which these rooms are used do not include teaching of any sort. Paragraph 25  Leaders maintain the registered premises to an acceptable standard to ensure pupils’ welfare and health and safety.  The proposed additional site is in the process of being refurbished. Leaders have a detailed plan of action with clear dates of intended work to ensure that the site is fully compliant in relation to health and safety and fire safety. Paragraphs 26 to 27(b)  The lighting and the acoustics at both sites are appropriate. Paragraph 29 to 29(1)(b)  There are outdoor spaces at both sites for pupils to use in their social time and to

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Main inspection findings

undertake outdoor activities.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards checked 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 Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that leaders have the necessary knowledge of the standards.  Leaders have ensured that those standards checked during this inspection are likely to be met, should the proposed material change be approved.  The proprietor understands their statutory duties in relation to ensuring pupils’ welfare and safety.  Leaders have clear plans in place to ensure that the school can accommodate the proposed increase in pupils on its main site. They have ensured that there is sufficient space in the different teaching areas to accommodate the additional pupils. They have also planned for the recruitment of additional leaders and support staff so that there is sufficient supervision as the number of pupils increases.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards checked in this part if the

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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

Proprietor Holton Sleaford Independent School

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School details

Website www.holtonsleafordindependentschool.co.uk

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School details

Email address enquiries@holtonsleafordindependentschool .co.uk Date of previous standard inspection 15 to 17 March 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 12 to 19 12 to 20 12 to 20

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 40 50 50

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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 40 Up to 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 40 Up to 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 40 Up to 50

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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 40 Up to 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 8 8

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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.  The school is registered to provide education for up to 40 pupils. There are currently 40 pupils on the school’s roll.  The school is currently operating outside its registration status in relation to the age range of pupils that the school is currently registered to teach. The age range of pupils currently on the school’s roll is 12 to 20.  All pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan and are funded by various local authorities.  The school is currently developing additional premises located at Ensign House, High Street, Osbournby NG34 0DG. These premises are not currently being used. They are intended for the teaching and care of pupils in Years 5 to 8. The proprietor intends to

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Information about this school

submit a further application for a material change to the age range of pupils the school is permitted to have on roll, so that pupils in these year groups can be admitted. The additional site will not be used until such time as the school receives permission to implement this further material change.  The school does not use the services of any alternative provisions.  The previous standard inspection took place from 15 to 17 March 2019. The school was judged to be good overall.  An emergency inspection of the school took place on 18 July 2023. The school was judged to be meeting all the standards that were checked as part of that inspection.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, to check the school’s likely compliance with the standards relevant to the proposed changes to the age range and the maximum number of pupils that the school is permitted to have on roll.  This was the school’s first material change inspection for this proposed change to the provision.  The Department for Education commissioned the inspector to inspect the suitability of the school’s provision in relation to: policies and procedures relating to 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 proprietors, the headteacher, other leaders and some staff.  The inspector met informally with some pupils.  The inspector undertook a tour of the school’s site and the proposed additional site .

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector considered school documentation in relation to recruitment, safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment.  The inspector looked at the school’s single central record and the system for undertaking checks on new staff.

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Inspection team

Simon Hollingsworth, 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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