Mill House School

School material change inspection report

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Mill House School Old Hall Farm, Whitestitch Lane, Meridan CV7 7JE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(a)  The child protection and safeguarding policy takes account of the most recent government guidance and is available on the school’s website.  The headteacher, who is the designated safeguarding lead (DSL), the proprietor and the deputy DSL have completed a wide range of suitable training in relation to their roles.  Leaders demonstrate the necessary knowledge and understanding to make sure that pupils are kept as safe as possible throughout the school day and beyond.  Staff complete appropriate and in-depth training so that they have the knowledge they need to be able to identify concerns and take swift and appropriate action.  Leaders have ensured that there is a strong culture of safeguarding at the school. Paragraph 11  Leaders have a detailed and fully comprehensive health and safety policy. They work with specialist advisers to ensure that all relevant checks are undertaken and that the

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Main inspection findings

premises are maintained to a high standard. Paragraph 12  Leaders have the appropriate certification to demonstrate that regular fire safety checks are carried out by the relevant authority. Leaders carry out regular fire evacuation practices. After each practice, leaders review how well each evacuation has been conducted and action any additional necessary measures.  A detailed fire risk assessment for the additional premises has been carried out. This assessment has taken account of the needs of the pupils. Paragraph 14  Leaders carefully consider how best to support the needs of individual pupils when they are determining the level of supervision that is required. Leaders have clearly demonstrated that they are able to support the proposed increase in the number of pupils at the school. Paragraphs 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school’s risk assessment policy and procedures are robust. Detailed and purposeful risk assessments clearly identify the risks associated with specific locations

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Main inspection findings

and activities. Risk assessments are carried out by suitably experienced and knowledgeable staff and are reviewed and updated as necessary.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(1), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i),

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Main inspection findings

21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c) and 21(6)  Leaders ensure that all the required checks are carried out before a member of staff is employed to work at the school. The proprietor ensures that the school’s procedures are followed rigorously for all staff appointments.  The single central record of pre-employment checks is comprehensive and up to date. It is checked regularly by the headteacher and the proprietor.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The school is situated in a house on a large rural site. To prepare for the increase in pupil numbers, leaders have created two new learning spaces in the school grounds.

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Main inspection findings

These new learning spaces are portable classrooms. In the first of the two new buildings, there is a classroom space and an accessible toilet with handwashing facilities. The second new building has a classroom space and a storage and office space.  The site is located on extensive grounds where pupils can participate in a wide range of outdoor educational activities. There is suitable external lighting around the site.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders have already developed the school site and educational provision to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. At the time of the material change inspection, there were 20 pupils on roll. Leaders propose to gradually increase this number to 40 pupils. Leaders have demonstrated their commitment to

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Main inspection findings

maintaining the quality of education for all pupils while increasing the number of pupils on roll.  The standards in this part are likely to be 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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Proprietor Special Educational Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £56,000 to £100,000

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School details

Email address wright.m@millhouseschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 12 to 14 July 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 19 11 to 19 11 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 20 40 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 20 40 Number of part-time pupils 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 20 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 20 40

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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 20 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 6 9

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 5 9

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Information about this school

 Mill House School provides education for pupils with high levels of anxiety associated with autism and/or early trauma. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. Many pupils who join the school have missed a substantial amount of schooling.  Places are commissioned by a range of local authorities, including Birmingham, Warwickshire, Solihull, Staffordshire and Coventry.  The school does not make use of alternative providers.  The school does not have a religious ethos.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor body would like to increase the maximum permitted number of pupils on the school roll from 20 to 40 pupils.  The purpose of the inspection was to establish whether the school is likely to meet the relevant standards if the registration authority granted the requested material change.  The inspector met with the proprietor and the headteacher.  The inspector scrutinised the information and policies that are published on the school website.  The inspector met with the DSL to review the school’s arrangements for safeguarding pupils and staff. The inspector looked at the school’s single central record of the checks that leaders carry out before staff are employed to work at the school.  The inspector reviewed additional documentation, including the school’s health and

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Information about this inspection

safety policy, risk assessments and fire safety checks.  The inspector toured the school site with the proprietor and the headteacher. The inspector visited the additional buildings that have been put in place to support the increase in pupil numbers to check that these are compliant with the standards.

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Inspection team

Emma Gater, 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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