Cedar House School

School material change inspection report

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Cedar House School Low Bentham, Via Lancaster, North Yorkshire LA2 7DD

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7a,7b, 8, 8a and 8b  Safeguarding pupils is a key priority. Staff receive regular training, including weekly bulletins from the designated safeguarding lead (DSL). New staff receive safeguarding training and induction before they work with pupils.  Should a pupil share a concern with staff, adults are clear about the importance of reporting this as soon as possible. Staff are aware that their teaching duties will be covered while they report the concern.  Staff have received training on how to write up their concerns; this results in entries on the school’s online safeguarding system being detailed and accurate.  The DSL is well trained and carries out her role diligently. This work is well regarded by external agencies.  The school’s safeguarding policy is readily available to pupils, parents and carers through the school website or as a paper copy from the school office.

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Main inspection findings

 The DSL works closely with the safeguarding lead for residential pupils who attend the school. This ensures that the same, high level of care is maintained in both the school and residential facility.  These standards are likely to be met 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)(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(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), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c) and 21(6)  The school has a single central register which details the full range of pre-employment checks to be carried out on all staff and the proprietorial body. These include checks on staff who have worked abroad and checks on whether teachers and support staff

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Main inspection findings

have been prohibited from teaching.  Leaders and staff who are involved in the recruitment of new staff have completed safer recruitment training. Discussion with school leaders shows that this guidance is diligently put into practice when new staff are appointed.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

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, 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)

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Main inspection findings

 The school has recently redeveloped parts of its estate. The clinical staff have a new suite of rooms in the centre of the school buildings. This has enabled leaders to develop a new classroom in readiness for their anticipated increase in pupil numbers.  The school has several well-appointed blocks of rooms which are used for pupils of different ages. Primary classrooms are in a different building to secondary classrooms. Each part of the school has sufficient toilets and handwashing facilities to meet pupils’ needs.  The water temperature was checked in handwashing areas and in sinks in classrooms. While the water was the correct temperature in the majority of locations, the water temperature in the school’s hair salon was too hot. The maintenance team checked the boiler and valves immediately and found that one of the multi-function water valves was faulty. The part was ordered and the maintenance log showed a repair

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Main inspection findings

would be carried out the next day.  Drinking water is available from the kitchen and through water fountains located around the school. Signs near taps indicate which are to be used for drinking water.  The school has an on-site nurse who is based in the medical room. The nurse checks the contents of all first aid boxes across the school. Those checked as part of the inspection contained a wide range of in-date supplies. The school has an on-site defibrillator. The school’s on-site nurse is trained to use this equipment.  The school has sufficient outside space to allow all pupils to play outside. Physical education is delivered in a large, purpose-built sports hall. There are also several outdoor multi-purpose sports facilities.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(b) and 34(1)(c)

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders and the proprietor have ensured that all the standards checked in this inspection have been met. A very recent inspection of residential care graded the leadership team as outstanding.  Pupils spoken to said they felt happy, safe and secure in school. The headteacher and deputy headteacher know their pupils well. This could clearly be seen by the positive way pupils spoke to the leadership team as they walked around school.  A key leadership priority is to actively promote pupils’ welfare and social skills. An example of how this priority is promoted can be seen when staff and pupils eat lunch together. Staff model good behaviour and manners. Pupils emulate them as they chat happily and queue politely, taking turns to be served.  Leaders know their school well. A well-thought-out plan is in place to support the school’s application to increase pupil numbers from 88 to 96. The school’s aim is to

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Main inspection findings

increase the number of places for primary pupils as there is currently a high demand for places for younger pupils and the school has a strong record of success with their current group of primary pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an accessibility plan in place which shows how the school is developing fair access for all pupils.

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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

School status Independent residential special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £66,540 to £92,000

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School details

Website https://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our/loc ations/our-schools/cedar-house-school/ Email address cedar-house@witherslackgroup.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28 to 30 June 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 18 7 to 18 7 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 88 96 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 88 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 88 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 88 96

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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 88 96

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 86 90

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 24 24

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Information about this school

 Cedar House School is a residential special school for pupils aged seven to 18 years with social, emotional and mental health needs. Some pupils who attend the school have additional needs including autism, attention and hyperactive disorders, and moderate learning difficulties.  Cedar House is part of the Witherslack Group, which owns a large group of schools across the United Kingdom.  The school does not have a religious denomination.  The school currently uses one registered provider of alternative provision and one unregistered provider.  The school’s previous inspection took place in June 2022.

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Inspection team

Marian Thomas, lead inspector Ofsted 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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