Glebedale School

School material change inspection report

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Grove Road, Heron Cross, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 3AY

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b), and paragraph 32(1)(c) of part 6 (Provision of information)  The school has a suitable safeguarding policy in place. This policy pays due regard to the latest guidance issued by the Secretary of State. It is published on the school website.  Leaders have completed appropriate safeguarding and safer recruitment training.  The school has a good understanding of how to keep pupils safe and recognises the potential risks that they face. Staff receive a range of appropriate training. They record concerns in a timely manner. Records show that leaders respond swiftly when concerns are raised. They refer to external agencies when required and follow up concerns to ensure that pupils and their families are given appropriate support. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16(a) and 16(b)  There is a suitable health and safety policy in place. All the relevant checks are made

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Main inspection findings

so that the premises are maintained to a high standard. These include checks on water temperatures, emergency lighting, electrical equipment and carbon monoxide levels.  External companies are used to carry out audits and risk assessments. They provide specialist advice and make recommendations where needed. The site manager is suitably competent to follow up on many of the recommended actions. Where specialist services are required, the proprietor body ensures that recommendations are actioned.  The premises have recently had a fire risk assessment, and there is appropriate equipment in place. Fire drills take place regularly, and there is clear signage around the school to support safe exit from the school in the case of a fire. Leaders have ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  There is a comprehensive risk assessment policy that clearly outlines the process for

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Main inspection findings

carrying out a risk assessment.  Appropriate risk assessments are in place for a full range of activities that take place both on and off the school site. These demonstrate a thorough approach to risk assessments. Paragraph 14  There is currently a high staff–pupil ratio in the school. There are enough staff to accommodate the needs of additional pupils. Leaders intend to increase staff numbers further over time so that these ratios are maintained. Leaders are acutely aware of the need to deploy staff effectively to meet pupils’ needs. They will ensure that appropriate numbers of staff with relevant experience and expertise are in place before admitting additional pupils.  The proprietor body has ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) grants the material change.

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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(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) and 21(6)  There is a rigorous approach to the recruitment of staff. It ensures that all the appropriate pre-employment checks are undertaken. These include relevant checks on those who are in management positions.  The required checks for supply staff are also undertaken, and leaders are aware of their duties to report any concerns regarding a member of supply staff to the relevant agencies.  The single central record details all the required information and is checked regularly.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor body has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve the material change.

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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(1)(c), 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 proprietor body has carried out work to adapt the current premises further to accommodate the proposed additional pupils. The work carried out is of a high standard, and the leaders have thought carefully about the purpose of various rooms and the layout so that these meet the needs of the pupils.  There are different wings of the building for primary-aged pupils and secondary-aged pupils. There is also a clinical wing where therapies can take place away from the day- to-day lessons. This gives pupils the privacy they need when receiving therapy.  There are several classrooms and calm spaces located in each wing. These are designed to accommodate up to six pupils at any one time, and there are enough to

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Main inspection findings

accommodate the proposed number of pupils. There are also a few specialist classrooms, such as a science laboratory with a separate preparation room, a food technology room and an art room.  In addition to these classrooms, there is a communal dining room that is large enough to gather pupils together for events. There are also a few small rooms suitable for interventions or for reading and relaxing.  All rooms throughout the premises have suitable sources of natural light.  There are toilet facilities in both the primary-phase and secondary-phase wings. They have suitable washing facilities, and the water does not pose a risk of scalding.  There is a medical room located close to toilet facilities. It has suitable washing facilities, a bed and a shower.  Cold water, suitable for drinking, is clearly labelled and available throughout the day.  The outside space is suitable for playing and has swings, a multi-use games area, a

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Main inspection findings

grassed area and benches.  Physical education lessons, including swimming lessons, take place off site at a nearby leisure centre. There is an appropriate risk assessment in place for this to happen.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE grants the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has a clear rationale for increasing pupil numbers at the school. The school is currently near full capacity and is receiving an increasing number of referrals. An increase in pupil numbers will support the needs of the local area.  The proprietor body has already carried out work to improve the building so that it can accommodate the proposed increase in numbers.  The proprietor body has also increased staffing levels to accommodate an increase in pupil numbers. Plans to increase staff numbers even further are at an advanced stage, with additional staff due to start after Easter.  The proprietor body and school leaders have a secure understanding of the standards. There are appropriate systems in place to ensure that the standards are consistently met.  The well-being of pupils is at the centre of all the work the school does.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE grants the material change. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor body has ensured that it has a suitable accessibility plan in place that meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Email address karen.caswell@glebedaleschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 29 November to December 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 19 7 to 19 7 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 28 40 40

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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 23 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 28 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 28 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 28 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 13

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 9 To meet pupils’ needs

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Information about this school

 Glebedale School is an independent school for pupils between the ages of seven and 19 years.  The school caters for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The primary need for most pupils is related to social, emotional and mental health.  The school offers places for children who are looked after by a local authority. It also offers places for day pupils from the local community.  Pupils attending the school have an education, health and care plan.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provider.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to establish whether the school would be likely to meet all of the relevant independent school standards if the proposed material change to increase the number of pupils in the school to 40 were to be implemented. This is the school’s second material change inspection.  The inspection focused on some of the welfare, health and safety standards in part 3 of the standards, including the supervision of pupils and appropriate deployment of staff; all of the standards in part 4 about the suitability of staff; all of the standards in part 5 about the premises and accommodation; and the standards in part 8 about the quality of leadership and management of schools.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the operations director (who is also the chair of the governing body) and the chair of the proprietor body.  The inspector toured the accommodation with the headteacher and spoke to the site

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Information about this inspection

services officer.  The inspector scrutinised documents relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  The inspector reviewed safeguarding documents and the single central record. The inspector also spoke to pupils about whether they feel safe in school.

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Inspection team

Helen Forrest, 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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