Oakwood Community School

School material change inspection report

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Oakwood Community School Heath Road, Barlestone, Bagworth, Leicestershire, Leicestershire CV13 0JD

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Leaders who are responsible for safeguarding take swift action when staff raise safeguarding concerns about pupils. They ensure that pupils get the support that they need and minimise risk. They are quick to engage with external agencies to support the most vulnerable pupils.  Leaders and staff know the pupils well. They understand the different contextual risks pupils may encounter. Daily de-briefs and weekly briefings allow all staff to share and communicate information about pupils. This helps leaders keep pupils safe.  Staff receive regular safeguarding training. This ensures that all staff are knowledgeable about local and national safeguarding issues.  Staff are well trained to implement the school’s safeguarding policy. They know the school’s recording and reporting protocols well.  Pupils feel safe at the school. They know all the trusted adults they can speak to if

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Main inspection findings

they have a worry or concern.  Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe through weekly personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education lessons.  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date and in line with national guidance. The policy is published on the school’s website. Paragraphs 11 to 12  There is an appropriate health and safety policy and fire safety policy in place. Both these policies are reviewed and leaders make checks to ensure that the policies are implemented effectively.  Leaders make sure that the fire safety equipment is in working order. There is clear signage to indicate how to evacuate the building and where pupils should congregate in case of fire. Paragraph 14  Leaders consider staff supervision ratios during the school day and when planning educational visits. This helps them ensure effective supervision of pupils.  Staff are fully aware of their responsibility to supervise pupils during non-structured

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Main inspection findings

times as set out in the school’s supervision rota.  Leaders have recruitment plans in place to ensure that an appropriate number of teaching, leadership and support staff will be recruited swiftly if this material change is implemented. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  An appropriate risk assessment policy is in place. This provides guidance as to what constitutes risk and how staff should consider reducing any identified risks.  Risk assessments for off-site activities such as swimming and educational visits identify how to mitigate risk. These are regularly updated and reviewed as new risks emerge.  There are risk assessments that are specific to individual pupils. They identify possible risks to the pupils and strategies to mitigate against these risks. The risk assessments are updated regularly.  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 Paragraph 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b) and 21(6)  Leaders complete appropriate recruitment checks when new staff are appointed to take a position at the school. These checks are completed before the new staff start working with pupils.  Leaders keep accurate records of the recruitment checks they complete on the school’s single central record.  Leaders know the information they must request from agencies, should they need to employ supply staff.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1) to 23(1)(c) and 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  There are suitable toilets available for the sole use of pupils at both sites. Toilets are equipped with appropriate washing facilities that have hot and cold running water.

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Main inspection findings

 There are shower facilities for pupils to use at both school sites.  The hot water supplied to the toilet and shower facilities does not pose a risk of scalding.  Pupils have access to drinking water, which is marked as such. 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. Thes room at the Oakwood site is also used for other purposes. However, this is readily available for pupils who may feel unwell.  Each room contains appropriate first-aid equipment and a washing facility. Each room is in close vicinity of a toilet. Paragraph 25  Both the current premises and one of the new proposed additional premises are well maintained throughout.  The proposed additional premises on the Cedarwood 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.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed additional premises on each site have suitable accommodation to teach pupils. These premises provide sufficient room for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Leaders intend to purchase more furniture for one of these premises, as required. Paragraph 26 to 27(b)  The acoustics in each room are suitable. All rooms benefit from natural light and are equipped with suitable electrical lighting. There is appropriate external lighting on each site which makes it safe when pupils enter or leave. Paragraph 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  There is suitable outdoor spaces at both sites for pupils to use in their social time and to undertake outdoor activities.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards checked in this part if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Proprietors and leaders have the necessary knowledge of the independent school

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Main inspection findings

standards. They have robust quality assurance processes to ensure these are consistently met.  Staff are proud to work at the school and their moral is high. Leaders ensure that they consider staff workload and well-being as they plan to grow the school.  Proprietors play an active role in the school in ensuring the standards are continuously met.  Leaders have made appropriate plans so that the school can accommodate the proposed increase in pupils on both school sites. They have created sufficient space in the different teaching areas to accommodate the additional 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

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Proprietor United Education Services Limited

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 7 to 9 February 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 18 5 to 18 5 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 60 100 100

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 39 100

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 60 100

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 59 100

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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 59 100

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 16 19

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Information about this school

 Oakwood Community School caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The school is registered to provide education for up to 72 pupils. There are currently 60 pupils on the school’s roll.  Nearly all pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan and are funded by various local authorities.  The school is has developed two additional premises on two already established sites. These are the ‘Womble Pod’ located at Heath Road, Bagworth, Leicestershire, CV13 0JD and the Hawthorne building located at Chantry Lane, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QJ. These premises are not currently being used. The additional premises will not be used until such time as the school receives permission to implement this material change.  The school uses the services of five unregistered alternative providers to educate a small number of pupils.  The previous standard inspection took place from 7 to 9 February 2023. The school

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned this material change inspection in response to the school’s request to increase the number of approved pupil places from 72 to 100. This was the school’s first material change inspection for the proposed change.  The school intends to educate the extra 28 pupils using two newly built premises.  The inspector considered the suitability of the school’s provision in relation to: the arrangements for 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 proprietorial board. He spoke with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and some staff. He also met with some pupils.  The inspector reviewed policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment. He scrutinised the school’s single central

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Information about this inspection

record.  The inspector undertook a tour of the school’s current premises and the two newly created premises.

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Inspection team

Rakesh Patel, 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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