Nightingale House School

School material change inspection report

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Nightingale House School Stacks Lane, Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge, HX7 5RP

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1, 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), (2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i),  The curriculum policy outlines a broad curriculum which is often bespoke to the needs of individual pupils. For example, when pupils arrive at the school in Years 10 and 11, they have often chosen their key stage 4 options. In order to increase pupils’ engagement, school works hard to enable pupils to continue with these options. Examples were given of pupils continuing with Japanese, art and a range of vocational courses, such as motor vehicle maintenance, and hair and beauty.  Schemes of work are in place for each subject area. The breadth and depth of teachers’ planning ensures the needs of a wide range of pupils are met. Outdoor learning through the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme is encouraged and physical

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Main inspection findings

education often takes place in the extensive school grounds.  Reading is a key focus in school. Pupils are encouraged to read for pleasure. A phonics screening test is used to identify gaps in pupils’ phonological knowledge. This enables teachers to put in place the relevant support for individual pupils to enable them to become more fluent at reading.  The clinical team visit school regularly. They train staff to support pupils’ social and emotional needs as well as giving advice on learning.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d), 2A(1),(e), 2A(1)(f), 2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3).  Sex and relationship education (RSE) curriculum is closely linked to the personal, social and health education curriculum. Delivered through a selection of different units, staff and outside speakers ensure the curriculum is closely tailored to pupils’ needs and past experiences.  Teachers and leaders intend this bespoke approach will continue if the material change requested is implemented and boys attend the school.  The school has ensured that parents and carers are aware of the content of the RSE curriculum.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5(b)(vi)  Pupils are taught the importance of recognising the groups protected by the 2010 Equality Act.  Classroom displays reinforce the message and curriculum plans identify how this is taught.  Staff are planning to ensure the open approach to discussing the needs of all groups of pupils will continue should the school become co-educational.  The standard above is likely to be met should the material change be implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a),7(b)  Safeguarding is a key priority in school. Staff are aware that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep pupils safe.  Incidents are electronically logged and the school’s designated safeguarding lead ensures relevant actions, often involving other agencies, are taken.  All staff receive regular update training provided by the company.  The school’s safeguarding policy is updated annually. The policy is effectively written and takes into account the most up-to-date legal guidance from documents, such as Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023.  These standards are likely to be met should the material change be implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1), 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6), to 20(6)(c) and 21(1), 21(7)(b)  The school has a single central register in place. The register records 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 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), 23(2)  The school has in place a single stall toilet solely for pupils’ use.  The toilet has a handbasin with hot and cold running water.  There are other toilets on the premises which can be used by adults and others with disabilities.  The cold water in the tap within the toilet is labelled as fit for consumption. However, it is not used for drinking as a plentiful supply of bottled water is provided in classrooms for pupils to drink.  The toilet is suitable for both male and female use.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1) (c)  The safeguarding policy is displayed on the school’s website. Paper copies are available on request.  This standard is likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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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)  Leaders and the proprietor have ensured that all the standards checked in this inspection have been met.  A key leadership priority is to actively promote pupils’ welfare and social skills. It is planned that this will continue should the school be open to boys as well as girls.  Leaders know their school well. A well-thought-out plan is in place to support the school’s application to become co-educational.  The two classrooms currently in place should offer ample space to house the small number of pupils planned for.  School has planned that the medical room will be moved to another part of the building.  These standards are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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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 special school

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 11 and12 March 2020

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 11 to 18 11 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 1 4 4

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School's current position School's proposal

Gender of pupils Girls Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 4 4

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 4 4

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Up to 4

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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 0 Up to 4

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 3

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this school

 The school currently meets the needs of up to four girls.  The school has no pupils in the sixth form.  The school does not currently use alternative provision.  The school does not have a religious denomination.  The schools was previously inspected in March 2020.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) in response to the school’s request for a material change to allow the school to receive boys as well as girls.  The inspector met with senior leaders including the executive headteacher, and the proprietors’ representative.  The inspector scrutinised documents provided by the school, including safeguarding documents, the curriculum policy and supporting schemes of work. The inspector also carried out checks on the toilets and washing facilities provided for pupils.  The school is aiming to become co-educational in order to be able to admit boys.  No pupils were in school at the time of the inspection.

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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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