The Lowen School

School material change inspection report

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The Lowen School Lower Dimson Farm, Gunnislake, Cornwall PL18 9NS

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7  The Lowen is a nurturing school, where pupils’ welfare is prioritised. The school benefits from clear procedures and a calm, caring approach to meeting pupils’ needs. Staff follow policy and process diligently. They are appropriately trained and work together effectively for the benefit of pupils. Pupils benefit from the close attention of key staff. This approach is established and well placed to expand should numbers increase.  The safeguarding policy is implemented effectively. Leaders have relevant experience of the care system. They benefit from up-to-date training. This reflects the detail and expectation as set out in the school’s safeguarding policy. The policy meets statutory requirements and is published on the school’s website. Collectively, the arrangements for safeguarding are well established and would cope well with the proposed increase

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Main inspection findings

in pupil numbers. Paragraphs 11-12  The school has appropriate health and safety policies and procedures. Staff work collaboratively to apply these. Ongoing site maintenance and checks on the curriculum focus on keeping pupils and staff safe. Appropriate mitigations are used to protect pupils from risk, including when on visits and trips.  The school buildings currently in use comply fully with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire signs, exits and extinguishers are clearly indicated and suitably located throughout the school’s existing buildings. There is appropriate space to cope with any increase in number up to the proposed extra numbers.  The proprietor ensures that the school’s fire safety arrangements are checked regularly by appropriately qualified and experienced staff or specialists. Leaders make sure that any recommended actions are addressed swiftly. This includes completion of

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Main inspection findings

the work that was outstanding at the time of the last material change inspection. Paragraph 14  Staff to pupil ratios are high. Pupils benefit from appropriate supervision, as set out in their education, health and care (EHC) plans. Pupils learn through bespoke packages according to their needs. This means they are constantly supervised when in lessons and at play. The school has appropriate plans for upscaling this model should the material change be granted.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s risk assessment policy provides a secure framework for staff to evaluate and mitigate potential hazards. Risk assessments are routinely completed as part of school life to ensure pupils’ safety.  The proprietor has ensured that the parts of this standard considered during this inspection are likely to be met if the material change is agreed.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)-18(2)(e), 18(3)- 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3)-21(3)(b), 20(6)-20(6)(c), 21(1)- (4), 21(5)-21(6), 21(7)(a)-21(7)(b)  Safer recruitment processes are robust. All required pre-employment checks are carried out for new staff, volunteers and governors, including through the interview process. Leaders complete statutory checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. These are recorded appropriately on the school’s single-central register.  The proprietor has ensured that this standard is likely to be met if the material change is agreed.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1)(a)-23(2), 24(1)-24(3), 25, 26, 27(a)-27(b), 28(1)-28(2)(b), 29(1)- 29(2), 31(a)-31(c)  The Lowen School benefits from plentiful outdoor space. Leaders have commissioned works to extend the available indoor spaces, including new offices, toilets and learning spaces. Extra learning spaces have been developed in already used buildings to allow pupils to learn key skills in readiness for adulthood. For example, there are three food technology classrooms where pupils can prepare and cook food. The buildings are in sound condition and secure. There is appropriate outside lighting.  The school’s plans for growth are considered and reasonable. The primary needs of pupils accessing the school are changing. New and existing buildings are being utilised effectively. Pupils are increasingly able to learn in small groups. Leaders have considered how any additional admissions should be managed to ensure that

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Main inspection findings

provision is maintained for current pupils. They expect growth to be slow and gradual.  New and suitable toilet and washing facilities are incorporated into the new building. There are two individual toilet cubicles and a larger washing space. Each cubicle has its own sink, which has hot water for washing hands, but does not present a scalding risk. Drinking water is readily available using the new food technology classrooms.  The school’s existing outdoor areas provide pupils with extensive areas to learn, socialise and relax.  The proprietor has ensured that this standard is likely to be met if the material change is agreed.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  Leaders are passionate about the education they provide for their pupils, many of whom have very complex needs. They share a vision for excellence. Effective self- evaluation ensures that plans for expansion are sensible and with the best interest of current and potential pupils in mind. Leaders work closely with local authority commissioners to meet local need. As such, this has led to leaders’ request to increase the maximum number of pupils at the school.  Leaders’ actions and plans for improvement give appropriate consideration to the independent school standards. Leaders are resolute in their desire to broaden the options for families who have children with complex needs, including those with autism. Leaders can already demonstrate the positive impact of the alternative approach to learning that they offer. For example, pupils often have transformational

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Main inspection findings

experiences of education during their time at the school.

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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 South West Complex Care Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £72,000 to £104,000

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School details

Email address admin@southwestcomplexcare.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 1 to 3 February 2022

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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 16 26 26

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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 16 26

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 16 26

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 16 26

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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 16 26

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 18 28

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 3 5

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Information about this school

 The Lowen School is an independent special school for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Many pupils have a diagnosis of autism. All pupils have an EHC plan. Pupils’ placements are funded by Plymouth, Cornwall and Devon local authorities.  The school opened in February 2021 and received its first standard inspection in February 2022, when it was judged to be providing a good standard of education.  This is the only school run by the proprietor, South West Complex Care Services.  The school uses no alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to the proprietor’s request to increase pupil capacity from 16 to 26. This was the third material change to the school’s registration agreement. At the most recent material change inspection in November 2023, it was recommended that the school be approved to increase from 12 to 16 pupils.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher and members of the senior leadership team.  The inspector toured the school site with leaders to check that the premises were suitable and safe in considering the material change application.  The inspector met with the school’s safeguarding team and reviewed documents and policies, including the safeguarding policy, a range of risk assessments and records related to the maintenance of health and safety standards across the site.

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Inspection team

Matthew Barnes, 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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