Crookhey Hall School

School material change inspection report

p.1

Crookhey Hall School Garstang Road, Cockerham, Lancaster LA2 0HA

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7(a) and 7(b)  The proprietor body has ensured that there is a detailed safeguarding policy in place. It includes the most current statutory guidance for safeguarding pupils. The policy is published on the school’s website. It is supported by effective arrangements to keep pupils safe and to promote their welfare.  There is a designated safeguarding leader (DSL) and two deputy designated safeguarding leaders (DDSLs) who are supported well by the safeguarding leader of the central proprietor body. Staff receive appropriate induction and safeguarding training and regular updates and briefings. Staff understand the particular vulnerabilities of the pupils who attend the school. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor body has a written health and safety policy, which is tailored to the premises of the school. It complies with all relevant laws. There are robust monitoring

p.1

Main inspection findings

procedures in place to ensure that all health and safety checks are completed regularly. Leaders carry out regular fire safety checks of the premises and these are suitably logged. Fire evacuation routes are clearly lit and signposted. The proprietor body ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Leaders have fully considered how an increase in pupil numbers will impact on the welfare and safety of pupils in the school. They have appropriately amended their health and safety policies and their monitoring procedures.  A written risk assessment policy is in place. Risk assessments show that leaders take appropriate actions to reduce any identified risks to pupils. These arrangements are suitable to accommodate the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll, should it increase. Paragraph 14  Pupils are supervised at all times, including when arriving and leaving school, and at

p.1

Main inspection findings

breaktimes and transition times. Staffing levels are high. The proposed number of staff will help to ensure that pupils will continue to be appropriately supervised throughout the school day. Leaders are appointing additional staff in preparation for the increase in pupil numbers, should the material change be approved.  The independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part are likely to be met if the school’s request for the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(3), 18(4), 19(1), 19(2), 19(3), 19(4), 20(6) 21  The single central record (SCR) is in place and contains all of the necessary checks and information. The school completes all of the required checks on the suitability of staff before they take up appointment.  Records relating to the proprietor body are included on the SCR. All of the suitability checks, including those relating to the leadership and management of the school,

p.2

Main inspection findings

have also been carried out.  Leaders have completed appropriate safer recruitment training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in a school. They have ensured that any new employees have the experience that they need to meet the needs of the pupils in the school. The induction programme for new staff ensures that they undergo a wide range of safeguarding and other related training on appointment.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23  The proprietor body has recently built a new building in preparation for the increase in pupil numbers should the material change be approved. There are some shared spaces for all pupils in the old building, such as the dining room and rooms which allow pupils to receive therapy sessions and/or sessions with specialist teachers and

p.2

Main inspection findings

clinical staff. The building is maintained to a high standard. There are numerous classrooms and breakout rooms. In the new building, there are classrooms, toilets and a kitchen area. The additional building will cater effectively for the proposed increase in the number of pupils should the material change be approved.  There is changing accommodation and showers for pupils in the secondary school area to use. These areas are clean and suitable for pupils to use following physical education. They will accommodate the proposed increase in numbers, should the material change be approved. Paragraph 24  There is a designated medical room for pupils in the school to use. It has a bed, pillow and blanket. There is easy access to toilet and washing facilities. The room is equipped with a first-aid kit. There is a separate room with a lockable medicine cabinet situated in the school. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 28

p.2

Main inspection findings

 The new accommodation is maintained to a high standard. It meets all requirements to ensure the health, safety and welfare of pupils should the material change be approved. The new building is light and spacious. Both parts of the building are clean and tidy. All of the rooms to be used by pupils have appropriate acoustics and lighting suitable for the purpose of the different rooms.  Drinking water is clearly labelled and available for pupils throughout the day. Paragraph 29  The extensive school grounds provide ample outdoor space for pupils and will easily accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. All pupils have access to safe and secure outdoor areas to play in when not in lessons. The outdoor space is also suitable for physical education lessons, including for key stage 4 pupils.  There is external lighting to ensure that pupils, staff, parents and carers, and visitors can enter and leave the site and building safely.

p.3

Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1)-34(1)(c)  The proprietor, regional leaders and school leaders demonstrate an excellent understanding of the standards. There are robust systems and procedures in place to monitor compliance. Leaders have the knowledge and experience required to carry out their roles successfully and to accommodate the material change requested. They are committed to providing a high quality of education for pupils and actively promote the well-being of pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan fully reflects the school’s statutory responsibilities. The proprietor has ensured that the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to be

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

School status Independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £50,796 to £80,000

p.5

School details

Email address reception@crookheyhallschool.co.uk

p.5

School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 18 to 20 January 2022

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 10 to 17 10 to 17 10 to 17

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 98 100 100

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 98 100

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 98 100

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 98 100

p.6

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 98 100

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 27 29

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 24 28

p.6

Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was on the 18 to 20 January 2022.  The school is currently registered to admit up to 92 pupils. The school has exceeded the number of pupils it is registered to admit.  All pupils who attend this school have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Most EHC plans are for pupils’ social, emotional and mental health needs.  The school is part of Acorn Care and Education Limited.  Leaders use unregistered alternative provision for a small number of pupils.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 The proprietor body has applied for a material change to increase the pupil numbers from 92 to 100. This is the first material change that the proprietor has applied for.  The Department for Education (DfE) requested that Ofsted conducted a material change inspection to report against Part 3, paragraphs 7 (a) & (b), 11, 12, 14, and 16 (a) & (b). The DfE also requested a report against parts 4, 5 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector met with the headteacher and senior leaders of the school. She also met with a representative of the proprietor body and the chair of the governing board. The inspector spoke to the designated safeguarding leader.  The inspector was accompanied by the headteacher, as she made a tour of the school and grounds, to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant independent

p.7

Information about this inspection

school standards.  The inspector also looked at a range of documents and policies relevant to the material change request. This included: documents relating to the curriculum, health and safety information, and fire safety and risk assessment documentation. The inspector also checked documents relating to safeguarding.

p.7

Inspection team

Rebecca Sharples, 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 .

p.7

Inspection team

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

p.8

Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

p.8

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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.8

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8