The Belsteads School

School material change inspection report

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The Belsteads School Back Lane, Little Waltham, Near Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3PP

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The safeguarding and child protection policy aligns with statutory guidance. It can be accessed on the school’s website or via a request to the school to receive a paper copy.  The proprietor ensures the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy DSL receive the training, time and supervision to fulfil the role confidently and well. Because of this, there is a thorough take on safeguarding training for staff. It ensures they remain alert and aware of how to report pupils who are susceptible to harm. For example, staff recently received training in how to consult a toolkit to determine the severity of sexualised behaviour. This has strengthened how they identify, report and record concerns, as well as how they determine suitable support for pupils. When needed, there is a timely and tenacious approach to how leaders liaise with external

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Main inspection findings

safeguarding partners to ensure vulnerable pupils receive the effective help they need. Paragraph 11  There is a health and safety policy in place. However, leaders are in the process of fine-tuning it. They want to ensure it takes account of all the school’s robust procedures, such as those relating to lone working and critical incidents. Leaders and staff all access suitable training and support, for example qualifying as an emergency first aider or accessing counsel from a trained psychotherapist. Paragraph 12  The protocol for ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations is thorough, including a third party conducting a rigorous risk assessment. There are appropriate inspections of emergency lighting, call points and fire extinguishers. Staff members undergo annual training on fire safety, including those designated fire wardens learning how to discharge a fire extinguisher safely. Regular drills mean pupils are

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Main inspection findings

proficient in how to vacate the premises safely in the event of a fire. There are individual risk assessments that set out suitable solutions to support those pupils who would otherwise find it hard to evacuate safely and swiftly. Paragraph 14  How the school structures the supervision of pupils ensures pupils receive the support they need to learn well and behave appropriately, including in lessons, at break- and lunchtimes and on educational visits. There is also outreach support for those pupils who attend school part time to provide assurance about pupil’s education and welfare.  Leaders plan to continue the current arrangement for class size. This involves a class of six pupils being taught by a teacher, a higher-level teaching assistant and two teaching assistants. Leaders recognise how this arrangement ensures the safe and smooth running of the school. For example, a pupil can be efficiently escorted to an

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Main inspection findings

activity outside the classroom without disrupting the lesson for those pupils left behind. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  There is an effective risk management policy in place. Its clarity is shown in detailed risk assessments that identify risks and suitable measures to overcome them.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(3)  The school’s recruitment procedures meet statutory requirements. The single central record is accurate and detailed. All checks are completed in a timely manner ahead of staff or governors taking up post. The school’s additional safety measures, such as the annual staff declaration, provide assurance about an individual’s ongoing suitability to be working with or volunteering around pupils. Paragraphs 19(2) to 19(3)  Those overseeing the meticulous pre-employment checks on school staff extend the same diligence to supply staff. In addition to ensuring the organisation’s policies are fit for purpose, the school ensures it receives information about the checks completed on individuals. These are then verified, such as confirming the individual’s identity alongside approved photographic identification. Subsequently, the school is doing all it

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Main inspection findings

can to ensure those supply staff working in the school are safe to be around pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 23(2), 25 to 28(2)(b)  The existing and new premises are well designed and maintained. The buildings include spacious classrooms, well-positioned offices, first-aid rooms and rooms in which pupils may receive additional support, such as counselling. Each room is well lit, ventilated and insulated to ensure comfort and foster concentration to facilitate learning. There are individual, lockable toilets, as well as clean and well-maintained changing and showering facilities. No hot water poses a scalding risk. All water is mains fed and taps are clearly labelled to indicate drinking-water. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The school sits on many acres of open space, meaning the outdoor space is ample for physical education and pupils’ social times. Outdoor facilities include a soothing sensory garden that pupils maintain, a duck run and pond to teach pupils about

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Main inspection findings

animal care, swing sets to meet pupils’ sensory needs and football nets to encourage team games.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  Governors have a strong working knowledge of the day-to-day running of the school. This supports their strategic oversight and ensures that change is managed well. For example, governors receive open invitations to attend educational visits. Attending these provides governors with assurance about the positive relationships between pupils and staff and the effectiveness of procedures such as those involved in risk assessments. Governors’ training and expertise allow them to question and discuss school development, including in relation to curriculum, finance and safeguarding. The proprietor and school leaders appreciate the challenge that the governing body provides, alongside their own reflective self-evaluation.  Pupils attend a school where leaders understand and adhere to the statutory guidance regarding keeping children safe. For example, there is a strong focus on pupils’ well-

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Main inspection findings

being. Judicious inter-agency working ensures vulnerable pupils receive the therapeutic support they and their family require to thrive. The extensive extra- curricular offer promotes pupils’ physical and mental well-being. Pupils’ experiences include exploring a nature reserve, learning to ski and receiving reiki healing.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders ensure that the school 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

Email address admin@belsteads.essex.sch.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 June 2022

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recommendation

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

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 36 55 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 30 55 Number of part-time pupils 6 Case by case basis

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 36 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 36 55

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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 36 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 5 9

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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 Belsteads School is an independent day school for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The school caters for pupils with moderate or severe learning difficulties. Most pupils have a diagnosis of autism. All pupils have an education, health and care plan, and all pupils are funded by their local authority.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place in June 2022. The school was judged to be good and the standards were met.  The proprietor body delegates some of its functions to a governing body.  The school uses one unregistered alternative education provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department of Education commissioned this additional inspection in response to a request from the proprietor to increase the number of pupils on the school roll from 30 to 55. The Department of Education were seeking assurance that particular standards would likely continue to be met were the material change to be approved.  This is the second time the proprietor has requested to increase the school’s capacity. The preceding request to increase the number of pupils on the school roll from 18 to 30 was recommended, and subsequently approved, as part of the standard inspection that took place in June 2022.  As part of this inspection, the inspector held meetings with leaders, including the proprietor, the headteacher, the deputy headteacher, the school business manager and three governors.  The inspector reviewed a range of school documentation, including minutes of meetings and policies, and took a tour of the school premises and some of its grounds

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Information about this inspection

to check the facilities.  The inspector also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers.

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Inspection team

Daniel Short, 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

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 .

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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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