Queensmead House School

Inspection of Queensmead House School Kings Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 2AX

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

Does the school meet the independent school standards?

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Often, pupils arrive at Queensmead House doubting themselves and feeling education has not worked for them. Over time, dedicated staff help change pupils’ mindset and their academic ambitions. The onsite clinical team are integral to pupils making a fresh start. Many parents can see a brighter future.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

High academic ambition is spread far and wide by the school. Pupils learn to work hard and sit exams that will give them important qualifications. The curriculum mirrors much of what pupils might do in a mainstream school. Older pupils comment on how their behaviour and motivation has changed for the better. They want to earn reward points in exchange for special prizes and look forward to the celebration assemblies. Pupils learn to get along with others and how to manage their emotions.

p.2

What is it like to attend this school?

Enriching experiences bring school to life for pupils. They greatly appreciate the sporting and life skills they develop alongside exploring their interests and going out on trips. Careers education is front and centre. Pupils meet inspiring professionals who inspire them to strive for ambitious futures. Pupils learn about good mental health and the importance of physical activity. Furthermore, the school thinks carefully about providing pupils with important responsibilities to develop pupils’ understanding of leadership qualities and skills.

p.2

better?

Since the last inspection, the school has navigated a turbulent time. This has included some issues with the school building as well as changes in staffing. Unwaveringly, the proprietor body has kept to its vision of the best possible education for its pupils. It has drawn expertise from leaders of its other schools to help improve this school. Newly appointed staff follow a clear induction programme. Staff are keen to support the shared belief that the pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) they educate can achieve highly.

p.2

better?

The curriculum is well designed. It helps to prepare pupils for success and caters for different interests. Knowledge within different subjects is identified and sequenced in small steps. This builds carefully from the primary phase through to the secondary phase. The proprietor body’s ‘team around the child’ approach ensures teaching and clinical staff work together to meet the goals set out in pupils’ education and health care (EHC) plans. Pupils learn content in short and manageable bursts. Staff are alert to where pupils can become unsettled and need time away from the classroom to self-regulate.

p.2

better?

Reading is actively promoted and a high priority. Older pupils are reading more widely and learning of the joy that reading brings. Many pupils read fluently and this helps them to learn across the full curriculum. The school has invested in a wealth of reading material to help pupils find something that they like. There is an ambitious phonics programme which is well resourced. Pupils at the early stages of reading learn the phonics code and read books that match the sounds they know. 14 to 16 May 2024 Nevertheless, in light of recent staffing changes, the school recognises it needs to refresh staff’s expertise so that they are highly skilled in teaching the phonics programme.

p.2

better?

There is regular training and support provided to staff to help them teach the curriculum effectively. Questioning pupils to check their understanding and rehearsing key vocabulary are embedded securely into classroom practice. Teachers also choose real-life examples to help pupils connect new knowledge to what they already know. However, the quality of curriculum implementation is inconsistent across the different age-phases. Sometimes, the tasks that pupils complete are not helping them to learn knowledge sufficiently well.

p.3

better?

The review process for pupils’ EHC plans is well planned and the school is ensuring it works collaboratively with local authorities who place pupils. Since the last inspection, the proprietor body has utilised specialist expertise from local authorities to help improve pupils’ educational experiences and attendance. However, there remains inconsistencies in the school’s communication with different local authorities and the extent to which improvements are fully impacting upon all pupils.

p.3

better?

In lessons, pupils know they are there to learn and try their best. Older pupils behave well because they have had more time to benefit from the school’s work and access to important therapy. During the inspection, pupils sat public exams in silence and with focus. However, some younger pupils do struggle to manage their behaviour at times. The staff team debriefs daily to review strategies and keep positive behaviour support plans up to date. The school has worked proactively in training staff how to safely respond to situations involving dysregulated pupils.

p.3

better?

The personal development of pupils is a strength. The school offers a broad range of opportunities to develop pupils’ character and readiness for the outside world. For example, buying refreshments, navigating public transport and opening a bank account. The proprietor body also prioritises hot and freshly cooked meals for pupils to help them learn how to eat healthily. The school celebrates themed weeks, including science and neurodiversity. Pupils know they must value everyone. The school ensures that it is compliant with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

p.3

better?

The proprietor body has a rigorous oversight of the independent school standards (the standards) and ensures these are consistently met. For example, where parents may raise a complaint, the school follows its processes as published in its complaints policy. The building is maintained to a high standard and leaders are diligent in undertaking health and safety checks.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 14 to 16 May 2024

p.3

Information for the school and proprietor

 The implementation of the curriculum is inconsistent in some age-phases. Tasks set for pupils do not always closely align to the ambitious curriculum in place. This means pupils are not building knowledge securely in some subjects. The school should continue its strong focus on staff professional development so that the teaching of the curriculum is of high quality.  Not all staff are highly skilled in the teaching of early reading. This means that some pupils do not learn to read quickly enough. The school should ensure that all staff access up-to-date training to ensure the phonics programme is delivered consistently well.

p.4

How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

p.4

How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school. 14 to 16 May 2024

p.4

School details

Unique reference number 147663 DfE registration number 868/6026

p.5

School details

Inspection number 10286467 Type of school Special all-through

p.5

School details

Website www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/our- locations/our-schools/queensmead-house- school Email address queensmead- house@witherslackgroup.co.uk Date of previous inspection 23 to 25 November 2021 14 to 16 May 2024

p.5

Information about this school

 Queensmead House School is part of Witherslack Group which runs special schools and residential care across the UK.  The headteacher joined the school in April 2024 and has previously been a headteacher within the proprietor body’s schools.  All pupils have an EHC plan. The school admits pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, learning difficulties and/or autism spectrum disorder. Many pupils have spent significant lengths of time out of education.  The school meets the requirements of the provider access legislation, which requires schools to provide pupils in Years 8 to 13 with information and engagement about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.  The school is currently using six unregistered alternative providers.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in November 2021.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school's suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.

p.6

Information about this inspection

The school meets the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 Inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors met with senior leaders and staff, including the school’s clinical team. The lead inspector met with two members of the proprietor body. He also met with representatives from three local authorities who commission places at the school.  The inspection team carried out deep dives into these subjects: reading, mathematics, science, and design and technology. To do this, they met with subject leaders, looked at curriculum planning, had discussions with staff and pupils, visited lessons and looked at pupils’ work.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, inspectors reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

p.6

Information about this inspection

14 to 16 May 2024  Inspectors talked to pupils about their learning and experiences at school. They observed pupils’ behaviour and attitudes through the school day.  The views of staff and parents were gathered through discussions and Ofsted’s online surveys.  The lead inspector toured the school site to gather evidence about compliance with the standards. Inspectors also reviewed a range of other documents and policies, including on the school’s website. They scrutinised school records, including attendance and behaviour records.

p.7

Inspection team

James Broadbridge, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector

p.7

Inspection team

Chris Parker His Majesty's Inspector 14 to 16 May 2024 to 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.

p.7

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 .

p.8

Inspection team

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