Beech Grove

Inspection report for boarding school: Beech Grove 1 Beech Grove Forest Drive, Nonington, Dover, Kent CT15 4FB

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this boarding school

The school is an independent school for girls and boys aged between four and 19 years, offering boarding for up to 26 students aged 13 to 19. It is part of the Bruderhof community, an international Christian community with settlements in seven countries. The school operates from the Nonington site in Kent. The school is one of two schools in England which are run by Church Communities UK, a registered charity.

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Information about this boarding school

There were 25 students accessing the boarding provision at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this boarding school

The school was inspected at the same time as the social care provision. A separate report is available to see the findings of that inspection. The inspectors only inspected the social care provision at this school.

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Overall experiences and progress of

students and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well students and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The boarding school provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the school contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for students and young people.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 19 October 2021 Inspection report for boarding school: Beech Grove 2

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outstanding

Students thrive in the boarding provision. Not only do students make exceptional progress educationally, they also develop their independence and self-care skills. This gives them a sense of worth and meaning. There is a strong sense of community in which students share warm relationships, not only with each other but also with staff. Students enjoy socialising and making friends. Students speak passionately about different projects. These include videography, developing graphics and music. Students also enjoy meeting up with friends for long walks. These opportunities enhance students’ boarding experiences and promote their mental and physical well- being.

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outstanding

Students are supported by passionate and dedicated staff who sensitively help them physically and emotionally. This support transfers seamlessly across students’ waking day, providing them with high-quality, consistent care. The sense of mutual respect is a strength throughout students’ experiences.

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outstanding

Students enjoy the amenities of the extensive school estate and talk animatedly about the sports and recreational opportunities available to them. They also praise the quality of their accommodation and the whole-school environment. Sports facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, fishing lake and large football pitches, provide students with a wide range of recreational activities. Students take driving lessons, attain first-aid qualifications and prepare and cook meals. These activities prepare students for the future and increase opportunities for them to achieve.

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outstanding

Staff have a meticulous understanding of each student and how to tailor the support needed to meet their individual needs. In many cases, these relationships last throughout a student’s time in boarding. Parents express high levels of trust and belief in what the provision can achieve for their children. Feedback from parents is universally positive. One parent said, ‘My child has grown in maturity, confidence, academics and creative endeavours.’ Another said, ‘I really love this school, my child is so well cared for and learns so much, academically and socially.’

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outstanding

Students, alongside their families, are actively involved in their care planning, which gives them a sense of ownership in their lives. Students are listened to in a variety of ways. This is a key strength throughout their residential experience. Regular boarding meetings provide the opportunity for students to share feedback about their experiences, and changes are made as a result. Students can personalise their bedrooms and are consulted on the decoration of communal areas. Leaders identify and understand that some improvements are required to the boarding houses due to the age of the buildings. There are clear plans to further improve the physical environment and give students more space. This is welcomed by students and staff. Inspection report for boarding school: Beech Grove 3

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outstanding

The safeguarding team works across the school to provide a coherent and joined-up approach to keeping students safe. Students are happy. They feel safe and are confident to talk to boarding staff if they have any problems or concerns. Students are aware that there is an independent person who they can contact if they feel that would be more appropriate. Boarding staff know students incredibly well. This enables staff to promptly identify any changes in their mood and behaviour.

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outstanding

Boarders flourish in their inclusive and accepting boarding community. They understand and respect the expectations of them. This means that their behaviour is exemplary. Incidents are extremely rare because of the open and accepting culture. Since the last inspection, there have been no physical interventions, instances of bullying or students going missing from the school.

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outstanding

Skilled staff use student meetings and informal discussions at mealtimes as opportunities to discuss current affairs and community risks. This gives students opportunities to explore these topics in a non-judgemental space and have a better understanding of the world around them.

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outstanding

The health provision available to boarding students is exceptional, with a general practitioner and dental service in the school community. Boarding staff manage general health issues in conjunction with families and other appropriate professional teams. Health records are clear, and students understand their responsibilities for their own medical care.

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outstanding

Recruitment checks are effective. Health and safety servicing and maintenance regimes ensure that the buildings and grounds are safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There have been some significant changes to the leadership at the school since the last inspection. The boarding provision is managed by a skilled and passionate head of boarding and a team of staff who demonstrate an exceedingly ambitious vision for the boarding provision and for individual students. The ethos, aims and strategies in the school handbook are fully embedded.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers ensure that everyone has high expectations for what all students can achieve. They model a culture of mutual respect, which staff and students embrace. The school promotes charity work and students embrace challenges such as the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’, ‘Hope Run’ and voluntary work in a refugee kitchen and in local hospitals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from a range of training opportunities which support them to meet the specific needs of the students. They recieve individualised training packages that underpin the principles of the practice expected in their roles. This training has been Inspection report for boarding school: Beech Grove 4 developed to ensure that all staff can develop professionally. Consequently, students receive care that is of the highest standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a structured induction for all members of the staff team and an extensive handbook that outlines the ethos of the community. However, there are not yet consistent supervision or appraisal structures in place across the boarding provision to review boarding practice. Although this has not had a negative impact on students’ experiences, it is a missed opportunity for staff to further enhance their development and practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Regular meetings take place between house parents and senior leaders. These meetings explore the support needs of individual students and allow for general oversight of the provision. There is effective joint working and communication between house parents. Consequently, they understand each other and work well together. Inspection report for boarding school: Beech Grove 5

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Recommendation

 School leaders should continue to develop supervision and appraisal processes for boarding staff. In particular, consistently review the practice of boarding staff to ensure continued professional development and performance.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of students and young people using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Students Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for boarding school: Beech Grove 6

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Boarding school details

Social care unique reference number: 2543646

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Boarding school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Jeffrey Maendel

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Inspector

Hannah Cox, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for boarding school: Beech Grove 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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