Acorns School

School material change inspection report

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Acorns School 19b Hibbert Lane, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 7NN

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding systems and procedures pay due regard to the current statutory guidance. A suitable and up-to-date safeguarding policy is in place and is published on the school’s website. Leaders have established all the necessary arrangements to keep pupils safe and to promote their welfare at the school.  There is a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) for each school site. These DSLs work closely together to make sure that there is a strong culture of safeguarding across the school. The induction package for new staff includes comprehensive safeguarding training such as specific training based on the contextual safeguarding challenges. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  There is a health and safety policy in place that covers both school sites and complies with all relevant laws. Leaders carry out regular fire-safety checks on the premises.

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Main inspection findings

These are suitably logged and any issues are dealt with swiftly and effectively. The school uses external specialists to check equipment and advise on best practice. The proprietor ensures the school’s compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  A written risk assessment policy is in place. Leaders carry out appropriate risk assessments on the school buildings, including the classrooms, and risk assessments for activities or trips. There are personal risk assessments in place for pupils. Risk assessments set out the necessary control measures to minimise any potential negative impact of the risks identified. Paragraph 14  Pupils are appropriately supervised throughout the school day. This includes when arriving and leaving each of the school sites, and during social times. The increased staffing is sufficient and suitable for the needs and numbers of pupils on roll.  All the independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part are likely to be met

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Main inspection findings

if the request for the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i)-18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i)-19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b)- 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)-20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i)-20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1)-21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i)-21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7)-21(7)(b)  The single central record (SCR) is in place. It covers all staff who will work on each of the school sites and includes all of the required information. Leaders understand the need to complete all the required checks on the suitability of staff before they take up new appointments.  Records relating to the proprietor are included on the school’s SCR. All the suitability

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Main inspection findings

checks, including those relating to the leadership and management of a school, have also been carried out.  The proprietor and school leaders have completed safer recruitment training to support the appointment of suitable staff to work in a school. There is a suite of safeguarding training included in the induction package for new staff.  Leaders are clear about their responsibility for checking the suitability of agency staff and volunteers, as well as the checks required for staff who have spent time overseas.  All 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 23(1), 23(1)(a)- 23(1)(c), 28(1)-28(1)(d), 28(2)-28(2)(b)  The additional school site is a two-storey building that was formerly used as a school. The building has been refurbished to a high standard. The accommodation consists of

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Main inspection findings

several teaching spaces, communal spaces, staff offices, a kitchen, a medical room and a library. The school’s main site was also visited as part of this inspection.  There are appropriate toilet and washing facilities on both sites. All toilet cubicles can be secured from the inside. There is hot and cold running water. The hot water is set at an appropriate temperature. There are signs indicating the taps that provide drinking-water. Pupils have access to drinking-water throughout the day.  There are suitable changing facilities for pupils to use. Paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)  There are suitable medical rooms on both sites. These medical rooms have a sink and are located within easy access to a toilet. A bed and first-aid kit were in each of the medical rooms at the time of the inspection, along with storage for medication and logs for recording the administration of any medicines or first-aid treatment.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The accommodation is clean and tidy. It meets all requirements for ensuring the health, safety and the welfare of pupils. Lighting and acoustics are appropriate in all of the teaching spaces. External lighting covers all exits and the car park area. Paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  Pupils have access to safe outdoor areas to play in and to use for physical education.  All 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 Paragraph 34(1)-34(1)(c)  The proprietor has a secure understanding of the standards. There are plans in place to regularly monitor compliance.  Leaders have the knowledge and skills that they need to continue to run the school successfully with an additional site and an increased number of pupils on roll. They are committed to proving a high-quality education for all pupils. They fulfil their

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Main inspection findings

responsibility to promote the well-being of pupils.  The standard in this part is 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.

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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 Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £54,405 to £93,210

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School details

Website education.keyschildren.co.uk/school/acorns

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School details

Email address admin.acornsschool@keys-group.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 1 to 3 March 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 17 5 to 17 5 to 17

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 40 56 56

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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 40 56

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 40 56

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 40 56

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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 40 56

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 9 14

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff None None

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 11 17

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was 1 to 3 March 2022.  The school’s main site is located at 19b Hibbert Lane, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 7NN. The school recently gained approval from the Department for Education (DfE) for an additional premises. This is located at Acorns Ashley School, Back Lane, Ashley, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 0QH.  All pupils at the school have special educational needs and/or disabilities and have an education, health and care plan. All pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs.  Leaders do not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned this material change inspection to evaluate the school’s likely compliance with the relevant standards if the DfE approves the proprietor’s request to increase the pupil capacity from 40 to 56.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of an increase of the school’s capacity since the school’s last standard inspection in March 2022.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector met with the executive headteacher and heads of school for both sites, who are also the DSLs.  The inspector made a tour of both sites to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards.  The inspector also looked at a range of documentation and policies relevant to the material change request. These included health and safety, fire-safety and risk assessment documentation. The inspector also checked documentation relating to

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Inspection team

Jane Dennis, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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