Hurworth House School Aspris Children's services

Hurworth House School Aspris Children’s services

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)(b)(i)  At the time of the previous standard inspection in October 2021, the school met all of the independent school standards.  Leaders continue to carefully consider the needs of pupils when refining and improving their curriculum. They adapt the curriculum appropriately to meet the needs of individuals. Pupils enjoy their lessons.  This independent school standard continues to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7(a), 7(b)  Leaders and staff receive regular safeguarding training and updates. Staff understand the process for safeguarding. They know how to spot and report concerns.  This standard continues to be met. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 14  Good behaviour is promoted throughout the school. Pupils respond positively and quickly to directions and reminders of the school’s approach. The behaviour policy and anti-bullying policy are published on the school website and known well by staff. Staff have access to the school’s online system for recording behaviour and know how to record incidents of misbehaviour, should these arise.  Leaders regularly check detailed behaviour logs and use these to identify patterns and trends. They adapt individual risk assessments and systems in response to this.  All staff have received appropriate physical intervention training, including on de-

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Main inspection findings

escalation strategies. Leaders keep accurate logs of physical interventions.  Suitable supervision is in place for pupils, with staff working well together to adapt practice as needed.  These standards continue to be met. Paragraph 11, 13  There is a suitable health and safety policy. This is used diligently and appropriately to ensure that needed safeguards are in place.  The school has an appropriate first-aid policy in place. Leaders have ensured that an appropriate number of well-stocked first-aid boxes are distributed around the school. This helps to ensure that aid is administered in a timely manner.  These standards continue to be met. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Risk assessments are comprehensive and cover key actions to take to mitigate risk. Every pupil has an adapted risk assessment that considers individual needs. Staff are clear on the processes used in school to manage risk. Potential risks are managed in a

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Main inspection findings

proportionate and reasonable way.  These standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 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)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3)  The single central record shows all required information. It contains details of the various checks that have been made about the suitability of staff to work with children. Random spot checks are carried out by the company to ensure these remain compliant.  Appropriate processes are in place regarding staff allegations. Disclosure and Barring Service referrals are undertaken as appropriate.  These standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The school buildings are well maintained. They are clean, tidy and free from clutter.  This standard continues to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a), 33(b), 33(c), 33(d), 33(e), 33(f), 33(g), 33(h), 33(i), 33(i)(i), 33(i)(ii), 33(j), 33(j)(i), 33(j)(ii), 33(k)  There is a well-constructed, comprehensive complaints procedure in place that is available on the school’s website. The policy sets out clear steps for each stage of the complaints process. There are appropriate timescales for each stage of a complaint and the rights of parents and carers to be accompanied to meetings. The procedures outline the rights of appeal if a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcomes of each stage of a complaint.  Leaders have secure knowledge of the requirements of the complaints procedures. They understand their responsibility to keep written records of any complaints and the action taken to deal with them.  These standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)  Leaders are skilled and knowledgeable. The proprietor body has extensive expertise and experience of working with pupils with SEND and managing specialist settings.  There is a clear vision in place that is understood by all. Leaders and staff are passionate about developing pupils’ moral character and purpose. All staff coach pupils and creatively inspire them so that they can achieve. This results in a high number of pupils moving on to education, employment or training.  The proprietor systematically checks that the school fulfils all requirements of the independent school standards.  Leaders consider and promote the well-being of pupils through the work that they do.  These standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor body pays close regard to the Equality Act 2010. For example, an appropriate accessibility plan outlines how pupils in all phases will access the curriculum and premises.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 3

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School details

Proprietor Aspris Children’s Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £71,881 to £89,437

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School details

Email address adminhurworthhouse@aspriscs.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 13 to 15 October 2021

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Information about this school

 The school’s most recent standard inspection was in October 2021, where it was judged to be good.  Hurworth House School has the capacity to accept up to 80 pupils between the ages of five and 19 years. It specialises in meeting the needs of pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.  All pupils attending the school have an education, health and care plan.  The school currently uses five alternative providers. Four of these providers are unregistered.  The chair of the proprietor board has recently changed. The Department for Education (DfE) has been informed.

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Information about this inspection

 This was an emergency inspection commissioned by the Department for Education as a result of concerns raised about the school. It was conducted at no notice.  Not all of the independent school standards were considered during this inspection.  The inspectors met with members of the senior leadership team. The lead inspector met with the regional director, members of the central company team and the chair of the proprietor body.  The inspectors assessed a wide range of documents and school policies. This included scrutinising the school’s single central record of checks on adults, the complaints policy and risk assessments. Inspectors considered how senior leaders investigate and process complaints received.  Inspectors spoke to pupils and staff throughout the inspection.

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Inspection team

Jenny Thomas, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Zoe Lightfoot 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

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.

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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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