Oliver House School

School material change inspection report

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Oliver House School Hallgate, Astley Village, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 1XA

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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 has put in place a suitable safeguarding policy that has regard to the appropriate statutory guidance. This policy is published on the school’s website. There are secure reporting procedures for staff to report any safeguarding concerns. These procedures are likely to remain suitable if the request for the material changes is granted.  The headteacher is the designated safeguarding lead. This lead, and the staff deputising for this lead, are trained to an appropriate level.  All staff receive regular safeguarding training. Staff newly appointed to the school receive a suitable induction programme when they are appointed. Staff continue to receive regular updates on aspects of safeguarding such as radicalisation and extremism. This training is likely to ensure that staff continue to recognise and respond to any concerns about pupils’ safety or welfare if the material change is

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Main inspection findings

approved. Paragraphs 11, 12  The school has ensured that there is a written health and safety policy that complies with all relevant legislation. The policy is supported by a programme of regular checks to identify and rectify any faults at the premises, including at the additional premises that form part of the material change application. For example, electrical equipment, gas boilers and water temperature are tested regularly.  The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. For example, regular fire drills take place for staff and pupils. Fire escapes are clearly marked to facilitate escape. The school’s fire alarms and emergency lighting are tested regularly. Paragraph 14  The school has taken care to ensure that staff are deployed effectively in order to ensure pupils’ welfare and safety. The school intends to continue to recruit and employ more staff to meet individual pupils’ needs should this be required. This is

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Main inspection findings

likely to ensure the suitable supervision of pupils if the increase in pupil numbers is approved. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has ensured that an effective risk assessment policy is in place. Suitable risk assessments have been completed. For example, risk assessments have been carried out for classroom activities and for when pupils travel off site for educational visits. The risk assessment policy and associated risk assessments are likely to remain appropriate should the material change be granted.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the request for 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(2)(e), 18(3)  The required suitability checks for staff are completed before new staff start working at the school. All appropriate pre-employment checks are suitably recorded on the single central record. This record is monitored regularly to ensure that it is up to date. Consequently, it is likely that this standard will remain met if the material change is granted. Paragraphs 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3)  The school makes occasional use of supply staff. It ensures that the required checks are in place before supply staff work at the school. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraphs 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(7)(b)  The section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 checks are in place. These ensure that staff with leadership and management responsibilities, including members

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Main inspection findings

of the proprietor body, are suitable to manage a school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools  The school building is spacious and well organised and adequately supports the proposed increase in pupil numbers. It is suitable for the age and special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND) of the pupils that may attend the school.  The school proposes to make use of a local authority community building to accommodate some older pupils. This building is situated adjacent to the school and is suitable for the age and SEND of these pupils. Pupils will have sole use of this building during school hours. This additional accommodation is likely to support the school with its intention to increase the number of pupils that the school admits should the material change be granted. Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 23(2), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(d)  There are suitable toilet and washing facilities for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Hot and cold water is available for handwashing. This hot water does not

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Main inspection findings

pose a scald risk. Toilets are for the sole use of pupils. To ensure privacy, toilet cubicles can be locked from the inside. There are separate, suitable toilets for staff and visitors. Accessible toilets are also provided for pupils, staff and visitors. These arrangements are likely to remain suitable should the proposed material change be granted.  The school provides pupils with showering facilities. These facilities will remain appropriate if the request for an increase in pupil numbers is granted. Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)  The medical room is appropriately equipped with a bed, a dedicated toilet and a sink with hot and cold water. There is a first-aid box in the room. This room is therefore suitable for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils and is likely to remain so should the proposed material change be granted. Paragraph 25  The school premises are maintained to a high standard. Regular checks are completed

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Main inspection findings

by staff. Any identified issues are quickly and appropriately addressed. The additional building that the school proposes to use is owned by the local authority. The proprietor has put in place suitable arrangements for ensuring that this additional building is maintained to a similarly high standard should the proposed material change be approved. Paragraph 26  The proprietor has ensured that all areas of the school provide suitable acoustic conditions, which are conducive to learning. This is likely to continue to be the case if the material change is approved. Paragraphs 27, 27(a), 27(b)  All areas of the school, including classrooms, have suitable lighting. The school maintains appropriate outdoor lighting so that visitors, staff and pupils can enter and exit the building safely in the hours of darkness. This is likely to remain the case if the proposed material change is approved. Paragraphs 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(c), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 Sources of drinking-water are clearly labelled. These sources are separate from the toilet and washing facilities. Pupils have access to drinking-water throughout the school day. This is likely to continue to be the case if the proposed material change is approved. Paragraphs 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The proprietor has ensured that pupils have sufficient outside space in which to play and to socialise safely. This outdoor space can also be used for physical education lessons. This space will be suitable if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is approved.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has planned carefully for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The range of strategies and checks that the proprietor has put in place are likely to ensure that the school continues to meet the standards consistently and securely. For example, steps have been taken to ensure that the proposed additional premises are well maintained and are likely to provide pupils with an appropriate standard of accommodation. Staff will be recruited as necessary to ensure that additional pupils are well supervised and safe.  The proprietor has ensured that all standards checked during this inspection are likely to be met if the proposed increase in numbers is granted, along with the use of the proposed additional premises.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed material change is

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an appropriate accessibility policy in place which ensures that the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 are likely to continue to be met should the proposed material change be approved.

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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

Proprietor Aspris New Education Services Limited

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £87,154 to £119,244

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School details

Email address jennypowell@aspriscs.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10 to 12 October 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 6 to 19 6 to 19 6 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 45 55 55

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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 45 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 45 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 45 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 45 55

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 9 9

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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 88 88

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Information about this school

 The last standard inspection took place on 10 to 12 October 2023.  The school operates from premises at Hallgate, Astley Village, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 1XA .  The school caters for pupils with autism.  The school does not make use of any alternative provisions.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor requested a change to the age range of pupils that the school admits and to the accommodation in which pupils receive their education.  This was the first material change since the previous standard inspection.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and the regional director to discuss the proposed material change. The inspector scrutinised a range of policies and documents relating to this change.  The inspector spoke on the telephone with a member of the proprietor body.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector 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.  The inspector carried out a tour of the school.

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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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Inspection team

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