Alderwasley Hall School

Alderwasley Hall School Higg Lane, Alderwasley, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 2SR

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school has made sure that the arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils are effective. These arrangements have regard to the most recent guidance issued by the Secretary of State in relation to safeguarding children in education.  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. The policy is readily available to parents and carers. This policy reflects the latest guidance.  The school ensures that staff are well trained and understand their safeguarding responsibilities. This training includes, for example, safeguarding learning related to relationships and sex education, sexualised behaviour and harmful sexual behaviour. Staff receive regular safeguarding updates. The school is aware of the potential risks that pupils may face. Staff understand the need to be vigilant and know how to

p.1

Main inspection findings

respond when they are concerned about pupils’ welfare.  The school, and safeguarding leaders in particular, know pupils very well. They take swift and appropriate actions when welfare concerns are identified. Leaders work closely and effectively with other agencies and professionals to make sure that pupils get additional support when needed. The school has detailed child protection records.  The school ensures that all safer recruitment checks are undertaken before adults start working with pupils. This information is recorded on the school’s single central record. The school’s approach to safer recruitment is robust.  Pupils are taught about safety and potential risks. They learn how to keep themselves safe when in the community and when online. They learn about appropriate and inappropriate relationships in their relationships and sex education lessons. Pupils know that staff listen and do the right thing when they share any concerns or worries.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Pupils say that they are safe and happy at school.  The school has established and maintained a strong culture of safeguarding. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  The school has an appropriate risk assessment policy. The policy gives clear guidance to staff. The policy sets out the steps to undertake that identify potential risks and the actions to be undertaken to mitigate and reduce potential risks in different situations and contexts.  Staff are trained to create appropriate, detailed and bespoke risk assessments. All risk assessments are reviewed appropriately. Individual pupils’ risk assessments are reviewed often and regularly. These are adapted to particular changes in pupils’ circumstances. Detailed risk assessments are written when pupils display concerning and inappropriate behaviours. These risk assessments are reviewed weekly.  The school ensures that risk assessments are used effectively to promote pupils’

p.1

Main inspection findings

welfare. The risk assessment policy is implemented effectively.  The school meets the requirements of these independent school standards (the standards).

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34 to 34(c)  Leaders, including the proprietor, have good knowledge and understanding of those standards checked on this inspection. They demonstrate appropriate skills to ensure that these standards are securely and consistently met.  Leaders have nurtured and maintained a positive culture of safeguarding. They ensure that pupils are safe. They have effective systems in place to continually review the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures. Leaders lead by example and actively promote pupils’ well-being.  The school meets the requirements of this standard.

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.4

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.4

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £82,900 to £122,900

p.4

School details

Website https://senadgroup.com/alderwasley/

p.4

School details

Email address Alderwasley.info@senadgroup.com

p.4

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 12 to 14 July 2022

p.4

Information about this school

 Alderwasley Hall School is an independent special school.  The school provides education for pupils aged between five and 20 years.  The school is located on two sites. Pupils in key stages 1, 2 and 3 and pupils in Year 10 attend the site at the registered address. Pupils in Year 11 and post-16 students attend a site located at Derby Road, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4BN.  Pupils who attend the school have autism. Most pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs. Many have speech, language and communication difficulties. Almost all pupils have an education, health and care plan.  Pupils travel to the school from several local authorities. Most pupils are placed at the school by nearby local authorities, including Derbyshire, Derby City and Nottinghamshire.  The school does not use the services of any alternative provision.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place from 12 to 14 July 2022.

p.4

Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned this emergency inspection due to concerns related to safeguarding.  The DfE commissioned the lead inspector to check the school’s approach to safeguarding, risk assessments and the quality of leadership and management.  The inspection was carried out without notice.  The inspector met with the headteacher and senior leaders. He met with the chair of the proprietor board.  The inspection has considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents. These requirements of the standards are met.  The inspector considered a wide range of documents, including the risk assessment policy and samples of risk assessments.

p.6

Inspection team

Chris Davies, 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 .

p.6

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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.

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 . 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.7

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7