Esland Grantham School

School material change inspection report

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Esland Grantham School Newton Chambers, Isaac Newton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 9RT

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. It is up to date and in line with the current national guidance.  Staff are knowledgeable about the increased vulnerabilities of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities with regard to safeguarding. Staff know what to do should any safeguarding concerns arise.  Any safeguarding concerns are followed up quickly and appropriately. When necessary, the school ensures that the relevant authorities and agencies are informed of these concerns and suitable support is put in place.  Pupils have trusted adults who help them with any worries or concerns. Pupils speak positively about the secure relationships they develop with their peers and with adults at the school.  Staff receive appropriate training that is specific to the needs of the pupils that attend

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Main inspection findings

the school. Some of this training links to the different safeguarding risks that the pupils in their care may face. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16 to 16(b)  The school has thought through the health, safety and risk implications of opening an additional building. The school follows suitable policies and risk assessments when carrying out checks of the school’s premises. Staff ensure that any possible risks to pupils’ welfare and safety are minimised.  The new accommodation is equipped with appropriate fire safety equipment and emergency lighting.  Appropriate systems are used to record incidents relating to health and safety, including accidents and illness.  The proprietor has suitable plans in place to maintain effective supervision when pupil numbers increase in line with the requested material change.  The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards (the standards) checked in this part if the material change is implemented.

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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), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  The school has appropriate recruitment procedures in place. All the necessary pre- employment checks are made before an offer of employment is given.  The school’s single central record meets the necessary requirements. It demonstrates a secure understanding of the need to keep this record up to date.  The proprietor has completed the required checks of those persons who hold leadership and management positions in the school.  The school does not plan to use supply staff to cover unplanned staff absences. However, it has ensured that there are rigorous systems in place should the need arise.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 25 to 29(1)(b)  An additional building, adjacent to the current premises, will house a sports hall, a medical room and additional therapy spaces. The new accommodation has been renovated, decorated and furnished to a high standard.  The school premises have sufficient toilet and washing facilities for the proposed number of pupils.  The school’s site is secured with electronic fencing.  There is suitable lighting, both inside and outside the buildings.  Drinking-water from taps is clearly labelled. Pupils can also obtain drinking-water from free-standing water units.  Suitable outdoor spaces are available for the proposed number of pupils. These include a designated space for physical activities, as well as spaces for activities such as gardening.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has a clear rationale for why it wants to increase the number of pupils on the school’s roll. This is linked to the increased demand for school places for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school is well positioned to prepare its pupils well for their next stage in education, training or employment.  The school has made suitable plans to make sure that it is likely to continue to meet the standards that were checked during this inspection if the material change is approved.  The proprietor has established a multi-layered leadership structure. This allows the proprietor to support the school effectively and hold it to account. This ensures that the school fulfils its responsibilities towards its pupils.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the material change is

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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

Email address suzanneharvey@eslandcare.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 January to 1 February 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 18 7 to 18 7 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 28 38 38

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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 28 38

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 28 38

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 27 38

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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 27 38

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 12 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 16 19

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Information about this school

 Esland Grantham School is an independent special school. The proprietor of the school is Esland North Limited.  The school provides education for up to 28 pupils who are aged between seven and 18 years.  The school caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Some of the pupils have a diagnosis of autism. The school also supports pupils with a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and those who have had adverse childhood experiences.  Most pupils that attend the school have an education, health and care plan. Some of the pupils are in the care of the local authority.  The school admits pupils from several local authorities.  The school’s most recent standard inspection was in January 2024.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provision.  The proprietor provides an education outreach team to deliver education to pupils who are registered at the school but who receive their education off site.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned this material change inspection in response to the school’s application to increase the number of pupils it can admit from 28 to 38 pupils. This was the school’s first material change inspection for the proposed change.  The inspector considered the suitability of the school’s provision in relation to arrangements for safeguarding and staff recruitment; the school’s health and safety arrangements; and the quality of leadership and management.  The inspector met with senior leaders, including the headteacher and the director of education. The inspector also met with the chair of the proprietor body, who is also the chair of the governing body.  The inspector met with a group of pupils and a group of staff.  The inspector toured the school’s site, including the new accommodation. A range of evidence, including documents relating to safeguarding, health and safety and risk

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Information about this inspection

assessment, was considered. The inspector also scrutinised the school’s single central record.

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Inspection team

Shaheen Hussain, 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

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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