Cicely Haughton

Inspection report for residential special school - Cicely Haughton 1 Cicely Haughton Cicely Haughton School, Westwood Manor, Wetley Rocks, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST9 0BX Residential provision inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential special school

Cicely Haughton is part of the Manor Hall Academy Trust. It offers day and residential places to children aged five to 11 years with social, emotional, and mental health needs.

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Information about this residential special school

There are 53 pupils on roll, and the school offers 33 residential places in its residential provision. The residential houses are called Wedgwood and Coalport. The residential provision is part of the school’s education curriculum offer.

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Information about this residential special school

The head of care is suitably experienced and qualified.

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Information about this residential special school

The inspectors only inspected the social care provision at this school.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The residential special school provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the school contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people.

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outstanding

Date of previous inspection: 14 November 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding Inspection report for residential special school - Cicely Haughton 2

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, children have continued to make exceptional progress at this school. Staff ensure that children thrive in a loving, caring and supportive environment. Staff are passionate about providing excellent care and enjoy the time they spend with children. This outstanding, child-focused approach significantly improves children’s lives and experiences.

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outstanding

Children’s views are at the heart and forefront of the school and residence. Regular residential forums and school council meetings support children to share their views, which are acted on by staff. Children feel valued and their feedback is overwhelmingly positive. One child said that they rated their experience as ‘1000 out of 10’. Another child said, ‘the residence is a great place. Everyone loves it.’

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outstanding

Staff ensure that children who have experienced previous challenges in education flourish and achieve. For example, children’s attainment, attendance, behaviour, social skills, independence, communication, and confidence all improve. Children who attend the residential provision make remarkable progress from their starting points.

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outstanding

Children enjoy spending time with their friends. For many children, the residential provision provides them with their only opportunity to have fun with their friends outside of school. Staff ensure that children engage with a range of activities, which develop their confidence and promote their independence and social skills. For example, staff have supported one child to learn how to ride a bike. Other children spoke about their pride at representing the school football team.

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outstanding

Staff and the head of care ensure that children’s transitions are planned meticulously. For example, children have a planned move into the residential provision, which is managed sensitively and effectively. Furthermore, planning for children’s moves to new schools or back to mainstream school begins early. Children are included and have ownership of their own plans. As a result, they are reassured during important moments in their lives.

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outstanding

Children’s parents and carers are an integral part of the school and residence. One parent said that the school ‘has been life changing’ for their child and, ‘It brings out the best in [name of child] and pushes him to his limits with trusted support.’ Another parent said that they ‘can’t ask for better; staff are helpful and caring’, and that their child has changed so much, adding, ‘All I can do is praise that school.’

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outstanding

Staff administer medication safely and meet children’s health needs extremely well. The school nurse works in partnership with staff and parents. This collaborative approach ensures that children’s health needs are being supported effectively. However, recorded consent for first aid to be applied is required from some parents. Inspection report for residential special school - Cicely Haughton 3

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outstanding

Leaders have created an outstanding safeguarding culture in the school. There is an effective system in place for reporting and addressing any concerns. Staff receive safeguarding training that is regularly refreshed and updated. The head of care, who is the designated safeguarding lead, has an excellent understanding of children’s needs. Consequently, children flourish in a safe and supportive environment.

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outstanding

Children become safer and their vulnerabilities reduce as a result of the support they receive in the school and residence. Staff ensure that there are clear boundaries and expectations for children. Children are encouraged to be kind, respectful and to use their manners. As a result, children feel incredibly settled and incidents are rare.

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outstanding

The school’s system for managing children’s anxieties and promoting kindness is exceptional. They use a therapeutic and restorative approach that is strongly linked to improving children’s well-being. There have been no incidents requiring staff to use physical support with children in residence. When incidents take place in school, staff responses and the quality of the records are excellent.

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outstanding

Staff put in place support plans and individual risk assessments to keep children safe. They talk with parents, school colleagues and other professionals to make sure they fully understand children’s vulnerabilities. One parent said, ‘My child is safe at school, and I am made aware of concerns straight away. In my opinion, it is a fantastic school.’

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outstanding

Safer recruitment systems for vetting new staff are highly effective. Thorough records detail all the necessary information about new and existing staff. The site and environment are physically safe and secure. Staff ensure that visitors are closely monitored, signed in and chaperoned.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders are inspirational, child focused and have high expectations for what children can achieve. They lead by example and provide a supportive platform that enables staff to change and improve the lives of children. The residential provision is an integral part of the school and provides a remarkable service that enhances the life experiences of all children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The head of care is a vital part of the school’s senior leadership team. She is organised and is an excellent role model for staff and children. The head of care leads a committed team of staff who want the very best for the children. They continuously strive to break down the barriers that children face in their emotional health and social relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive high-quality induction, reflective and regular supervision and annual performance development reviews. These are aligned to the ethos of the school, the Inspection report for residential special school - Cicely Haughton 4 team’s needs, and individuals’ own areas of development. There are also robust daily handovers and weekly development meetings. These systems support staff to develop in their role, work as a team and provide children with consistently outstanding care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The school’s governing body monitors the effectiveness of the leadership, management and delivery of the residential provision. The independent person regularly visits the residential provision and meets with the staff and children. Their reports ensure that high standards of care practice are maintained and there is continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are suitably qualified to care for children. Leaders ensure that a comprehensive training programme supports staff to meet children’s individual needs. Learning is underpinned by theory-based practice and has a positive impact on children. The head of care continues to look for ways to develop staff practice and the qualifications they complete.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and staff develop and maintain excellent relationships with professionals. They go above and beyond to advocate for children to ensure that children receive the best possible support in all areas of their lives. One professional said, ‘The school is fantastic. They go above and beyond their role to support and advocate for [name of child]’s needs. More so than any school I have ever worked with before.’ Inspection report for residential special school - Cicely Haughton 5

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Points for Improvement

 The school should ensure that they have recorded parental permission for medical, dental and first-aid treatment.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for residential special school - Cicely Haughton 6

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Residential special school details

Social care unique reference number: SC038731

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Residential special school details

Headteacher/teacher in charge: Janey Hancock

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Residential special school details

Type of school: Residential special school

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Residential special school details

Email address: jhancock@cicely.manorhall.academy

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Inspectors

Dean Wilton, Social Care Inspector (lead) Sonia Sullivan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential special school - Cicely Haughton 7 to 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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