New Barn School

School material change inspection report

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New Barn School Guildford Road, Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex RH12 3PQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b), 9 to 12, 14, 16 to 16(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective. There is a detailed and appropriate safeguarding policy which is published on the school’s website and contains the current statutory guidance.  All new staff complete a comprehensive safeguarding training as part of their induction. This also includes specific training about the ‘Prevent’ duty and online safety. Staff understand very clearly the additional vulnerabilities that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can have. They receive regular safeguarding training and are vigilant.  Leaders, governors and the proprietor body are knowledgeable about their responsibilities with respect to protecting and promoting the welfare, health and safety of pupils and staff. Safeguarding procedures and records show that the school

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Main inspection findings

works effectively with parents, carers and external agencies to ensure pupils’ safety.  The school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are appropriate. Staff are proactive and encourage positive behaviours. The policies set out clear procedures to address unacceptable behaviours, including as part of the anti-bullying procedure.  The school gives due regard to health and safety arrangements, including in the new building. Health and safety procedures are underpinned by an appropriate written policy that complies with the necessary laws and guidance. A range of specialist companies are used to ensure that compliance is consistently maintained and monitored accordingly.  The school checks the extensive site as a matter of routine. Any issues are addressed in a timely way. Consequently, its premises are well maintained and safe for pupils and staff. The new purpose-built large building, which will house the secondary phase

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Main inspection findings

of the school, meets health and safety requirements. It is spacious and will easily accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  Together with the leadership team, the site manager ensures that the school premises and procedures continue to comply with fire safety regulations. The proprietor commissions an annual external audit of fire safety arrangements to ensure that the school complies with all requirements. Regular fire drills take place to ensure that everyone knows the evacuation procedures in the event of a fire.  The school is well staffed and there is a high level of supervision and support for pupils. It has thought carefully about how pupils currently attending the school will be affected by the proposed increase in numbers. The school intends to increase pupil numbers gradually over the next two years.  The school is diligent in completing necessary risk assessments. It follows well

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Main inspection findings

considered policies and procedures to ensure that these are consistent. The school has also ensured that appropriate risk assessments are in place when pupils are away from the school site.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards in this part are likely to be met by the school if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)(a) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c) to 21(1)), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  The single central record meets statutory requirements. Robust procedures ensure that recruitment and suitability checks are completed appropriately. Leaders and governors have completed relevant training in safer recruitment procedures.  The school does not use the services of supply staff. Leaders are knowledgeable in the

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Main inspection findings

relevant checks that would need to be made if this were to be the case.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards in this part are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The school is located on an expansive six acre site in West Sussex and owned by the proprietor body. The standards of accommodation and facilities in the main school and new building are of high quality. There are many well-resourced classrooms, breakout areas and therapy rooms. The school also has several specialist classrooms for the teaching of subjects such as design and technology, science, physical education, art and music. All rooms are light, bright, spacious and comfortable. The furnishings are appropriate to the purpose of the rooms. Careful thought has been given to pupils’

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Main inspection findings

individual behaviour, emotional and sensory needs.  Appropriate toilet facilities are provided in all areas in the main school and the new building, with hot and cold running water. Hot water is at an appropriate temperature. Pupils have access to shower and changing rooms in the new building and in the separate sports facilities, which include a well-equipped gym.  Pupils have access to drinking water throughout the day.  There is a dedicated medical room in the main school and in the new building. The medical rooms provide suitable space and facilities for the care of any pupil who becomes ill during the day. Controlled medicines are stored securely, with appropriate arrangements in place for administering them safely.  The school’s expansive and well-maintained site provides plenty of space for pupils to play, learn and socialise. The grounds are also used to support the school’s specialist life skills curriculum. These include large fields and a dedicated forest school area. The

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Main inspection findings

school has large playing fields. The site is securely fenced and gated throughout.  Lighting and acoustics are all fit for purpose.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards in this part are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body’s ambition to continue to provide an inspiring and engaging special school for pupils with complex social, emotional, and mental health needs is readily evident. Work completed to date, including the new building and the development of policies, has all been to exacting standards.  School leaders and governors have extensive experience of running special schools. They have drawn on this experience to identify effectively what needs to be done to make sure that the facilities and general design of the new building are suitably

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Main inspection findings

adapted to pupils’ specific sensory needs. Leaders’ care for pupils and their commitment to providing high-quality education are clear and compelling.  Governors bring a wide range of skills and expertise to their roles. They conduct regular audits to review the school’s work. Governors use this information to check about all aspects of the school’s work and ensure that the independent school standards are met securely.  The school is likely to meet the requirements in this part of the independent school standards if the material change is agreed.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school is committed to ensuring that all pupils have access to a high-quality education. Its accessibility plan reflects leaders’ consideration of pupils’ needs and the reasonable adaptations made to accommodate these.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £59,144 to £66,529

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School details

Email address info@treehouseeducare.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 18 to 20 October 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 19 7 to 19 7 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 87 120 120

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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 87 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 87 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 87 120

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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 87 120

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 26 33

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 28 36

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Information about this school

 The headteacher was appointed to her post in January 2023.  The school caters for pupils with autism and associated difficulties. Many have been out of education for long periods before joining the school.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place in October 2022, when the school was judged good for overall effectiveness. A material change inspection took place in February 2022, in which the school was permitted to increase pupil numbers from 68 to 80. In December 2023, the Department for Education (DfE) agreed for the school’s roll to increase to 90.  The school uses one alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor body would like to increase the school’s capacity from 90 to 120 pupils.  Prior to arrival on site, the inspector scrutinised the school’s website and documents, along with records sent electronically once the inspection was announced.  The inspector toured the site with the headteacher, a managing director who is also the chair of the local governing board, and the site manager. She discussed the proposals and actions taken to meet the standards with a range of staff.  The inspector held meetings with the proprietor, one of the managing directors, the headteacher and senior leaders.  The inspector also met with a group of staff and some pupils.

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Inspection team

Shazia Akram, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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