Lodge Farm Education

School material change inspection report

p.1

Lodge Farm Education Lodge Farm, Sutton in the Elms, Leicester Road, Broughton Astley LE9 6RB

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b) and 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school has ensured that all staff make pupils’ safety and well-being a high priority. There is an open culture of vigilance where staff carefully consider pupils’ welfare.  Work to keep pupils safe is built around the strong relationships that staff develop with pupils. As well as in lessons, staff spend time with pupils during social times, including at the start of the school day, and during the morning and lunch breaks. These opportunities enable staff to monitor pupils’ welfare and to discuss with pupils any concerns that pupils may have.  Daily meetings of the whole staff enable discussions about how each pupil has presented that day in terms of their behaviour and welfare. These meetings allow leaders and staff to respond to any concerns that may have emerged and to decide

p.1

Main inspection findings

how to support the pupils the following day.  Each pupil meets frequently with their assigned key worker. Such opportunities provide a further means for the school to monitor pupils’ well-being and provide appropriate support.  Pupils say that they feel safe. They say that there are staff with whom they can share any concerns that they may have. They are confident that staff will listen to them and support them to help resolve their problems.  Staff receive regular training in safeguarding. They know the signs to look for that may indicate concerns relating to pupils’ welfare. Staff know how to pass these concerns on to leaders responsible for safeguarding.  Staff know how to refer any concerns that they may have about the actions of other staff towards pupils. Staff know that they can escalate their concerns to professionals outside the school if they need to.  Safeguarding leaders respond appropriately to concerns about pupils’ welfare. They

p.1

Main inspection findings

ensure that pupils receive appropriate support, including from external agencies.  Leaders closely monitor attendance. They contact parents and carers when they have a concern about pupils’ absence.  The school is aware of the risks to which their pupils are particularly vulnerable. Staff ensure that pupils learn how to keep themselves safe, including through the personal, social and health education curriculum. For example, pupils are taught about the risks of vaping and about how to keep safe online.  Staff also take advantage of other occasions to discuss with pupils how they can keep themselves safe. Such occasions include when staff spend time with pupils at break and lunchtimes, or in key-worker meetings.  The school’s safeguarding policy, which reflects the latest statutory guidance, is available on the school’s website. Paragraphs 11 to 12  Leaders undertake the necessary health and safety and fire safety checks, in line with

p.2

Main inspection findings

the school’s health and safety policy. Checks are undertaken by external professionals, when this is appropriate or required.  Regular fire drills take place so that pupils know what to do in the event of a fire. Paragraph 14  There is a sufficient number of staff to ensure appropriate supervision of the pupils.  The school has a suitable staff recruitment plan to ensure that supervision will continue to be appropriate if the school receives permission to implement the material change. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  The school’s risk assessment policy provides appropriate guidance. The policy identifies that all risks, and the actions necessary to mitigate them, are discussed by the staff as whole. This is to ensure that staff have a secure understanding of how to identify risk and the required actions that should be taken in response.  The school has in place risk assessments for the school site and for activities including

p.2

Main inspection findings

trips and educational visits. These assessments identify appropriate risks and provide guidance to staff in relation to suitable mitigations. These risk assessments are reviewed regularly, including when an off-site activity takes place.  Pupils have individual risk assessments. These identify the level of vulnerability that pupils demonstrate in respect of identified risks. Appropriate actions that staff should take to mitigate these risks are clearly set out. These risk assessments link directly to pupils’ individual behaviour plans. These plans provide further guidance as to the actions staff should take when pupils begin to show signs that they are struggling to regulate their own behaviour.  The individual pupil risk assessments and behaviour plans are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are up to date. This includes when pupils are identified as engaging in new, risky behaviours.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards (the

p.2

Main inspection findings

standards) checked in these parts if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(6)  The school is aware of all the checks that must be undertaken for any new staff to provide assurance as to their suitability to work with pupils. These checks take place before staff take up their role at the school.  The school does not use supply staff. However, the school is aware of the checks that are required before engaging with such staff, should the school decide to use them.  All recruitment checks are recorded on the school’s single central record.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 28(1)(a) to 28(2)(b)  The school has appropriate toilets available for the sole use of pupils. These have an adequate supply of cold water. The water in the washing facilities does not pose a scalding risk to pupils.  The school has a shower for pupils to use.  Pupils have access to drinking water in the dining room. This is available to them at all times and is clearly marked. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2)  The school has an appropriate medical room for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils. While the room is also used as an office, its use is prioritised as a medical room when the need arises. Paragraphs 25 to 27(b)  The school site is maintained to a good standard.  The acoustics of the different rooms are appropriate.  There is appropriate lighting in place, both internally and externally. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)

p.3

Main inspection findings

 There is a large outdoor garden and a large barn, both of which are available to pupils to use during their social time, and to use for their physical education.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The chair of the proprietor body has a secure understanding of the standards that were checked on this inspection. He has ensured that the school meets these standards.  The chair of the proprietor body is often in the school. He meets with school leaders to check that the standards are met. He undertakes his own checks to assure himself of the school’s compliance with the standards.  The school is likely to meet the standard in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

p.3

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.

p.5

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.

p.6

School details

School status Independent special school

p.6

School details

Email address natalie@lodgefarmeducation.org

p.6

School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 4 to 6 May 2022

p.6

recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 17 11 to 17 11 to 17

p.6

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 10 12 12

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 10 12

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 10 12

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 10 12

p.7

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 10 12

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 5 6

p.7

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

p.7

Information about this school

 The school caters for pupils with behavioural, social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. They attend from different local authorities.  The school uses one unregistered alternative provision.

p.7

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to check the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the proposed change to increase to 12 the maximum number of pupils that the school is permitted to have on roll.  This was the school’s first material change inspection for this proposed change.  The DfE commissioned the inspector to inspect the suitability of the school’s provision in relation to: policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment; supervision of pupils; recruitment of staff; the suitability of the premises and accommodation; and the quality of leadership and management.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other leaders, a member of the governing body, the chair of the proprietor body, and staff.  The inspector met with some pupils.  The inspector undertook a tour of the school site.

p.8

Information about this inspection

 The inspector considered school documentation in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment. He looked at the school’s single central record and the school’s procedures for undertaking checks on new staff.

p.8

Inspection team

Simon Hollingsworth, 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.8

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.9

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.9

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.9

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.9

Inspection team

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

p.9

Inspection team

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

p.9