The Grange School

School material change inspection report

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The Grange School 2 Milner Way, Ossett, West Yorkshire, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF5 9JE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The systems for reporting and reporting safeguarding concerns are thorough. Leaders are aware of their responsibilities related to statutory guidance.  The increase in numbers of pupils from 16 to 40 is likely to increase the number of safeguarding incidents that the school deals with. Leaders have prepared for this in recent months by, for example, reviewing current processes and adopting practices that will allow for the change to happen sustainably.  There are plans to increase the size of the pastoral team when the school moves to the new premises. The size of the safeguarding team is already large considering the number of pupils and is sufficient to cope with an increase in numbers.  The standards in this paragraph are likely to continue to be met if the material changes are implemented. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a), 16(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed new school site is well maintained and recently renovated. There are regular checks which cover, for example, water, fire and building maintenance. The records related to this are well kept and governors have oversight of this. The health and safety policy ensures clarity around potential risks and appropriate responses.  During my visit, there were some issues with a small number of hot and cold taps being incorrectly labelled. Furthermore, a small number of hot water outlets presented a scalding risk to pupils. However, there are sufficient correctly labelled and safely working outlets to ensure that pupils have ample handwashing facilities available for their use. In addition, leaders have a scheduled meeting with the building company responsible for the work to renovate the building. Assurance was obtained that this meeting and subsequent actions will ensure that these issues can be addressed prior

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Main inspection findings

to pupils moving onto the site.  Drinking water is available in the school but, at the time of my visit, was not all correctly labelled as such. Leaders have purchased signage which they will display prior to pupils moving onto the site.  Fire safety equipment in the proposed new school site is in place as appropriate. The school has ensured that relevant checks on the fire alarm systems have been conducted. Leaders have drawn up an evacuation plan for the new building.  A fire risk assessment of the new building has been conducted. Leaders have taken action against the identified risks. Now that all structural and building work is complete, leaders have arranged for a further fire risk assessment to take place before pupils occupy the building to assure themselves that the work conducted adequately mitigates the risks identified.  To ensure appropriate supervision of pupils, and that staff-to-pupil ratios are

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Main inspection findings

maintained when the number of pupils increases, leaders have already employed two additional members of staff. There are plans to employ two more teaching staff before the move to the new building takes place. The growth in pupil numbers from 16 to 40 is being managed slowly so that leaders, staff and pupils are able to adjust to the new environment and ensure that the provision for pupils is not affected by the changes.  Leaders are aware of potential risks to pupils. They take action to minimise risk and have drawn up clear risk assessments to ensure that proper procedures are followed and risks are mitigated. For example, the weekly site walks identify any potential risks from wear and tear in the building and facilities. These are acted on swiftly.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met if the material changes are implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 17, 18(1)–18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(1)–19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) –20(6)(c), 21(1) –21(3)(b), 21(5)–21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)–21(7)(b)  Leaders maintain careful records and carry out appropriate checks on staff that are employed by the school. The single central record is well maintained. Records relating, for example, to identity checks are easily accessible through the school’s management information system.  The Keys group provides support during the application and interview process and there is strategic oversight of systems to ensure that leaders apply policies related to staffing suitability appropriately.  It is likely that the applicable standards in part 4 will continue to be met if the material changes are implemented. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22–24(1)(b), 24(2)–29(2)  The current school site is not large enough to accommodate an increase to pupil numbers. Leaders’ plans are to move all pupils to the new school site so that the

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Main inspection findings

current school site ceases to be a part of The Grange School. The proposed new school site has ample room to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers from 16 to 40. There are 10 classrooms, one of which is a classroom kitchen and one of which is double sized, plus a library. Leaders have clear plans for how the rooms will be used to facilitate the school curriculum. The identified needs of the pupils that attend the school can be met in small groups with space for high staff ratios in the proposed new building.  In addition, there is now a large hall which can be used for assembly and dining. There is also a professional catering kitchen so that the school can provide hot meals to pupils. Neither these facilities, nor a library, exist on the current school site and represent the potential for improving facilities and provision available to pupils as part of the move.  The facilities available to staff at the proposed new site represent an improvement on

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Main inspection findings

those available at the current site and there is room for any increase in staffing numbers to be accommodated in the new building.  The outdoor space is large, well designed and, again, offers an improvement on the current facilities available to pupils. Proposed play equipment, due to be delivered in early December, will mean the new facilities offer suitable provision for the youngest pupils at the school. For example, poly tunnels in a gardening section mean that there is more potential to expand the curriculum offer.  It is likely that these standards will continue to be met if the material changes are implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The proprietor and leaders have made clear plans to ensure, for example, that staffing implications are considered as part of the increase to pupil numbers and move to a new school site. They have considered the ways in which safeguarding procedures

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Main inspection findings

need to be reviewed and amended to ensure that vulnerable pupils continue to be identified and helped.  The move to the school has been carefully planned. Work around building safety has been considered and implemented considering the planned uses.  The proposed new facilities represent the potential to ensure pupils are taught in more appropriate accommodation and to ensure that more pupils can benefit from this. Leaders have a clear, long-term vision for the changes they wish to implement.  Actions identified, for example in relation to fire safety, are undertaken quickly. The school’s own system of checks around site safety are thorough. These is a clear understanding of the responsibilities in relation to the independent school standards at all levels of leadership and governance.  Leaders have considered the implications for pupils around travel to the new school site and have ensured that current registered pupils are not inconvenienced by the

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Main inspection findings

move to the new site.  It is likely that these standards will continue to be met if the material changes are implemented. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The selection, design and renovation of the proposed new school building have paid due regard to ensuring that the building is accessible. For example, the building is a single storey, is step free and all facilities, including outdoors, are accessible to pupils with differing needs.

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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

Website education.keyschildren.co.uk/school/the- grange-school/ Email address admin.thegrange@keyseducation.ac.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 5 to 14 5 to 14 5 to 14

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 13 40 40

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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 16 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 16 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 16 40

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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 16 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 13 23

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this school

 The Grange School is an independent special school that opened in 2009. The school admits pupils who are identified as having social, emotional and mental health needs.  The school is part of Keys Care Limited. The Keys group owns other schools and children’s homes throughout the United Kingdom.  The Grange School shares a headteacher with Denby Grange School and Park House.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school does not make any use of alternative provision.  The school’s last standard inspection was in January 2024. The school was judged to be good overall and was found to meet all the independent school standards during that inspection.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.  The inspection was carried out at the request of the Department for Education (DfE), the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to determine whether the school would meet the independent school standards if the number of registered pupils was increased from 16 to 40 and the school moved from its current address to a new address at: Castleford Three Lanes, Methley Road, Castleford, West Yorkshire WF10 1PN.  The inspector met with the executive headteacher, the associate headteacher and the chair of the governing body. The inspector also met with the chair of the proprietor body.  The inspector conducted a tour of the proposed new premises, including the outdoor space. The inspector also met with pupils in the current school site and reviewed documents related to the standards that the DfE requested to be checked.

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Information about this inspection

 To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector viewed the single central record, took account of the views of leaders and pupils and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

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Inspection team

Matthew Vellensworth, 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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