William Morris School

School material change inspection report

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William Morris School Eastington, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3SH

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b), 32(1)(c)  There is a suitable safeguarding policy in place. It is implemented effectively. The policy is updated annually. It aligns with the most recent guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The policy is published on the school’s website.  Safeguarding procedures are robust. Leaders are knowledgeable about how to keep pupils safe from harm. The school keeps up-to-date records of any concerns. Staff follow up on any concerns swiftly. They understand the added vulnerabilities that pupils at the school face. Staff work with a wide range of external agencies to ensure pupils who are at risk of harm receive the support they need. Staff receive regular update training and have a detailed awareness of contextual safeguarding issues.  The proprietor ensures there is a thorough induction programme. This incorporates safeguarding and health and safety training for all new staff when they join the

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Main inspection findings

school. Appropriate systems and processes ensure that there is an open culture of safeguarding. Paragraph 11, 12, 14, 16 to 16(b)  The proprietor has a written health and safety policy that is implemented effectively. There is a clear cycle of appropriate checks on the premises and equipment to ensure that the school is compliant with requirements.  The school carries out suitable risk assessments as necessary in line with its policy. This ensures that risks to pupils and staff are reduced. Suitable risk assessments for all pupils inform any off-site visits organised by the school.  The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The school’s fire detection systems are suitably maintained and effective. A regular programme of tests and checks is in place. A fire risk assessment has been carried out at the existing premises by a competent person. All remedial actions identified in this

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Main inspection findings

have been addressed.  The school conducts regular fire evacuation drills. The fire assembly point is clearly marked in the school’s outside space.  The school has sufficient staff in place to ensure that all pupils are well supervised at all times. It is proposing to increase the number of staff if the proposed increase in pupil numbers is approved. It is anticipated that the increase in the number on roll will be gradual.  The school has ensured that all these standards in this part are likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve the material change.

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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), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(6)  The school completes the required pre-employment checks on all new staff. It makes sure that all staff are suitable to work with children and young people. Necessary checks have been carried out to ensure that they have not been barred from running a school.  The school does not make use of any supply staff.  The school’s single central record (SCR) records all relevant checks on school staff and the dates on which those checks were made. Minor administrative errors on the SCR were rectified during the inspection.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

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 operates from one main building with three prefabricated classrooms on the same premises. There is ample outside space for pupils to play as well as an area to do physical education. It is well organised with areas for recreation, horticulture and outdoor games. There is suitable changing accommodation and showers for pupils to use.  Learning spaces are well resourced. Some classrooms have interactive white boards. There is an art studio and a large dining room. All teaching rooms have good levels of lighting and suitable acoustics. There is appropriate external lighting for the site.  There are suitable toilet facilities available for the sole use of pupils. There is an adequate supply of water for drinking and washing. Temperature checks are routinely taken to ensure that hot water does not pose any risk of scalding.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has a dedicated medical room. It includes a bed and appropriate first-aid equipment. It has a shower and toilet facility within the room.  The standards in this part are likely to continue 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, headteacher and leaders hold a strong and clear vision for the school. They are committed to providing a high quality of education and pastoral care to vulnerable pupils with a range of complex needs.  Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of the independent school standards (the standards) and how to ensure these are consistently met.  Leaders ensure that pupils’ well-being and safety is a priority. There are effective arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the well-being of pupils. This is

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Main inspection findings

given the highest priority. The ongoing safeguarding training to all staff ensures they meet the requirements set out in current legislation and there is a positive and open culture to safeguarding.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor ensures that the school complies with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £90,051 to £104,793

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School details

Email address info@william-morris.org.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 13 to 16 June 2023

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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 27 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 27 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 27 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 27 50

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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 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 11 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 9

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Information about this school

 The school’s most recent standard inspection took place in June 2023, when the standards were met, and Ofsted judged the school to be good.  William Morris is a specialist provision for pupils with complex needs and associated social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have education, health and care plans. Their placements are funded by several different local authorities.  The school operates on one site: Eastington, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3SH.  The school does not use any 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 would like to increase the school’s capacity from 40 to 50 pupils.  This is the proprietor’s first request for a material change since its previous standard inspection in June 2023.  The inspection focused on some of the welfare, health and safety standards in part 3; all of the standards in part 4 for the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors; all of the standards in part 5 for premises and accommodation and the standards in part 8 for the quality of leadership in and management of schools.  The inspector toured the school with the headteacher, the assistant headteacher and the health and safety officer from the central team.  The inspector scrutinised documents relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector: reviewed the single

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Information about this inspection

central record; took account of the views of leaders, and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher, the assistant headteacher, a trustee and the chair of the proprietary board.

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Inspection team

Wendy D’Arcy, 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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