High Grange School

School material change inspection report

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High Grange School Hospital Lane, Mickleover, Derbyshire DE3 0DR

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school ensures that all staff promote pupils’ well-being and safety through all aspects of its work. Pupils’ interests are at the heart of all that the school does.  The school has created an open culture of vigilance around safeguarding. All staff take their responsibility to safeguard pupils seriously. The school is alert to safeguarding risks, including those that are most pertinent to the school’s cohort.  Daily briefings ensure that all staff are fully aware of pupils’ ongoing and changing needs. Staff review pupils’ successes and needs at the end of each day. This ensures staff are able to put in place appropriate support or to make any necessary amendments to pupils’ provision.  Positive relationships between pupils and staff support the school’s work to promote pupils’ well-being. Staff greet pupils at the start of each day and help them to prepare

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Main inspection findings

for the day’s learning. Pupils know they can speak to staff about any concerns that they may have. They know they will be taken seriously and are confident staff will help them. Pupils say they feel safe and happy in school.  The school’s curriculum supports pupils to understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintain healthy lifestyles. Leaders regularly review the impact of the curriculum to ensure that it continually provides for pupils’ needs. The school provides bespoke additional educational support to pupils who need further help to understand safeguarding matters.  Staff understand how to report any safeguarding concerns they may have about another adult’s conduct. They know how to escalate matters should it become necessary.  Staff are well trained and knowledgeable about safeguarding issues. They know how to raise concerns and are confident that leaders will take appropriate and prompt

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Main inspection findings

action in response.  The school’s safeguarding policy, which reflects the latest statutory guidance, is published on the school’s website. Paragraphs 11 and 12  The school has implemented an appropriate health and safety policy. It clearly identifies roles and responsibilities. All staff understand their responsibilities in relation to health and safety. Leaders have ensured that the appropriate checks to health and safety, and to fire regulations, are completed and recorded routinely.  Regular fire drills take place so that all staff and pupils know what to do in the event of a fire.  The proprietor has ensured that the health and safety policy incorporates the additional accommodation to facilitate the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll. This includes in relation to fire safety. Paragraph 14  The school has ensured that there is appropriate supervision of pupils. There is a high ratio of staff to pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 The school has drawn up an appropriate plan to ensure that appropriate staff will be recruited and be in role to facilitate the proposed increase in numbers on roll.  The proprietor prioritises staffing levels and training to ensure the well-being and safety of pupils. Paragraphs 16 to 16(b)  The school’s risk assessment policy is comprehensive and provides appropriate guidance. It considers all aspects of the school’s work, including activities on and off site. The policy includes the recently opened accommodation block that houses the school’s new hydrotherapy pool and therapy suite.  All pupils have an individual risk assessment that is bespoke to their needs. Risk assessments are reviewed often and amended accordingly. All staff are aware of the contents of the risk assessments and implement them effectively.  Staff are well trained in recognising risks to pupils. They are alert to pupils’ changing

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Main inspection findings

needs and are vigilant in responding.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards (the standards) in these parts if the school receives approval for the implementation of 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 is aware of all the checks that must be undertaken to ensure staff’s suitability to work with children. The school ensures that all necessary checks are undertaken before staff take up their role in the school.  The school does not use supply staff. However, the school is aware of the checks that are required before any such staff would be used should the school decide to do so.  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.

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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 suitable toilet and washing facilities in each block of accommodation. The water is of a suitable temperature and does not pose a scalding risk.  There is appropriate changing accommodation and showers available for all pupils.  Each accommodation block has access to drinking-water that is clearly labelled.  The premises are suitable to accommodate the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2)  There is a medical room which has suitable accommodation for the short-term care of pupils who are sick or injured. It is available at all times. Paragraphs 25 to 27(b)  The site and accommodation are maintained to a high standard. All reasonable care is taken to ensure pupils’ safety and welfare.  The acoustics are appropriate in all areas of the school’s accommodation.

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Main inspection findings

 Internal lighting is suitable. There is appropriate external lighting to ensure people’s safe access and egress. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  There are several outdoor spaces around the school site. These provide pupils with a range of spaces to play and socialise. There is a purpose-built astroturf pitch that is suitable for pupils’ 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.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that leaders have the knowledge and skills to provide strong leadership in all aspects of the school’s work.  Leaders know and understand the requirements of the standards and ensure that they are met consistently.  The chair of the proprietor body knows the school well. He ensures that he maintains clear oversight of the school’s work. Members of the proprietor body are based on the school’s site. They work closely with leaders to ensure effective oversight.  The proprietor makes sure that all involved in the school work in pupils’ best interests. He, and other leaders, actively promote pupils’ well-being.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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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) £88,468 to £113,937

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School details

Email address office@highgrangeschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6 June 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 19 5 to 19 5 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 83 99 99

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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 83 99

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 83 99

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 83 99

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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 83 99

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 26 30

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 63 84

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Information about this school

 The school caters for pupils with a diagnosis of autism. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. Pupils are placed at the school and funded by several different local authorities.  The school uses one registered and eight unregistered alternative provisions.  The school is registered for 81 pupils. It currently has 83 pupils on roll. It is thus operating beyond its registration.  The school’s previous standard inspection was in June 2023.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to check the school’s likely compliance with the standards relevant to the proposed change. The proprietor has applied to increase to 99 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 for 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 principal, 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, including the newly opened therapy

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Information about this inspection

building.  The inspector considered school documents in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment. She reviewed the school’s single central record and the school’s procedures for undertaking checks on new staff. The inspector also reviewed safeguarding records.

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Inspection team

Deborah Mosley, 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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