Serenity School Eltham

Serenity School Eltham 70 Court Road, London SE9 5NP

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(a), 3 to 3(g), 3(j)  Concerns were raised about the quality of education provided by the school.  Leaders have established an ambitious curriculum that is tailored to pupils’ interests. As well as learning English, mathematics and science, older pupils can select from a wide range of options, including health and social care and sports coaching. Each pupil follows an individualised curriculum that includes therapeutic support and teaching adapted to meet their needs.  Pupils are assessed on joining the school. This information is used to enable staff to identify suitable curriculum pathways. Staff ensure that pupils get the help and resources they need to work towards their education, health and care plan (EHC plan) targets.  Teacher and support staff’s knowledge of pupils’ needs is strong. This, along with high staff-to-pupil ratios, means pupils’ needs are well met in lessons. Planned activities

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Main inspection findings

take into account the ages, aptitudes and abilities of pupils.  The school does not discriminate against pupils, contrary to part 6 of the Equality Act 2010.  The school has ensured that these independent school standards (the standards) are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  Concerns were raised about the school’s arrangements to safeguard pupils.  The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. It reflects the most recent statutory guidance.  Staff receive regular safeguarding training as well as frequent updates about pertinent local safeguarding issues. They are required to complete online courses as part of their induction, for example in relation to meeting the requirements of the ‘Prevent’ duty. Staff know how to report safeguarding concerns related to pupils or to their colleagues. They do this in a timely way. Leaders respond to any concerns quickly. The school works well with outside agencies to safeguard pupils.  Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe, for instance when crossing the road and when using social media. They feel safe at school and know who to speak to if they have any worries. Pupils value the trusting professional relationships they have with

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Main inspection findings

staff.  Pupils described the many ways that staff help them with strategies to manage their own behaviour. They were particularly appreciative of the new sensory room which helps them to stay calm. Paragraphs 9 to 10  Concerns were raised about the school’s management of pupils’ behaviour.  The school has clear behaviour and positive handling policies. Staff receive regular training in their implementation. Staff feel well supported by school leaders in managing pupils’ behaviour. As a result, incidents of positive handling are rare.  Staff log behaviour incidents carefully. This information is collated and analysed. Leaders look for trends that inform additional support for pupils who struggle. This includes bespoke mentoring programmes where pupils learn about topics related to their own behaviour issues. There is a staged and systematic approach to bullying. Pupils said that bullying is rare. They have confidence in staff to deal with any

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Main inspection findings

incidents quickly.  The school balances behaviour sanctions with rewards effectively. Pupils gain points that build towards bronze, silver and gold awards. They gain vouchers for excellent work, effort and behaviour. These incentives encourage pupils to work hard and to behave well. Paragraphs 11 and 14  Concerns were raised about the school’s health and safety arrangements.  The school has a clear health and safety policy. There are well-managed systems and processes in place to ensure that pupils and staff are safe at school. The health and safety policy is implemented effectively.  Concerns were expressed about a lack of staff supervision of pupils.  Pupils are supervised at all times of the school day. Staff meet pupils who arrive by taxi and escort them into school. They supervise pupils at breaktime and lunchtime. In lessons, pupils are well supported due to small class sizes and additional adult

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Main inspection findings

support. This helps them focus on their work and complete it well. Paragraph 16  Concerns were raised about the school’s use of risk assessments.  The risk assessment policy is comprehensive. Risk assessments for educational visits include potential hazards and how these will be controlled. Staff are expected to note how they will monitor hazards throughout the visit to keep pupils safe.  Each pupil has a behaviour support plan which identifies triggers and risks. These are used by staff effectively in their management of pupils’ behaviour.  The school has ensured that the standards in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18 and 19  Concerns were raised about the school’s pre-employment checks on staff.  The single central record of checks on staff is clear and compliant. It includes section 128 checks for those in leadership positions and prohibition checks for staff in regulated activity. Sufficient staff are trained in safer recruitment. Systems for checking the validity of staff references, identity and overseas checks, where required, are robust.  The school does not routinely use staff from supply agencies. However, there are systems in place to check information provided by these partner agencies.  Leaders work closely with the local authority designated safeguarding officer to seek advice regarding any safeguarding issues, including those related to staff.  The school has ensured that these standards are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)  Concerns were raised about aspects of the leadership and management of the school.  Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of the standards. The proprietor body has put robust accountability systems in place to ensure that the school consistently meets these standards.  The school ensures that the extensive resources used are high quality and finely tuned to individual needs. Classrooms are supplied with a range of equipment that actively promotes the well-being of pupils as well as their education. With their individual needs known, understood and carefully addressed, the school ensures that pupils are safe and independent and have positive attitudes to their learning.  The school does not sit in isolation. Leaders actively promote the well-being of pupils through close partnership work with families, numerous external agencies and several

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Main inspection findings

local authorities. They seek advice if required. They share best practice in many ways. This helps them remain reflective and open to challenge from the local authorities who place pupils at the school.  The school invests extensively in its human resources. The recruitment process is robust. Leaders build upon this through a range of training and support across all aspects of school life, including the curriculum, safeguarding and health and safety. Staff value this. They show expertise in supporting the learning and behaviour of each pupil.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Type of school Other independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £41,000 to £76,000

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School details

Email address office@serenityschool.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 26 to 28 April 2022

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Information about this school

 The headteacher took up her post in September 2024.  Serenity School Eltham is an independent special school located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The school is based at 70 Court Road, London, SE9 5NP.  The school provides for pupils with autism and pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an EHC plan and are placed by a variety of local authorities.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place in April 2022. The most recent additional inspection took place in September 2024.  The school does not make use of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because of concerns raised with them about the curriculum, behaviour and safeguarding.  The inspection was carried out without notice.  Inspectors held meetings with school leaders, including the headteacher, other senior leaders and the chair of the proprietor body.  Inspectors visited all classrooms accompanied by senior staff.  Inspectors met with groups of pupils and a group of teaching and support staff.  Inspectors reviewed a range of documentation, including curriculum planning, behaviour records, health and safety information and risk assessments.  Inspectors spoke to representatives from the local authority.  The inspection of safeguarding included meeting with the leaders responsible for safeguarding, reviewing of documents related to the safer recruitment of staff, reviewing safeguarding record-keeping and considering relevant aspects of the

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Inspection team

Lisa Strong, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Gary Rawlings 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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