The Emscote School

School material change inspection report

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The Emscote School Nelsons Lane, Nelsons Lane Industrial Estate, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 5JB

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  There is a safeguarding policy in place that adheres to current government guidance issued by the Secretary of State. It is published on the school’s website. The school provides parents and carers with a copy of the policy on request.  The headteacher is also the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and is suitably trained and knowledgeable in all safeguarding matters. There are two additional DSL trained staff. Protocols in place for staff recruitment and staff induction are effective.  The proprietor and school leaders have a strong understanding of how to keep pupils safe. Staff record concerns in a timely manner. Records show that leaders respond swiftly when concerns are raised. They refer to external agencies when appropriate and liaise with them closely to ensure that pupils and their families are given

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Main inspection findings

appropriate support. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  A health and safety policy is in place and implemented effectively. It is suitable and fit for purpose. The school liaises well with external consultants to help them carry out the required checks. Appropriate fire risk assessments for the premises have been completed and emerging recommendations acted upon.  The school’s written risk assessment policy is implemented well. The school has carried out several risk assessments to ensure that risks to pupils and staff are reduced. For example, there are detailed risk assessments completed for all pupils attending school trips.  Appropriate supervision of all pupils has been arranged. The current staffing structure ensures pupils’ needs are adequately met. There is currently a level of over-staffing at the school to accommodate the proposed higher pupil numbers.  The independent school standards (the standards) in these paragraphs are likely to be

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Main inspection findings

met by the school if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(1) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(5) to 21(6)  The proprietor completes the required pre-employment checks on all new staff. They make sure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Checks on the proprietor, school leaders and governors have been carried out to ensure they have not been barred from running a school.  The school knows how to complete relevant overseas checks on any staff that have worked or lived outside of the UK.  The school has a clear understanding of the documentation required and checks they must complete when they use supply teachers.  These checks are all completed before an individual begins working at the school. Paragraphs 21(1) to 21(3)(b)  The school operates an online single central record. The record meets the requirements of the standards. It includes all staff, the proprietor and governors and

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Main inspection findings

is checked by leaders on a regular basis.  The school goes above and beyond to check that all staff continue to be suitable to work in their school by completing additional checks on them throughout the school year.  These standards are likely 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 Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 25, 26, 27(a), 27(b), 29(1), 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The proprietor has improved the current premises to develop additional teaching and recreational spaces to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The premises consist of a single-storey building. There is ample space outside for pupils to play and for pupils to do physical education. The outside space also includes a seating area for pupils to use.  The premises are in a good state of repair. The site provides suitable accommodation for the extra pupils the school wishes to admit.  The premises have recently been redesigned and refurbished to a high standard. They include suitable classrooms, breakout spaces, a common area, a science laboratory, a large sports hall and a fully equipped fitness studio. All teaching rooms have adequate lighting and suitable acoustics. There is appropriate external lighting.

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Main inspection findings

 The premises has appropriate and sufficient toilets and suitable washing facilities with running hot and cold water for pupils.  The site benefits from suitable shower and changing facilities. They are sufficiently generous to accommodate the proposed extra pupils. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2)  The premises has a dedicated medical room. It has running water and is located near to a toilet facility. It includes a bed and appropriate first-aid equipment. Paragraphs 28(1) to 28(2)(b)  Pupils have access to drinking-water in the common room and staff kitchen. The proprietor supplies lunches for pupils from an external catering company.  The toilet facilities are appropriate. There is safe access to hot water which does not pose a risk of scalding.  These standards are likely 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 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and leaders have secure knowledge of the standards and how to meet them consistently and continually over time. They have used their skills and knowledge to propose this expansion to increase the number of admitted pupils. Together, they have devised clear plans and policies for this expansion and have ensured that the premises are appropriate and staffing is suitable to ensure the adequate supervision of pupils.  The proprietor, along with school leaders, demonstrate suitable knowledge, skills and expertise, as well as high ambitions for every pupil. They are committed to providing a strong quality of education and pastoral care to vulnerable pupils with a range of behavioural and special needs.  The proprietor demonstrates a strong commitment to actively promote pupils’ well- being and welfare, as well as their safety.

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Main inspection findings

 These standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve 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

Annual fees (day pupils) £33,150 or £110 per day for day pupils

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School details

Email address parneetkang@emscoteschool.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 7 to 9 November 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 73 85 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 32 35 Number of part-time pupils 40 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 32 85

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 32 85

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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 32 85

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 15 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 3 3

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Information about this school

 The school provides short-term, part-time and full-time placements for pupils who have experienced difficulties in their home school, have been permanently excluded or are at risk of exclusion.  The school has a number of pupils on its roll full time. All of these pupils have an education, health and care plan. All other pupils are day pupils who spend a limited number of days per week at the school. For these pupils, the school acts as an alternative provision.  Full-time pupils are referred to the school by a range of local authorities. The day- based placements are commissioned directly by the pupils’ home schools.  The school uses two unregistered alternative provisions.  The school’s last standard inspection was in November 2023. The overall effectiveness was judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to establish whether the school would be likely to meet all of the relevant standards if the proposed material change to increase the number of pupils on roll from 75 to 85 was to be implemented.  This was the first material change inspection since the school’s previous standard inspection.  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 met with the headteacher who is also the proprietor, the deputy headteacher and the office manager.  The inspector toured the school premises with the headteacher and deputy headteacher.  The inspector scrutinised documents relating to the welfare, health and safety of

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Information about this inspection

pupils.  The inspector reviewed safeguarding documents.

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Inspection team

Bianka Zemke, 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

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 .

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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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