Orange Tree School

School material change inspection report

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Orange Tree School Oakleigh Park North, Whetstone, London N20 9AR

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 16, 16 (a) and 16 (b)  The school is seeking to extend the age range of pupils to include those who are 19 years old. The risk assessment submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) for this extension refers to the independent school standards in this part.  The risk assessment covers key details related to this section, such as information about staff first-aid training, the storage of medication, and care plans for any pupils with complex medical needs. It also outlines clear procedures for fire safety. These aspects are unlikely to require any additional revision if 19-year-olds are admitted to the school. Appropriate changes have been considered in relation to where any 19- year-old student may need to self-administer any medication.  The risk assessment indicates that all pupils have an individual risk assessment and bespoke strategies that are shared with staff, as relevant to the school’s context. The

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Main inspection findings

school has identified clearly how these risk assessments and strategies will be developed, adapted and reviewed if 19-year-olds are admitted to the school.  The risk assessment shows that staff receive safeguarding training and that designated leaders are responsible for safeguarding. It sets out relevant school measures to ensure that pupils are safe when working online, for example the use of software to block access to inappropriate websites and site security.  The risk assessment also shows that the school has systems in place to support and protect vulnerable students. These include access to counselling and one-on-one support. The risk assessment also addresses specific safeguarding considerations for the admission of 19-year-olds, for example information on guidance provided through the curriculum and pastoral care to ensure that these students understand the school’s safeguarding expectations. It also identifies and mitigates for any potential

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Main inspection findings

risks, such as maintaining professional boundaries between 19-year-old students and younger pupils or staff. Additionally, the school has outlined staff training and guidance on the additional risks associated with admitting 19-year-old students.  The risk assessment specifies clearly that all parents and students will agree to follow the school’s code of conduct and behaviour expectations upon admission. It highlights the school’s high staff-to-student ratio, ensuring that staff are present during school hours, breaktimes, lunchtimes, and in lessons. The school requires students over 18 years old to wear a lanyard to assist staff in supervising interactions with younger pupils. The school has also noted that 19-year-old students will have a distinct lanyard for identification. The risk assessment provides adequate details on additional considerations and expectations related to the admission of 19-year-old students,

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Main inspection findings

including any necessary updates to the school’s risk assessment and behaviour policies and procedures.  The school has mitigated for any risks relating to mixed-age socialisation, 19-year-olds administering their own medication and the admissions process for 19-year-old students. It has also considered the potential risks around substance abuse, considering that 19-year-old students can legally purchase alcohol and tobacco products. The risk assessment also accounts for any possible confusion of boundaries between students and staff. All these potential risks have been considered carefully and appropriate preventative measures have been listed.  The relevant independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed material change is implemented.

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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) Ridgway Barnet £187 per day Orange Tree £36,000 to £69,000 Telephone number 02081 481700

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School details

Email address zoe.ramshaw@ellernmede.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6 to 8 February 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 18 8 to 19 8 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 51 unknown no change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 51 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 30 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 21 Not applicable

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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 Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 Ellern Mede School Limited provides education for pupils admitted to the Ellern Mede Ridgeway Hospital for specialist treatment. This school is based at Ellern Mede Ridgeway Hospital, Holcombe Hill, London NW7 4HX. On this site, the school provides education for pupils who are being treated as inpatients at Ellern Mede Hospital.  Ellern Mede School Limited has a second site called the Orange Tree School. This is located at Oakleigh Park North, London N20 9AR. The Orange Tree School provides education for pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities, for example social, emotional and mental health needs. Nearly all pupils at this location have an education, health and care plan.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school’s previous inspection was a standard inspection which took place in February 2024, when the overall effectiveness was judged to be outstanding.

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Information about this inspection

 The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration: to increase its age range to admit pupils aged 19 years who may be required to repeat a year to finish their studies. At the DfE’s request, this inspection was carried out as a desk-based evaluation of the risk assessment submitted by the school to assess whether the school has sufficiently considered all of the risks that the admission of 19-year-old students presents.  This was the second material change inspection in respect of this particular change that the school has applied to make.

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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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Inspection team

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