Include - St Matthews

School material change inspection report

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Include - St Matthews St Matthews House, Brick Row, Darley Abbey, Derby DE22 1DQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 7 to 7(b)  The school ensures that safeguarding arrangements are robust and effective in promoting the welfare of pupils. These arrangements are informed by relevant statutory guidance.  The school fosters a strong culture of safeguarding, where staff are vigilant and proactive in identifying and responding to concerns. The school has trained several staff to handle the potential rise in safeguarding concerns if pupil numbers were to rise.  Staff receive regular safeguarding training and updates. This ensures that they remain alert to the risks pupils may face and understand their responsibilities in keeping pupils safe. The school has clear procedures for reporting and managing safeguarding concerns.  The school works closely with external agencies, including other schools to ensure that pupils receive the support they need. Leaders engage with social care, health

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Main inspection findings

professionals and other relevant services to secure appropriate interventions. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16 to 16(b)  The school has a comprehensive health and safety policy that ensures compliance with all relevant legislation. Leaders conduct regular site inspections and risk assessments to maintain a safe environment for pupils and staff.  The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire risk assessment has been conducted by a qualified professional, and fire safety procedures, including regular drills and equipment checks, are in place to ensure pupils’ and staff’s safety.  The school has established risk assessment procedures for activities both on and off- site. Individual risk assessments are in place for pupils who require additional support, ensuring their safety in school and during external activities.  Staff receive ongoing training in health and safety, risk assessment, and fire safety

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Main inspection findings

protocols. The school has clear procedures for identifying and mitigating risks across the premises and in planned activities. Paragraph 14  The school ensures that pupils are appropriately supervised throughout the school day. Staffing arrangements have been carefully planned to provide adequate support for pupils across different settings.  The proposed increase in pupil numbers has been considered in relation to staff deployment. Leaders have plans in place to recruit additional staff to maintain appropriate supervision levels.  Risk assessments inform supervision arrangements, ensuring that pupils are safe during lessons, breaktimes, and any off-site activities. Staff are aware of their responsibilities in maintaining a secure and structured environment. Paragraph 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The school publishes its safeguarding policy on its website. The school’s safeguarding policy is informed by the relevant statutory guidance.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor has ensured that the independent school standards (the standards) in these parts are likely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3)  The school carries out all required pre-employment checks on staff in line with statutory guidance. Paragraphs 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c)  The school ensures that all necessary pre-employment checks are conducted for supply staff before they begin working with pupils. Leaders verify that supply staff meet all safeguarding and suitability requirements, in line with statutory guidance. Paragraphs 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(6)  All required suitability checks on the three members of the proprietor body have been completed and recorded. These checks include enhanced Disclosure and Barring

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Main inspection findings

Service clearance, identity verification, and checks on prohibition from management of independent schools, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements. Paragraph 21(1) to 21(3)(b)  These checks are recorded on the single central record to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE approves implementation of the material change. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2) to 28(2)(b)  The proprietor ensures that the school’s premises and accommodation are maintained to a high standard, providing a safe and healthy environment for pupils and staff. The school has appropriate toilet, washing and medical care facilities, which are sufficient to meet the needs of the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The facilities are also designed to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND),

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Main inspection findings

including sensory rooms and breakout spaces to meet pupils’ individual needs.  In preparation for admitting more pupils, the proprietor has repurposed space on the main school site to create an additional classroom. Further classrooms have been added on the first floor to accommodate the increase in pupil numbers. These classrooms require minor refurbishments, including the addition of desks and chairs, which are currently in the process of being acquired. These refurbishments will be completed before any further pupils are admitted.  The acoustic conditions and sound insulation across the school are suitable for the activities taking place. Classrooms and learning spaces have been designed to minimise noise disruption and support a focused learning environment.  The lighting in all internal spaces is appropriate for teaching and learning. External lighting is in place to ensure safe entry and exit from the school premises.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  There is suitable outdoor space for pupils to play and partake in physical education. This space can accommodate the proposed number of pupils.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the DfE approves implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34 to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor ensures that the standards are consistently met. The school has robust quality assurance systems in place to monitor and evaluate its provision. The headteacher, who also chairs the proprietor body, has the necessary skills and experience to fulfil their role effectively. The head of centre also plays a key role in ensuring that the school operates in line with its aims and statutory requirements.  The proprietor is strengthening leadership capacity as the school expands. Plans are in place to recruit additional leaders to support the growing pupil numbers. The

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Main inspection findings

recruitment process ensures that leaders appointed have the relevant expertise to uphold high standards of education and welfare.  The school places a strong emphasis on pupils’ well-being, ensuring that their needs remain central to decision-making. Leaders are managing the increase in pupil numbers carefully, with plans in place to admit additional pupils gradually. The school remains committed to only admitting pupils whose needs it can meet effectively.  The school is likely to meet the relevant standards if the DfE approves the material change. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an appropriate accessibility policy and plan. This explains how the school will ensure that pupils with SEND can access the school site and curriculum. The policy takes appropriate account of the proposed increase in the number of pupils.

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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

Email address info@include-education.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 25 50 50

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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 2 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 25 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 6 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 2 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 9

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 12

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Information about this school

 The school uses no alternative provision.  The school has 30 places for pupils and there are 25 pupils currently on the school’s current roll.  The school is located at St Matthews House, Brick Row, Darley Abbey, Derby DE22 1DQ.  The school caters for pupils who have social, emotional or mental health needs, cognitive and learning needs and specific learning difficulties. Some pupils attending the school have education, health and care plans.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE). It was commissioned to consider a material change to the school’s registration agreement with the DfE. The inspection focused on the independent school standards with regard to the welfare, health and safety of pupils, the suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors, premises and accommodation, provision of information regarding safeguarding, and the quality of leadership in and management of the school.  The material change sought by the school related to pupil numbers. The school proposed an increase in the school roll to accommodate up to 50 pupils. This proposal did not affect the nature of the school’s educational provision.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of this particular change that the school has applied to make.  The inspector met with the headteacher, who also chairs the proprietor body. The

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Information about this inspection

inspector also spoke to the head of centre.  The inspector met with the school’s designated safeguarding lead. He looked at safeguarding documentation and record keeping, including the single central record.  The inspector also spoke with staff and pupils about safeguarding.  The inspector toured the school site and scrutinised a range of documentary evidence to check on the statutory requirements of the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Rakesh Patel, 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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