Options Barton

School material change inspection report

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Options Barton Barrow Road, Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire DN18 6DA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii) and 2(2)(h) to 2(2)(i)  The school has considered the curriculum requirements to meet the learning needs of pupils in key stage 1. This includes pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). In addition, the school has ensured that wider curriculum opportunities will meet the needs of pupils in key stage 1. Paragraphs 2A(1) to 2A(2)  The school has considered statutory guidance when deciding what pupils of different ages will learn in the relationships and health education curriculum. Aspects of the relationships and health education curriculum are woven into the wider curriculum.  Relationships education and related themes increase in complexity and maturity as pupils move through the school.  The school has invested in an appropriate range of resources to support pupils to learn effectively. For example, the proprietor body has invested in commercial

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Main inspection findings

curriculum programmes and resources to support the planned curriculum. Paragraphs 3 to 3(j)  The school will provide an adapted curriculum offer for each pupil. The curriculum will include different approaches to support pupils’ SEND. The school can demonstrate how to adapt curriculum planning to meet the individual needs of pupils. Paragraph 4  The school has appropriate curriculum and assessment policies. The policies outline provision to measure pupils’ wider development and personal progress. The school will use pupils’ education, health and care (EHC) plan targets in their overall assessment of pupils’ academic and personal progress.  All independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to continue to be met if this material change is accepted. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  The school has considered carefully the curriculum for key stage 1 pupils’ spiritual,

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Main inspection findings

moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. Curriculum plans are designed effectively to enhance pupils’ SMSC understanding.  The school recognises the importance of developing pupils’ self-knowledge, self- esteem and self-confidence through its ‘my emotions’, ‘my future’ and ‘life skills’ programmes.  The school has planned to provide a wide range of activities to enrich pupils’ learning and to support their personal development. These include educational visits to local places of interest to learn about their community and cultural activities to develop pupils’ understanding of different faiths.  All the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if this material change is accepted. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  The proprietor body ensures that the school has robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place. For example, the safeguarding policy takes account of the most

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Main inspection findings

recent legislation and guidance.  The proprietor body understands its statutory responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. The school has developed well-thought-out procedures to report, record and monitor any concerns about pupils’ welfare.  The proprietor body ensures that all staff undertake appropriate safeguarding training with regular updates. Safeguarding training is an important part of a staff member’s induction to their role. Paragraphs 11, 12 and 14  The proprietor body ensures that there are appropriate procedures in place to keep pupils, staff and any visitors to the school safe. The school has a detailed health and safety policy. This documents staff roles and responsibilities and how the school will continue to comply with relevant health and safety laws.  The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The proprietor body has commissioned an external agency to conduct a detailed fire risk

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Main inspection findings

assessment of the school premises. The school has acted on the feedback from this risk assessment to make further improvements to the school premises.  The school intends to appoint additional staff if the proposed increase in capacity is accepted. Current staffing is sufficient to ensure that the current number of pupils are properly supervised throughout the school day. Paragraphs 16, 16(a) to 16(b)  The proprietor body ensures that the school follows an effective risk assessment process. The school has a risk register with a wide range of risk assessments. Risk assessments identify potential risks and hazards inside and outside the various parts of the school premises. Risk assessments also detail the actions that will be taken to mitigate risk. This includes considering pupils’ specific SEND.  All the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if this material change is accepted. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3) to 18(4)(c), 20(1) to 21(3)(b) and 21(6) to 21(8)  The proprietor body ensures that that the school has robust safer recruitment procedures in place. The school uses an appropriate range of checks to ensure that adults are suitable to work with children.  The school does not make use of any supply staff. However, it has a clear understanding of what checks would be needed if it did.  The school ensures all required suitability checks are made on members of the proprietor board and contractors.  The school uses an electronic single central record. This is well maintained and checked periodically by the chair of governors.  All the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if this material change is accepted. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1) to 23(2), 24(1) to 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The school premises have an adequate number of toilets and washing facilities for the

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Main inspection findings

proposed number of pupils. This includes separate changing facilities with showers for boys and girls. There are a number of mixed-use toilets and disabled toilets with floor to ceiling doors in the primary and secondary teaching areas.  The school has a small number of mixed-use toilets for key stage 1 pupils with floor to ceiling doors. Appropriately sized washing facilities are in place in each.  Pupils access ground floor changing facilities. These are separate for boys and girls to use. Showers are installed in each area.  There is an accessible medical room for the short-term treatment of pupils. The medical room has a sink and medical bed and is located near to a disabled toilet.  The school premises are presented to a high standard. They are well maintained. There is adequate external lighting to ensure that people can safely enter and leave the premises.  Classrooms and communal areas are bright, engaging and have adequate room for

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Main inspection findings

small groups of pupils to work and socialise in suitable acoustic conditions. The school premises include adequate space for staff and pupils to work one to one.  The school premises provide sufficient space for pupils to play and learn. There is ample indoor and outside space to cover the academic, SMSC and physical education curriculums.  All the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if this material change is accepted. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school has published its safeguarding policy on its website. The proprietor body ensures that this policy is updated at least annually.  The standard in this part is likely to continue to be met if this material change is accepted. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(2)  The proprietor body has developed the school site to accommodate its proposed changes. At the time of the material change inspection, there were 42 pupils on roll.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders propose to increase this number gradually to 80 pupils. This includes gradually admitting up to 16 pupils in key stage 1.  There is sufficient school space to accommodate the proposed changes, while ensuring the welfare and safety of pupils. Additional staff are being appointed in readiness for the admission of more pupils.  The proprietor body and the headteacher demonstrate a secure understanding of the independent school standards and how to ensure that these are met consistently.  All the standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if this material change is accepted. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor body ensures that school has a written accessibility policy and action plan in place. This includes the provisions to accommodate and support pupils aged five to 19 years. The accessibility policy and action plan demonstrate effectively how the school will meet its statutory responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

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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

School status Independent special school

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £65,000 to £95,000

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School details

Email address barton@optionsautism.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 10 to 12 May 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 8 to 19 5 to 19 5 to 19

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 42 80 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 42 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 42 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 42 80

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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 42 80

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 7 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 6 8

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Information about this school

 The school is in Barton-upon-Humber in North Lincolnshire. It is housed in a range of refurbished and purpose-built premises within attractive landscaped grounds.  The school was registered with the Department for Education (DfE) as an independent special school in September 2006.  The school’s last standard inspection was in May 2023 when it was judged to be good overall.  Options Barton is an independent special school within the Outcomes First Group. The school provides education for pupils with autism. All pupils have an EHC plan.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned this inspection to check the suitability of the school’s premises for the material change and whether the school can accommodate an increase in pupil numbers. The proprietor body would like to increase the maximum permitted number of pupils on the school roll from 45 to 80 pupils. In addition, the proprietor body would like to change the current permitted age range of eight to 19 years to an age range of five to 19 years.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of this particular change that the school has applied to make.  The nature of the material change will not affect the educational provision on offer to pupils.  To check compliance with the independent school standards, inspectors had a tour of the school premises. The inspectors also reviewed the school’s fire safety arrangements and several related policies. These included the health and safety policy

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Information about this inspection

and risk management policy.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, an inspector reviewed the school’s single central record and met with the designated safeguarding lead. An inspector also spoke with the chair of the governing body about the safeguarding culture in the school.

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Inspection team

David Mills, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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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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