Elysian, Liss

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1) – 2(1)(b)(i)  At the full inspection in June 2024, inspectors found these independent school standards (the standards) to be un-met. The proprietor had not ensured that there was a coherent curriculum policy, or that detailed curriculum plans were in place. The curriculum was not sufficiently coherent, and pupils did not learn the important knowledge set out in the curriculum.  After the inspection, the Department for Education (DfE) required the proprietor to produce an action plan to address the weaknesses identified. In their action plan, the proprietor undertook to carry out several actions to improve the quality of education that are now largely underway. The plan contains measurable milestones relating to the necessary improvements in the curriculum, however, not all of them have been completed.  The school has reviewed and rewritten its own curriculum policy. The policy now

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Main inspection findings

identifies clearly how pupils’ learning will develop over time and how the school will ensure that individual pupils’ needs are identified and met.  The school has undertaken a comprehensive curriculum review and has made substantial changes to the structure and content of the curriculum.  Subject leaders have identified precisely what they intend to teach pupils in each of the eight curriculum areas taught across the school. Detailed curriculum plans are now in place and staff have access to these via portable devices. This means that they can be accessed in any learning space, including in the indoor riding school and the paddocks.  Pupils follow one of three discrete pathways and can gain functional skills qualifications in English and mathematics. They can complete other learning alongside this, including project-based learning, animal care and equine skills.  These requirements of the standards are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(f)  These standards were judged to be un-met at the previous inspection because the ambition of the curriculum was too low. Learning did not build over time to help pupils know and remember vital skills and knowledge. The curriculum was found not in line with pupils’ ages or abilities and teachers did not always have a clear understanding of what pupils already knew or found difficult.  The focus on learning has been strengthened as a result of the school’s work to develop the curriculum, however, this still requires further work. The school has developed new systems to check that pupils complete tasks designed to meet the curriculum’s aims. However, too often pupils participate in activities that do not build knowledge and skills over time precisely enough.  The school has recruited and appointed several specialist teachers since the pevious inspection. Teachers now skilfully use their subject knowledge to present information

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Main inspection findings

clearly. Professional development is improving and provides staff opportunities to share vital skills and knowledge. The school’s new approaches to teaching and assessment are beginning to be embedded.  Lessons, although largely purposeful, do not ensure that pupils revisit and practice vital skills regularly enough. This means that staff do not ensure that pupils learn and remember critical information and revisit this regularly to deepen understanding.  The environment for learning is much improved. Resources continue to be developed, for example, the school is in the process of refurbishing a computer suite to support learning on computers.  Although positive, the changes that the school has made are relatively new. There have been very clear improvements, but these are too recent for their impact to be clear. The school is part-way through their own evaluation of the improvements.  These requirements of this standard remain un-met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7-7(b)  Safeguarding was found to be effective at the previous inspection. This continues to be the case. The safeguarding policy is fit for purpose and published on the school’s website. The school ensures that it is implemented consistently.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) and 34(1)(b)  These independent school standards were not met at the previous inspection. The proprietor body had not ensured that all the independent school standards were met consistently. The oversight of the quality of education lacked rigor and quality assurance processes were not sufficient to ensure that the weaknesses in the school’s curriculum were addressed in a timely manner.  The proprietor body has acted swiftly to ensure that oversight and challenge has improved rapidly. The newly appointed director of quality assurance and compliance, appointed shortly after the previous inspection, has bought a suitable level of rigour to the proprietors quality assurance. Regular monitoring of the curriculum and pupils’ achievement is ensuring that the school remains focused on the areas where there is most need for improvement.

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Main inspection findings

 The school responded positively to the last inspection, made changes rapidly and continues to make improvements to teaching spaces. New staff appointments have strengthened the expertise and knowledge of the staff team.  The proprietor has responded positively to the previous inspection and has put in place sufficient processes to ensure that the quality of education provided at the school continues to improve. The school has done, and continues to do, all it can to actively support improvements in learning. New frameworks for monitoring and auditing the curriculum and other vital areas of the school’s work are now in place.  The proprietor and governors, through their own detailed analysis and advisory board meetings, have a realistic and accurate view of the school’s current position. They are determined that the school will continue its rapid imrpovement. There is now sufficient expertise and capacity for this to be the case.

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Main inspection findings

 These standards, however, remain un-met as there is still further work to do to embed the improvements to the curriculum.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous 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

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Proprietor Elysian Animal Assisted Interventions

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 25 to 27 June 2024

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Information about this school

 Elysian, Liss is a special school catering for pupils with a variety of social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils at the school have an education, health and care plan and their places are funded by the local authority. It is registered to take up to 45 pupils.  The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  A standard inspection was conducted in June 2024. The school was judged to require improvement and three of the independent school standards were not met.  The Department for Education required the school to prepare a statutory action plan due to non-compliance with the independent school standards identified during the emergency inspection. This was evaluated by Ofsted and accepted as being fit for purpose.  This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the standard inspection. The inspection was carried out with no notice.  The inspector met with the headteacher and deputy headteacher of the school. She also

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Information about this inspection

met with the chair of governors and the head of quality assurance and compliance. The inspector toured the school and reviewed the school’s website. She checked the single central record and considered a range of documentation associated with the independent school standards checked during the inspection. The inspector spoke informally with pupils and staff during the day.

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Inspection team

Linda Culling, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range;

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and 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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child's school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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