Cambian Wisbech School

School material change inspection report

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Cambian Wisbech School Old Sessions House, 32 Somers Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 1JF

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  The proprietor body ensures that staff have regular safeguarding training and know how to report straightaway any safeguarding concerns. Staff are diligent in reporting any safeguarding issues to the designated safeguarding leads.  The school has robust systems in place to identify and address any safeguarding concerns in a timely and appropriate manner. Staff take swift action to seek advice and support from external agencies.  The school ensures that there is clear communication with parents and carers, so that any potential risk of harm to pupils can be mitigated.  The independent school standards (the standards) in these paragraphs were met at the previous inspection and are likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 11  The proprietor has ensured that all the required health and safety policies are in

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Main inspection findings

place. There are regular checks on health and safety at both sites. The proprietor makes sure that these checks are thorough so that the sites are safe and well maintained. Any areas requiring action are risk assessed and followed up appropriately.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 12  Both sites have fire risk assessments in place. These checks are detailed to ensure any risks are identified and addressed. At this inspection, it was noted that recent areas identified as requiring action had been rectified.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 14  On both sites, pupils are taught in small classes of up to six pupils. The average class size is approximately four pupils. There is currently sufficient staff already employed in the school to supervise the small additional increase in pupil numbers, should this

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Main inspection findings

material change be approved. However, the proprietor intends to recruit two additional staff members to support with pastoral care and the curriculum if the material change is approved to further increase pupil supervision and support. There is an induction process in place for new staff.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved. Paragraph 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  There are robust risk assessment systems and processes across both sites. These include appropriate risk assessments for off-site activities, such as the use of public spaces for recreation and local facilities used for physical education (PE) lessons.  Risk assessments are well considered and suitably tailored to the specific needs of pupils. They are kept under review and adapted appropriately as needed in order to mitigate risk for all.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1) to 18(3), 19(1) to 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(b)(iii), 21(1) to (21)(8)  The proprietor ensures that there are effective procedures in place for the recruitment and induction of new staff.  Staff who complete the background checks on staff and those responsible for governance are knowledgeable about safer recruitment requirements.  The school’s single central record is kept up to date and meets statutory requirements.  The school currently does not use supply staff. It understands the background checks that are needed if supply staff are required.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools  Paragraphs 22, 23(1) to 23(2), 24(1) to (24)(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1) to 28(2)(b), 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  Both sites have sufficient space to accommodate the material change if approved.  Classrooms are suitable to cater up to six pupils. The rooms are well lit and appropriately furnished. There is a spacious nurture room and music room at the Sessions House site. There are some unused rooms that could provide additional small group space if required. At the Anglia Way site, there is a large communal space that could also accommodate the material change if approved and a well-appointed art room.  Outdoor space is limited at both sites, especially at Sessions House. However, both sites have access to local outdoor facilities that do provide sufficient space for play and recreation. There is enough space at these facilities for the requested increase in

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Main inspection findings

pupil numbers if the material change if approved.  Both sites use a local leisure centre for their weekly PE lessons. This facility offers the school a large sports hall and access to showers and changing rooms that would be easily capable of accommodating the material change requested.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school’s website includes copies of all required policies, including for safeguarding. The safeguarding policy meets statutory requirements.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved.

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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 school and the proprietor have a secure understanding of the standards. They ensure that these are scrutinised and checked for compliance.  Since the last standard inspection, the proprietor and those responsible for governance have strengthened the systems used to hold leaders to account for the standards. As a result, there is effective oversight of these standards in place. The school improvement priorities are based on leaders’ accurate evaluation of these standards and the quality of education offered.  The school and the proprietor have given due consideration to the impact of any increase in pupil numbers on existing pupils and staff. They have demonstrated that they have the capacity to manage an increase in pupil numbers requested due to their well-established approach to managing the needs of current pupils at this school.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders were also able to demonstrate that pupils’ well-being is at the fore and this has been seen with improvements in pupils’ attendance and behaviour.  This standard was met at the previous inspection and is likely to remain met if the material change is approved.

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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) £44,000 upwards

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School details

Website www.cambiangroup.com/specialist- education/our-schools/semh- schools/cambian-wisbech-school Email address tawanda.madhlangobe@cambiangroup.com

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 5 to 7 March 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 7 to 17 7 to 17 7 to 17

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 44 50 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 44 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 44 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 44 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 44 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 44 46

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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

 Cambian Wisbech School is an independent day school for pupils with an education health care. It caters for pupils with social emotional mental health needs.  The school provides full-time education for its pupils. Many pupils have had a disrupted education prior to attending here.  The school operates across two sites: The Old Sessions House, 32 Somers Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 1JF and 3 Anglia Way, Wisbech PE13 2TY. If the material change is approved, the additional pupils would be placed at either of the two sites.  Since the last standard inspection, a new executive headteacher has been appointed.  The proprietor body provides the governance of the school.  The school currently uses two unregistered alternative providers to support its vocational curriculum offer. Pupils attend these providers for part of the week and then are at the school site for the rest of the week.  The last standard inspection took place in March 2024. At this time, the school was

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) in response to a request from the proprietor for a material change to be considered.  The school is currently registered for up to 44 pupils. The proprietor has requested that the DfE increase the school’s capacity to 50 pupils. This is the first time that the proprietor has requested this change.  The inspector met with the executive headteacher, representatives of the proprietor body and the deputy headteacher. The inspector checked the school’s single central record of background checks on adults working at the school. The inspector toured both school sites with leaders. The inspector also visited the local recreational and leisure facilities used by the school. A range of documents relating to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and school development were scrutinised.  The inspector sampled examples of risk assessments and some pupil and parent and

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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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