Serenity School Crawley

School material change inspection report

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Serenity School Crawley Atlantic House, Hazelwick Avenue, Three Bridges, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 1QQ

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6 Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The school has a comprehensive and compliant safeguarding policy, which is published on the school’s website. The policy is underpinned by the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024. The policy also makes clear what is expected of staff should they have concerns about pupils’ safety or well- being. This means current policies and procedures are already in place and effective.  The proprietor has implemented effective safeguarding systems and processes to protect pupils from harm. Leaders ensure that staff are well trained and understand their safeguarding responsibilities. The proprietor carefully tracks training to ensure that all training is up to date and staff are well equipped to identify pupils who are at risk.  The designated safeguarding team has completed suitable training that equips each

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Main inspection findings

member of the team well for the role. Detailed records are kept of the actions taken to support pupils’ well-being. When necessary, the team works with external agencies so that pupils receive the right support at the right time. Paragraphs 11 and 16 to 16(b)  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 comprehensive health and safety policy. This documents staff roles and responsibilities and how the school will continue to comply with relevant health and safety laws. Staff work diligently to ensure that the policy is implemented in full. The proprietor’s site team ensures that there are regular and ongoing checks on the site, fire safety and the condition of the buildings.  A full range of risk assessments clearly identify risks and who may be harmed. The assessments also provide suitable guidance on how to mitigate the identified risks. All

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Main inspection findings

risk assessments are reviewed in a timely manner and updated when necessary. Paragraph 12  The school buildings comply fully with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire signs, exits and extinguishers are clearly indicated and suitably located throughout the school’s buildings and outdoor learning spaces. The proprietor body has commissioned an external agency to conduct a detailed fire risk assessment of the school premises. This identified no further actions required. Paragraph 14  Pupils are properly supervised at all times in school. Ratios of staff to pupils are high to reflect the complexity of pupils’ needs. Those in leadership roles provide ongoing supervision and support when needed.  Leaders have thought carefully about how they will increase the number of staff to ensure that the levels of supervision will be sufficient should the material change be granted. They have considered how the number of staff, including those responsible

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Main inspection findings

for welfare, will increase over time to ensure that the quality of education provided is not compromised.  The school is likely to continue to meet the independent school standards (the standards) checked in these parts if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3) to 18(4)(c), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(4), 21(6) to 21(7)(b)  The school has an appropriate single central record of all the required pre- employment checks. The proprietor ensures that these checks are completed before a person takes a post.  The school has effective recruitment processes, which include gaining satisfactory references and undertaking medical fitness checks. A dedicated and knowledgeable human resources team from the group manages this, working well with staff on site to facilitate this process.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards checked in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)(a) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2) and 25 to 29(1)(b)  The school benefits from a large site which is maintained to a high standard. The school’s building contains ample space and rooms for the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The site has 24 dedicated classrooms, which includes three new classrooms. There are also a number of therapy rooms, an ICT suite, kitchen and a dual-use art and science room. Pupils can access lunch in two dining spaces.  The school has already prepared for the groups they are planning to establish in the new classroom.  Across the site, each class has the same purpose-built facilities to allow for the organisation of provision in small groups of up to 10 pupils. Classrooms are light and airy and have appropriate acoustic conditions. The school uses air conditioning to maintain a steady room temperature.

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Main inspection findings

 The building also has suitable additional toilets and washing facilities for pupils’ sole use. No water presents a scalding risk. The site has its own medical room. All buildings are expertly maintained by a maintenance team from the proprietor group.  The school’s settings benefit from large outdoor areas, which are appropriately fenced and managed. The school’s external learning spaces are well maintained. These provide plenty of space for pupils to play and learn.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards checked in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34 to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor body has developed the school site to accommodate its proposed changes. Its rationale for the material change is based on meeting the increased local demand on places for pupils who have additional needs.  The proprietor has developed a robust framework of checks, balances and accountability measures, including clear reporting systems. They have high expectations of themselves, their staff and pupils.  Leaders have plans to manage the increased capacity and mitigate any risk of a negative impact on the current provision.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards checked in this part if the school receives approval for the implementation of the material change.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £41,000 to £59,000

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School details

Email address crawleyoffice@serenityschool.org.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 28 to 30 November 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 18 5 to 18 5 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 180 210 210

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 180 210

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 180 210

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 180 210

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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 180 210

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 94 104

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 13 13

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Information about this school

 Serenity School Crawley caters for pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) needs, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and social, emotional and mental health needs. The school’s address is Atlantic House, Hazelwick Avenue, Three Bridges, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 1QQ  The school’s standard inspection was 28 to 30 November 2023, when it was judged to be good in all areas. This is the first material change inspection.  The school caters for pupils aged between five and 18 years of age. It is currently registered for 180 pupils.  All pupils have an education, health and care plan. They are referred to the school by their local authority, which funds their place. Most pupils have missed a significant amount of time in school previously.  The school currently uses one unregistered alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education because the proprietor has applied to make changes to the school’s registration. The proprietor wishes to increase the number of pupils permitted to be on roll.  This was the first inspection regarding this particular material change.  The inspector met with the headteacher and had brief discussions with staff as she toured the school. She also met with the representative of the proprietor.  The inspector toured the school site.  The inspector met with leaders to discuss a range of the school’s work, particularly with a focus on increasing the number of pupils who attend the school.  The inspector checked a wide range of policies, records and documentation in relation to the specific independent school standards that were checked at this inspection.

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Inspection team

Laura James, 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

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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Inspection team

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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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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