Stafford Hall School

School material change inspection report

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Stafford Hall School Cheltenham Place, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 0AW

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  There is a safeguarding policy in place that is compliant with statutory guidance. It provides information about the designated safeguarding leads and how to report a concern. There is detailed guidance on identifying signs that a pupil is at risk of or suffering from harm. Staff are clear about how the policy is implemented in school. Paragraph 11  A comprehensive health and safety policy is in place and fully implemented. The school site is free from hazards. Regular checks on the building, grounds and classrooms take place and follow-up actions are completed in a timely manner. Paragraph 12  The proprietor ensures that the school is compliant with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. There is a file which contains details of all checks and certificates on the tests that have taken place. Checks take place

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Main inspection findings

regularly by external contractors as required. Paragraph 14  If the school is successful in its application to have 25 pupils on roll, it intends to recruit an additional five full-time equivalent staff. This is so that ratios of one member of staff to one pupil can be maintained in lessons and during social times throughout the day. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The risk assessment policy clearly sets out the requirements for completing risk assessments. The school implements a robust risk assessment policy to identify the potential hazards and mitigate against these. For example, the school makes sure that educational visits, subject-specific activities and different parts of the school site are assessed carefully. These have also been considered in relation to the material change application for an increased number of pupils on site. The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the material change is

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Main inspection findings

implemented. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(2)(f), 18(3)  All relevant checks on staff have been made. This includes, for example, enhanced disclosure and barring checks, prohibition from teaching checks, section 128 checks, medical fitness, right to work and overseas checks where applicable. Paragraphs 19(1), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(i)(dd), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(2)(e), 19(3)  Supply staff are occasionally used by the school. All relevant checks are made on staff in line with statutory pre-employment checks to ensure their suitability to work with children. Paragraphs 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii),

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Main inspection findings

20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c)  All relevant checks have been carried out on the proprietor body and school board. Paragraphs 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  All required checks that have been made are recorded accurately on a spreadsheet. The company intends to implement a consistent format for this across all schools to further aid quality assurance and checking processes.  The school is likely to continue to meet the standards in this part if the material change is agreed. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c)  The school has suitable toilet and washing facilities for pupils. Separate facilities are provided for boys and girls as all pupils are over the age of eight. There are three

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Main inspection findings

showers available for pupils to use if required.  There is sufficient space for pupils to change for physical education (PE). However, most PE takes place off site and there are changing facilities at each location. Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)  A medical room is in place and is close to a toilet and washing facilities. A new bed has recently been supplied. There are lockable cabinets for the storage of pupils’ medication and regular checks take place on these.  First-aid equipment is located around the school and is regularly checked to make sure that anything that has been used is replaced and that it remains in date. Paragraphs 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The school is exceptionally clean and tidy and well maintained. The recently renovated coach house has been refurbished to a high standard. The health and safety policy is implemented effectively to keep pupils safe.  Lighting and acoustics in all parts of the school are appropriate to support pupils’

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Main inspection findings

learning. External lighting is provided around the site and is in good working order and subject to regular checks. Paragraphs 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a) , 28(2)(b)  Drinking water is available from a cooler in the kitchen area and is labelled as such. It is always available to pupils. Water that is not suitable for drinking is labelled accordingly.  There is hot and cold water available, and the temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk. Paragraphs 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The outside space is attractive and purposeful. There are areas that pupils can use for quiet time, an allotment area, a swing and decked areas. There are also grassed areas for pupils to play and socialise.  There is sufficient space to accommodate the proposed increased number of pupils.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website. It is in line with statutory guidance and is suitable to safeguard pupils who attend this school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Leaders are experienced education professionals with a wide range of expertise in working with pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders have a strong knowledge of the requirements of the independent school standards, which enables them to ensure that the standards are consistently met. There are regular audits of the school’s compliance with the standards.  There are systems and processes in place which enable leaders to evaluate the quality of education in the school. Findings from quality assurance activities such as ‘book

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Main inspection findings

looks’, lesson visits and pupil voice help to inform training plans. This would remain the same if the number on roll was increased.  Minutes from school board meetings show that school leaders are challenged and supported. The school’s system for self-evaluation allows leaders at all levels to understand the school’s strengths and key priorities for further improvement.  The school has successful strategies in place to promote pupils’ well-being. The school intends to continue with these should the number of pupils on roll increase.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is implemented Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility policy and plan detail the school’s commitment to equality and making the curriculum, premises and information accessible to pupils with disabilities. This is enacted by ensuring reasonable adjustments are in place to enable full

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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) £77,817 to £104,616

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School details

Email address SHSadmin@youngfoundations.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21 to 23 March 2023

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 18 25 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 18 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 18 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 18 25

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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 18 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 20 25

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Information about this school

 The school’s most recent standard inspection took place in March 2023, and the school was judged to be good in all areas.  The school does not use any alternative providers.  The school operates over two sites. In addition to the Stafford Hall site, the school operates from Amisfield House, Amisfield Road, Halifax HX3 8NE  The school caters for pupils with autism.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to the school requesting to increase the maximum number of pupils from 20 to 25.  This was the first material change inspection to take place at the school.  The inspector met with school leaders, pupils and staff. She also met with the director of education for Young Foundations, the proprietor. She had a tour of the site to carry out a premises check, checked the school’s website and evaluated policies and their implementation to check the school’s likely continued compliance with the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Debbie Redshaw, lead inspector Ofsted 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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