The Nook School

School material change inspection report

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The Nook School Knotts Lane, Colne BB8 8HH

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The designated safeguarding lead has ensured that there is a detailed policy for safeguarding in place. The policy provides clear guidance to inform staff on how to handle safeguarding concerns. Staff are supported to remain vigilant to any safeguarding issues through regular safeguarding updates and training. The school’s policy takes into account the most recent statutory guidance and is available to parents and carers on request. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school has effective measures in place to address the requirements of the independent school standards (the standards) for the health, safety and welfare of pupils. There is an appropriate risk assessment policy which is backed by comprehensive risk assessments, including for individual pupils’ needs.  The school has a relevant health and safety policy in place along with regular checks

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Main inspection findings

to ensure compliance with these standards. For example, the maintenance of the emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment and fire call points is carried out regularly. The school also has a comprehensive fire risk assessment in place.  The proprietor has considered the staffing ratios that will be needed if the material change is approved. They have a clear recruitment strategy in place to ensure that there will be adequate supervision of pupils if the material change is approved.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17 to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), and 21(5) to 21(6)  The proprietor ensures that all the required safeguarding checks for staff, including supply staff, are completed prior to them starting work at the school.

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Main inspection findings

 The checks for relevant qualifications, prohibition from teaching, section 128 and checks on staff returning from overseas are all in place.  The single central record is kept securely in electronic form and is a complete record.  The school ensures that it receives assurances that the checks on supply staff have been carried out by the agencies that it uses. The proprietor also ensures that the identity of any member of supply staff is checked by the school prior to their arrival.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material change is approved . Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The school’s site currently comprises of a single-storey block of three classes, a kitchen, offices and toilet facilities. All rooms are linked by a main corridor. The proprietor is in the process of refurbishing the premises. The renovated areas are

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Main inspection findings

finished to a high standard and the proprietor has stringent checks in place to ensure the entire premises are kept in a good condition.  There are separate toilet facilities for pupils and for staff. These can be locked from the inside. There is also a shower facility on site for use by pupils following physical education.  The proprietor has ensured that there is a suitable medical room. This is located in the headteacher’s office, which has a washing facility and is close to toilet facilities. All drinking-water throughout the premises is clearly labelled.  Classrooms are carpeted and the acoustics and lighting are suitable. There is external lighting for safe entry and exit.  There is a large outdoor space for pupils to access during breaktimes and for physical education.  The premises allow adequate space for the proposed increase in pupil numbers.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be met if the material

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Main inspection findings

change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor is well informed through the school’s detailed self-evaluation which provides a commentary on what is working well in the school and what could be improved upon. This is further strengthened by the quality assurance procedures that are in place to check the school’s compliance with the standards.  The proprietor ensures that there are effective arrangements in place for the well- being and welfare of pupils. There are systems in place for staff to get to know pupils well so that their individual needs can be catered for.  The school complies with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. For example, the school’s accessibility plan includes actions to ensure that all disabled pupils can be evacuated safely in the event of an emergency. In addition, the accessibility plan includes providing literature to parents in their home language where applicable. The

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Main inspection findings

school’s accessibility and equality plan is available to parents on request.  The proprietor has ensured that these standards are likely to be 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

Annual fees (day pupils) £53,602.56 to £76,412.16

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School details

Email address nook.headteacher@hexagoncare.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 30 January to 1 February 2024

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 18 11 to 18 11 to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 9 16 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 12 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 12 16

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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 12 16

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 3 4

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Information about this school

 The Nook is an independent girls school that is operated and owned by Hexagon care services. It opened in February 2019.  The school is located at Knotts Lane, Colne BB8 8HH.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in January 2024. This was the school’s second material change inspection. The first took place in February 2021.  The school provides for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. They are placed at the school by a range of local authorities.  The school makes use of one unregistered alternative provider for a small number of pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) in response to the proprietor’s request to make a material change to the school. The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether particular independent school standards in parts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.  The proposed change is to increase the number of pupils at the school from 12 to 16. The proprietor has undertaken some minor internal remodelling in the school to create two classrooms from one larger room.  In evaluating whether the school is likely to continue to meet the relevant standards, the inspector undertook a tour of the proposed premises, considered a range of documentation and discussed the proposed changes with leaders, including the headteacher and the proprietor. He also spoke with some staff and pupils.  The inspector met with the proprietor, headteacher, teachers and pupils to discuss

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Information about this inspection

safeguarding. He reviewed a range of safeguarding documentation which included the school’s single central record of checks on newly appointed staff.

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Inspection team

Steve Bentham, 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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