Ash Meadow School

School material change inspection report

p.1

Ash Meadow School Jubits Lane, St Helens WA9 4RT

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is published on its website and reflects the most recent statutory guidance. The policy is regularly reviewed by staff who have an appropriate knowledge of safeguarding. Within the policy there is detailed information about the safeguarding systems and procedures in the school. There are additional considerations relating to the needs of pupils who may attend the school. The policy signposts staff to the relevant leaders should they need any advice regarding issues relating to safeguarding. Staff have a secure understanding of the whistleblowing procedures. Staff responsible for leading safeguarding have the additional training and expertise that they need to make sure that there is a strong culture of safeguarding across the school. Paragraphs 11, 12 and 16, to 16(b)  The health and safety policy reflects the school’s high expectations for creating a safe

p.1

Main inspection findings

environment for staff and pupils. There are well-considered systems in place to check ongoing compliance. Any maintenance issues that occur are swiftly rectified. Staff have a clear understanding of their responsibility to remain vigilant to any issues that could pose a risk to pupils.  Staff across both sites have had fire marshal training. The school uses a competent person to service and audit the fire-fighting equipment. The school has responded quickly to the points for action raised in the fire risk assessment. Regular fire drills take place with analysis of any points for action. The proprietor has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  The risk assessment policy clearly sets out how staff should identify and mitigate risks. Risks are identified appropriately. Staff take care to make sure that risk assessments reflect pupils’ individual needs and that they are fit for purpose. Risk

p.1

Main inspection findings

assessments are regularly reviewed, particularly when circumstances change. Paragraph 14  The school has a programme of professional development for all staff. It appoints staff with the relevant background and expertise to understand pupils’ needs and how to support them. Pupils are supervised appropriately by school staff at all points during the day. The proposed number of staff is suitable for ensuring that the increased number of pupils will be supervised appropriately.  The independent school standards (the standards) in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17 to 18(2)(e), 18(3) to 19(2)(d)(ii) and 19(3) to 21(8)  The school makes the required safeguarding checks on newly appointed staff. The checks are recorded accurately on the single central record (SCR). The proprietor checks the accuracy of the SCR through regular audits. Records relating to the proprietor are included on the SCR, as well as those relating to suitability for leadership and management.  Staff involved in recruitment have safer recruitment training. They are kept up to date with the most recent guidance. The school makes sure that recruitment checks are completed before staff commence employment.  The school makes sure that any agency staff have the correct recruitment checks. There are well-considered systems in place regarding this process. The school makes the relevant checks on any staff who have spent time overseas, in line with the

p.2

Main inspection findings

government guidance.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 23(1)(c), 28(1) to 28(1)(d) and 28(2) to 28(2)(b)  The premises are clean and well-maintained. The new building has been refurbished to a high standard to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The accommodation is on three floors and consists of classrooms, communal spaces, a dining room and teaching spaces with specific subject equipment, such as a music room. There are purposely designed and resourced outdoor areas for social times and physical education (PE).  The number of toilet and washing facilities are suitable for the proposed increased number of pupils on roll. Toilets are available for the sole use of pupils. They are all lockable from the inside. Water is set at a safe temperature and is available for hand washing. Drinking-water is available for pupils throughout the day and is clearly labelled.  There are purpose-built changing facilities for pupils to use for PE.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 24(1) to 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  There is a suitable medical room, which includes a sink and is situated near a toilet. The medical room contains a bed, a pillow and a blanket. There is a lockable fridge for the safe storage of medication, as well as a lockable cabinet. Administration of first aid and medication is recorded appropriately and stored securely. Staff have the appropriate training to administer first aid and medication. Paragraphs 25 to 27(b)  The accommodation is clean and tidy. The proprietor has taken care to consider pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities when considering the design, layout and resourcing of the environment. Sound and lighting throughout the buildings allow for a suitable environment for pupils to learn. There is external lighting that enables staff and pupils to leave the building safely during hours of darkness. Paragraph 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  There are purposely designed outdoor areas for recreation and PE. The school has

p.2

Main inspection findings

taken care to design the outdoor spaces to support pupils’ needs at their appropriate developmental stage.  The standards in this part are likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has established effective systems to check for compliance with the standards now, and over time. This includes regular checks on how the school protects pupils from harm. The school sets out its vision clearly and those in positions of responsibility have the relevant expertise to bring the vision to life.  The proprietor and leaders within the school are clear about the requirements of the standards. They have designed each aspect of the expansion plan carefully to maintain the high standards already in place should the request for the material change be approved.  The standard in this part is likely to continue to be met if the request for the material change is approved.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The accessibility plan reflects the school’s statutory responsibilities.

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Type of school Other independent special school

p.5

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £56,650 to £103,500

p.5

School details

Email address ashmeadowschool@brightfuturescare.co.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 11 to 13 July 2023

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 19 5 to 19 Not applicable

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 35 89 89

p.5

School's current position School's proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 35 89

p.5

School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 35 89

p.6

School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 35 89

p.6

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 35 89

p.6

School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 9 19

p.6

Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection was on 11 to 13 July 2023.  The school caters for pupils with autism and/or social, emotional and mental health needs. The school also provides for pupils with speech, language and communication difficulties. All pupils have an education, health and care plan. The school is registered to admit up to 35 pupils.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  Should the material change be approved, the school will operate from two premises. The existing site is located at Jubits Lane, St Helens WA9 4RT. The additional site is located at Elmfields Campus, 408 Clock Face Road, St Helens WA9 4QS.

p.6

Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned this material change inspection to evaluate the school’s likely compliance with the relevant standards if the DfE approves the proprietor’s request to increase its pupil capacity from 35 to 89.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of an increase of the school’s capacity since the school’s standard inspection in July 2023.  The inspector checked those aspects of safeguarding that directly linked to the material change application.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body. She also met with senior leaders.  The inspector made a tour of the site to check the suitability of the premises against the relevant standards.  The inspector met with staff and pupils to gather their views.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documentation and policies relevant to the material change request. These included health and safety, fire-safety and risk

p.7

Information about this inspection

assessment documentation. The inspector also checked documentation relating to safeguarding.

p.7

Inspection team

Jane Dennis, 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 .

p.7

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.

p.8

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 .

p.8

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.

p.8

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8