Hopedale School

School material change inspection report

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Hopedale School Hopedale House, Off West Drive, Cheddleton, Staffordshire ST13 7ED

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b), 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place. The child protection and safeguarding policy takes account of the most recent guidance issued by the Secretary of State. It is published on the school’s website and is available to parents and carers on request.  Safeguarding procedures are effective. Leaders follow up on any concerns swiftly and record their actions appropriately. The school’s records show that safeguarding leaders work proactively with multi-agency professionals in order to keep pupils safe. Staff receive regular training and updates, based on important contextual issues, such as knife crime and online safety.  There is a thorough induction programme that provides new staff with the necessary safeguarding knowledge they need to keep pupils safe.  The safeguarding team meet on a regular basis to monitor pertinent cases. They

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Main inspection findings

adapt the range of support needed to keep pupils safe from harm. The school swiftly reports safeguarding matters to the proprietor. The safeguarding processes are robust to effectively manage the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Paragraph 11, 12, 14  The school takes a rigorous and systematic approach to health and safety. It ensures that the relevant health and safety laws are met through its policy and practice. The school has thorough systems in place to record weekly, monthly and quarterly checks. The proprietor reviews these systems to ensure the school is consistently compliant with the standards.  The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire risk assessment has been carried out by a competent person. There is clear signage throughout the school to indicate emergency exits. Fire safety equipment is suitably located throughout the building. A regular programme of tests

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Main inspection findings

and checks are in place.  The school conducts regular fire evacuation drills. The assembly points are clearly marked in the school’s outdoor space.  The school has appropriate supervision of all pupils. The current staffing structure ensures that pupils’ needs are adequately met. For example, staff greet pupils when they arrive each morning to ensure they settle well into the school day. There is additional capacity in the current staffing levels to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Paragraph 16 to 16(b)  The school has an appropriate written risk assessment policy. It sets out how risks will be measured, mitigated for and recorded.  The school has an extensive number of risk assessments in place, including for any off-site visits. These are fit for purpose and regularly reviewed and updated. The school creates tailored risk assessments for each pupil.  The independent school standards (the standards) are likely to be met should the

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Main inspection findings

proposed material change be approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(6)  The school carries out all required pre-employment checks on new staff. It makes sure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Checks on school leaders, proprietors and governors have been carried out to ensure that they are not barred from running a school.  The school does not employ any agency staff. However, it knows which checks to make should the school engage agency staff.  The school maintains a well-organised electronic single central record. It complies with statutory legislation outlined in ‘Keeping children safe in education 2024’. This is well maintained and checked for compliance regularly and systematically by the proprietary board.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if

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Main inspection findings

the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The school operates from one main building with additional specialist classrooms located on the same premises. The building also has several breakout areas and therapy rooms. There is ample outside space for pupils to play and undertake physical education (PE).  The proprietor body ensures that the school’s premises and accommodation are maintained to a high standard. The school’s premises and accommodation provide a safe and healthy environment for pupils and staff.  The premises have suitable toilet and washing facilities. Toilet facilities are intended for use by one pupil at a time and will be able to be locked from the inside. There are suitable changing and shower facilities for pupils over the age of 11 who will receive PE. The hot water in these facilities is of an appropriate temperature.

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Main inspection findings

 Learning spaces are well resourced. Some classrooms have interactive white boards. There is an art and craft studio and a large dining room. All teaching rooms have good levels of lighting and suitable acoustics. There is appropriate external lighting for the site.  The school has two dedicated medical rooms, which are located near to a toilet facility.  Pupils have access to drinking water during the school day. There are numerous drinking water taps around the school.  The proprietor body has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to (34)(1)(c)  The proprietor has put in place established and rigorous quality assurance systems and processes. Leaders possess the knowledge and skills they require to perform their respective roles.  There is a clear rationale for the material change application. There is a high demand

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Main inspection findings

for places from the nine local authorities that the school works closely with. As a result, the proprietor intends to increase the numbers on roll by 30 pupils. It intends to recruit additional staff and increase pupil numbers gradually over the next 18 months.  The proprietor has extensive experience of running successful independent schools. It is committed to providing a high quality of education and pastoral care to vulnerable pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The standards in part 8 are likely to be met if the proposed material change is approved. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor body ensures that the school complies with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  The school has an appropriate curriculum in place to meet the needs of children in the early years.  Staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively teach the early years

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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

Proprietor Hopedale Children and Family Services Ltd

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £33,959 to £90,937

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 16 to 18 May 2023

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recommendation

Age range of pupils four to 18 four to 18 four to 18

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 69 100 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 69 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 69 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 69 100

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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 69 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 13 15

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 30 41

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Information about this school

 The school provides education for pupils with significant social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an education, health and care plan.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place in May 2023, when the standards were met, and the school was judged outstanding for overall effectiveness.  Changes to the school’s leadership have occurred since the previous standard inspection. The current headteacher took up their post in June 2024.  Nine local authorities fund and place pupils at the school.  The school operates on one site: Hopedale House, Off West Drive, Cheddleton, Staffordshire ST13 7ED.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The DFE commissioned the inspection following the proprietor body’s material change request to increase numbers on roll from 70 to 100. The inspection focused on the standards with regard to the welfare, health and safety of pupils, the suitability of staff, and proprietors, premises and accommodation, provision of information regarding safeguarding, and the quality of leadership in and management of the school.  The purpose of the inspection was to check whether the school is likely to meet the relevant standards if the DfE approves the requested material changes.  The inspector met with the headteacher, senior leaders, the safeguarding team and two directors from the proprietor to discuss the proposed material change.  The inspector considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the standards are met.

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Information about this inspection

 During the visit, the inspector met with some pupils. Staff were also present during this meeting.  The inspector spoke to some staff and pupils informally.  The inspector toured the site with two directors from the proprietor.  The inspector scrutinised documents relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils.

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Inspection team

Wendy D’Arcy, 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

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Inspection team

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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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