Oversands School

Progress monitoring inspection residential special school report

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Oversands School Witherslack Hall, Witherslack, Grange-Over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6SD

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Context of the inspection

This unannounced monitoring visit focused on the residential aspect of the school. The inspectors only inspected the social care provision at this school.

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Context of the inspection

This visit was carried out after Ofsted received concerns about children’s care. These concerns related to relationships between children and staff.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

During this visit, inspectors spent time speaking to some of the children, who told them that they feel safe, like staying in residential accommodation and feel able to speak to staff and voice any concerns they have.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Staff manage children’s behaviour well, using a therapeutic parenting approach. This is underpinned by consistent routines and boundaries. The head of care has thorough oversight of incidents and ensures that staff and children reflect on all incidents.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Leaders and managers ensure that staff have the appropriate training and skills to meet the specific needs of the children living in the residential provision. Staff are provided with relevant training, including behaviour management and behaviour de-escalation, and regular refresher training is available.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

Regular team meetings provide further opportunities for the staff to reflect on their practices to help them improve the quality of care they provide for children.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

The electronic system for recording concerns provides an effective audit trail that demonstrates how procedures have been followed and how practice is reviewed following incidents.

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Summary of the progress made in implementing the action plan

At this visit, Ofsted did not identify any concerns regarding children’s relationships with staff at the residential provision. Inspection Report Oversands School, 24/07/2025 Page 2 of 4

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Inspection team

Dave Carrigan Lead Social Care Inspector Colin Jones Social Care Inspector

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Information about this school

This is an independent day and residential special school at the edge of a small village in Cumbria. The residential accommodation comprises three houses on the school site.

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Information about this school

There is a headteacher at the school and a head of care who supports the residential provision. The head of care oversees the residential provision daily. She is appropriately qualified and experienced in her role.

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Information about this school

The school provides places for children between the ages of eight and 19 years. The school currently provides places for 76 children. Of these, 12 stay in the residential provision in two of the houses. The children access the residential provision on weekdays and weekends during term time.

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Information about this school

The residential provision was last inspected in November 2024. Inspection Report Oversands School, 24/07/2025 Page 3 of 4

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School details

Unique reference number 112452 Social care unique reference number SC040063 DfE registration number 943/6027

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School details

This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

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School details

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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School details

Type of school Residential special school Number of boarders on roll 9 Gender of boarders Mixed Age range of boarders 8 to 19 Headteacher Edward Sherratt Date of previous boarding inspection 19/11/2024 Telephone number 01539 552 397 Email address oversands@witherslackgroup.co.uk Inspection Report Oversands School, 24/07/2025 Page 4 of 4 regulates and inspects to 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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

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